5 Things I wish I knew BEFORE Starting Residency

Residency is really intimidating for medical students because there are so many unknowns. Here are 5 things I learned along the way that I wish I had known beforehand. Special thanks to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine for producing this video with extra special thanks to Kristofor Long for directing and editing and to Thomas Berra! Checks out the SLU School of Medicine on instagram @SLU_SOM

[Azian]

As a new Intern: listen to your team, especially if they’ve been doing things for awhile. A senior/charge nurse, RRT, pharmacist, OT, or social worker can be a wealth of knowledge, recommendations, and advice on how to devise a plan of care.

[Chris-zsdc]

Can we get this man an Oscar for his performances

[ConanLiuMD]

Wow love the upgrade in production quality!! I still want the very personal selfie videos too but this is a cool change of pace and very enjoyable to watch. I'm a second year resident right now and agree with all the points you made. For me the biggest thing I wish I knew before residency is how difficult learning the EMR would be (still working on this every day) and also how much goes into coordinating what you think would be simple things like making sure a patient has follow-up after they leave the hospital. There's so much to keep track of and it takes such a huge team to make sure everything gets done!

[wendy]

Tip expanding on #3: Be nice to the non-clinical staff like the admissions staff, culinary, housekeeping/EVS, maintenance, etc. - we're often overlooked and underestimated sources of knowledge and resources. We remember who treats us like humans and not underlings, and we really actually like going the extra mile to help and hook up those who are kind. This applies to staff, patients, and patient family alike 😁

[FoughtTheLawn]

Every time you mention social work in your videos, my ego inflates a little 🤣 love the representation you give other disciplines!

[samrusoff]

Daaaamn doc, you're a bonafide commerical actor now!

[Britney.J]

I actually feel ok when my doctor says I don't know but we're doing everything we can to learn more or find out. It makes me feel like they're more trustworthy for noting that they're human too.

[LivingDeadGurlXXX]

You know...whats the coolest part about being a chronically ill patient practically living in a learning hospital since she was a little kid? You get to see and experience the med students come in, make rounds with their attending professors teaching them in front of you and they always ask you if they can please use you for a learning experience. The coolest part about this...was not only having helped be a part of their experience towards their medical journey since your childhood...but having grow up and seeing them become your doctor. Its...the coolest and best experience. My favorite GI doctor...I met him in pediatrics as a teen. We bonded over the fact that he had crohns disease too. Was a med student. Couple of years later. My GI leaves for Boston. In comes a new guy. Looks super familiar but I say nothing cuz I couldn't pin point from where. He says nothing either. We bonded over video games down to earth dude. The next visit as he's typing on the computer about my last hospital admission he stops and looks at me and goes "You...don't remember me do you? We met before. I was a student then. I was doing doing rotations then and was on Pedi GI. I met you in the ER. We talked about Crohns. Remember? Green team? Langshaw?" And I was like "omg! Look at you!!! Ahhhh!! I'm sooo proud of you!! Come here!!" And he said he had to put med school on hold he had a flare but beat the odds and now gets to do the same for me. That's the best part. Seeing them become residents. Being a part of that. I've had a Doctor tell me they became a crohns specialist because of a crying little girl with a stoma who said "when I grow up I wanna be a crohns doctor so I can heal sick kids like me so they don't have to wear a bag on their tummy." I'll never forget hugging him soo tight in that elevator and him telling me that. We cried hugging. He was like "Omg now look at you! With babies! I didn't know if I was going to be GI with Dr. Celine, Dr. Fifi, Dr. Langshaw or be OB GYN or Ortho but when I saw you there crying saying those words after the stoma I said I know what I want to be. And look! I'm one of the few in the field here in peds! All thanks to you! I get to help kids just like you." He showed me his badge. I cried. "Crohns specialist." It was an incredibly special moment. When the elevator opened and we parted ways and I saw him leave to the office and I saw him meet up with Ann! The ARNP I grew up with from pedi GI when I was 7 years old...it made me feel...such a full circle kinda feel. I left and took my son to his clinic appointment with primary next door. I never got to achieve my dreams of being a specialist because of how sick I am but it's such a beautiful and amazing feeling to know that I get to help others achieve their dreams and accomplish their goals. I hear patients complain when the students come by or they shout "No! Go away!" and I always opt to help. Students? Sure come in! Gonna stab me a million times? I'm the hardest stick in the world but you get your experience go on ahead! 😀 They get soo intrigued with how complicated I am lmfao 🤣 Like I'm an alien.

[comonaocraftar]

High Definition Doc Schmidt doesn't exist, he can't hurt you
High Definition Doc Schmidt:

[youknowyouwanna]

Im an NP student in clinicals and this speaks volumes to me. Thank you!!

[miniciominiciominicio]

It makes me so happy to hear you mention Respiratory Therapists. :) Thanks Doc.

[tommiegirl]

Wow! Look at you, coming up in the world! And the info is as helpful as always... Standing ovation, Sir! 👏👏👏

[SaphiraTessa]

I am not studying medicine and have absolutely no desire to do so, yet I still watch this video with my full attention

[DSGodiva]

Thank you for this! As a hospital social worker I can tell you that nothing irks us more than a first year resident acting like they know everything. We all know you’re learning and that’s great! Please ask us questions. We’d love to help educate you instead of fighting with you.

[carsondudley]

It took me a solid 15 seconds to believe this was a serious video without any comedy. I love it!

[BrooklynSaunders]

Love how you pack so much info in your "informational" shorts. Also ur hilarious.

[rosebud]

My niece just started her pediatric residency in Birmingham AL at UAB. I know she’s so busy and I’d love to share this with her. She’s so happy and loves it! I am so proud of her. Oh and she’s exploring her new city, having graduated from Texas A & M. 😷

[sophiakhan]

Thank you! That video really helped, I’m premed and yet I’m still nervous.

[ejw]

respiratory therapist shout out! Love to hear those, no matter how few and far between they are lol

[aflowerthatbloomsinadversity]

Nurse here! I always loved helping/teaching new residents. If you’re willing to learn/ask questions, we’re willing to help 🥳 good luck to all the newcomers!!!