Two Big Mistakes Graduating Medical Residents Make !

The two most common issues facing graduating medical residents are the ones that we will discuss in this post. As a graduating date is near, we all think about taking a break and also to postpone the medical board exams by an year or two. Why are these big mistakes? Lets find out.

Let us talk about taking a break after a medical residency program. Once we are through with the hard labor of medical residency program, the long hours, and the stress, which has haunted as for at least last three years, there is a natural tendency to take a break, To rest, to rejuvenate.

Lets consider the question of financial implications of taking a break after residency. Since you have not the started a Physician job, it is quiet clear that you will not be paid for this vacation time. Other thing to note is that your salary would almost quadruple after graduation. And so taking a break will cost you more than $10K for each month you do not work assuming your starting salary is $120K. This does not includes the money you will spend to enjoy that vacation. That makes it a very very expensive break!

You should rather start working at the physician job and then take a vacation maybe three to four months later which would be paid vacation at that time. So by delaying gratification by four months, you actually earned more than 15K. If you have a higher starting salary then 150K, then the stakes are even high.

The other issue to be discussed is the timing of your board examinations. Should you give board examination right after residency, or may be two or three years down the road?

The likely reason medical residents try to take a break is because of all the stress of examinations. But remember this stress is something that you have been used to already. So why not go through the stressful medical board exams, while you’re used to taking huge amounts of stress. Almost all hospitals require board certification for approving your privileges to the hospital. If you do not have privileges to the hospital, you cannot enter the hospital to work there.

The problem with delaying the boards is that the longer you are away from the residency graduation, the harder preparation you will need for the boards. It is the easiest to pass the medical board’s or specialty medical boards right after residency. Why? Right after residency the knowledge is fresh in your mind. That reduces the amount of readings you may have to do. Also it is the latest knowledge, which is most relevant for the medical board exams. Not to mention your recent practice in preparing for multiple in-house examinations does keep your efficiency at the highest.

So make sure you avoid these two big mistakes often graduating from the residency program. Number one, do not take a break right after residency whether to relax or to prepare for the board exams. It is not worth it. Number two, take your board exams right away.