I like my new job :-)

chanste

Just thought I'd post the above since starting as an intern nearly 4 wks ago. In the current climate I think it is worth saying for the people who may think (like I once did) that the job of a doctor here is awful. How worried I was before starting is probably reflected in the many posts I've made to this forum.

I can remember for the last 4 years looking at these boards while in medical school and hoping when I logged in that I would see something slightly more cheerful than the usual... and it IS there when you look for it, but I just wanted to say it myself now and invite others to do the same if they are getting on well in there new jobs, to show those in med school at the moment that the job can actually be enjoyable.

I've found in the last 4 weeks or so that the sense of camaraderie with other doctors is very good. Having a supportive team helps immensely. Things which were a nightmare on day 1, are usually a lot easier now, most colleagues (nurses, physios, secretaries etc) are very supportive when finding your feet.

I think a lot can be said for the rotation/team you get, and I know some people have tougher experiences, but after wondering if I'd be able to cope with the job of being a doctor in Ireland for so long, I am now feeling much more optimistic, and that's a feeling nice enough to post about!

Vorsprung

Fantastic, great to hear!

RobFowl

Great to hear.
It was a while ago but I do remember the camaradarie in hospitals being really good and most staff at all levels were supportive.
Great social life as well ..........

Malmedicine

Op congrats. I also think you've hit the nail on the head, fearless/feckless leader, team and rotation choice make a massive impact on job satisfaction especially when starting out and while everything is swell at the moment a new changeover is only 2 months away and everything can change over a weekend.

Best of luck in any event.

TheKingslayer

chanste wrote: »

Just thought I'd post the above since starting as an intern nearly 4 wks ago. In the current climate I think it is worth saying for the people who may think (like I once did) that the job of a doctor here is awful. How worried I was before starting is probably reflected in the many posts I've made to this forum.

I can remember for the last 4 years looking at these boards while in medical school and hoping when I logged in that I would see something slightly more cheerful than the usual... and it IS there when you look for it, but I just wanted to say it myself now and invite others to do the same if they are getting on well in there new jobs, to show those in med school at the moment that the job can actually be enjoyable.

I've found in the last 4 weeks or so that the sense of camaraderie with other doctors is very good. Having a supportive team helps immensely. Things which were a nightmare on day 1, are usually a lot easier now, most colleagues (nurses, physios, secretaries etc) are very supportive when finding your feet.

I think a lot can be said for the rotation/team you get, and I know some people have tougher experiences, but after wondering if I'd be able to cope with the job of being a doctor in Ireland for so long, I am now feeling much more optimistic, and that's a feeling nice enough to post about!

when do you have to start applying for the GP schemes chanste?

Micky C

Hi Chanste, can I ask what county is your hospital in? What sort of hours do you pull in general and what team have you landed with? Coming from a worried medical student about to start 4th year.

chanste

Hi sorry didn't reply until now. I'm not sure when I have to apply for schemes. Not sure if I'll apply to the GP one myself. I'll probably try get on the medical scheme. Can I apply for both? I think the applications have to be in around Christmas.

I'm in Limerick.The hours I'm doing are typically 8.00am to 6 or so in the evening most days and then call is about 1 in 7 or so. I'm happy enough with the hours, but I really wish they would have more staff on for the on call shifts. Simply too much work to do for too few people. That said, I had a peculiarly quiet call last night. I hope I see many more like that.

gingerlad

you need to start applying for GP schemes just at the start of the new year. Can be competitive, so try to do some research or audit and some GP work experience before then. A course or two would be handy to add to the CV

Flange/Flanders

gingerlad wrote: »

you need to start applying for GP schemes just at the start of the new year. Can be competitive, so try to do some research or audit and some GP work experience before then. A course or two would be handy to add to the CV

Just a question in relation to GP training, the first 2 years in hospital, are they in particular rotations or things like emergency medicine and what sort of roster would you work in hospital?

Breezer

Flange/Flanders wrote: »

Just a question in relation to GP training, the first 2 years in hospital, are they in particular rotations or things like emergency medicine and what sort of roster would you work in hospital?

Yes they're in particular rotations, it depends on the scheme and the hospital. All GP trainees do medicine (often Med El) and Paediatrics (which can be ED or ward based, or both). Most will then do some combination of adult ED, obstetrics, psych, ENT, palliative, rehab. The roster depends entirely on the hospital and rotation: basically you're treated like any other SHO only you (in theory) have a half day of protected teaching time every week. This is mandatory to attend, though you may well have to fight for it and get your scheme to play hard ball - they tend to if required, unlike the hospital based schemes. GP is one of the better organised training pathways in Ireland though.