4 Tips For New Residents

Going through a residency can be an exciting time of both professional and personal growth. But with any seasons of change, there can be a some huge growing pains as we push forward to a new level of expertise.

Here are four tips that I may or may not have learned the hard way!

It’s not personal

Okay, you are NOT going to get a long with everyone. It’s just how it is and there is not anything wrong with you or them. But….just because we don’t agree or get along with everyone, we still have to treat others professionally and with respect. Unfortunately, all of your attendings, preceptors and co-residents may not get that message. Many preceptors believe that the way they were taught and learned is the way that they have to teach. Attendings thing if you haven’t cried, you haven’t learned or if you aren’t working 24 hours a day, then you are not going to finish the program with the knowledge you need. Not so.

Nurses are going to give you attitude, preceptors are going to condescend, doctors are going to yell…..but, it’s not personal and move forward. I’m not saying this behavior is okay and if you feel you are being harassed, you should definitely speak up - I’m saying that their attitudes were there long before you got here and don’t let every one of these interactions get you down.

You will make a mistake

Ah, the stories you will tell. You may recommend a dose adjustment that doesn’t have the desired outcome. You may interpret a lab incorrectly. You may verify an order that has an interaction. These mistakes will happen and usually, you will have good hospital protocols and systems in place to prevent these….but some will fall through the cracks. And, if we’re being honest - your preceptors, attendings and other residents have likely made their own share of mistakes too. Every expert was once a beginner.

The important thing is not to let these mistakes define you. Though it may be embarrassing to your ego (and hopefully not result in patient harm!), you need to learn how to move forward, learn from your mistake and keep going.

One day at a time

When you get your schedule and see all of the projects that are ahead, that your hardest rotation coincides with Grand Rounds and that your staffing weeks are in the middle of a big project, it has the potential to put you into a panic attack. BUT, why are we worrying about something that hasn’t even happened? Put good practices into place now, don’t forget to take care of yourself (exercise, nutrition and sleep will give you the energy and decision-making skills that you need!), and take it one day at a time.

*Pro tip: Get yourself a very good calendar (I like Franklin Covey) that will help you plan ahead and write the due dates out of all your assignments.

HAVE FUN

Though it may not feel like it now, this may be a time you look back on with great fondness. Don’t forget to take days off and go out with friends once in awhile. Understand that the world is a much bigger place than the hospital you work and it’s not going to fall to the ground if you step away for a day or two. And, having a few laughs, making connections and having fun is not only good for your soul, it’s good for your long-term success as a pharmacist too. We need to build these moments to manage our stress and form those connections that will take us through our career.