Orientation Tips
Written by Jennifer Rojas Huen, MD
As an incoming intern, you go through the excitement of matching, accompanied by some anxiety after the news settled in, the frustration of all the onboarding documents, and receiving your schedule assignment and information about orientation week.
Now orientation week is pretty relaxed in comparison to the expectations for intern year. Below are a few important tips for residency orientation:
Get to know your co-residents, your seniors, and your super seniors: I had the chance to meet my co-interns and a few of my seniors before orientation and it made a huge difference. When you become a senior resident, try to remember how it felt as an incoming intern and help make the interns feel at ease.
Listen, listen, listen: Orientation is a lot of information, and it goes from 0 to 100 real fast. You go from listening to lectures in orientation to having patients, morning reports, morbid mortalities, journal clubs, and a bunch of other responsibilities. So listen to what your seniors have to say - most of them say it will be hard, but it will be fine.
You will be overwhelmed: It is expected. I got a half-day orientation on how to handle the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Let me tell you though - the simulation lab did not feel as smooth for me, and that is ok.
Now the basics first, either way, you will probably get lost: I have a very supportive and understanding program, and the hospital personnel has been super kind. Remember to ask for a tour of the hospital if one is not on the schedule. Even though you will likely get lost many times after orientation, remember that you can always ask for directions in the hospital. Try to establish a “base camp” so that you know where the main classrooms, lobby, and lounge are located.
Don’t take too many notes: My program has given a lot of presentations. They also know we won’t retain more than 30% of them (or even 15% of the information!). I personally just take notes of fun little facts and tricks the residents and faculty have given me during lectures - maybe they will work or maybe they won’t, but it’s nice to have some tips written down.
There will be a lot of socializing: If you are a social butterfly, please send tips my way. If you are more on the shy side like me, just don’t panic. Be kind, be nice, be respectful, and try to remember the names of people.
Last but not least, just have fun. It is the beginning of a complex year, so try to enjoy it.
