PGY-1

[juniordoc84]

Post graduate year -1

first year of residency,i cannot tell the amount of stress i'm facing here,after just finishing my intern years and applied for the match here and got the residency of my dreams "neonatology" that was when the happy days was over.

I am spending my first month in 30 hour shift every 48 hours between resuscitation rooms and level 1 NICU with loads of assignments,rounds to attend and skills to learn.

so any ideas for surviving those days

[Stefan Johansson]

Firstly, discuss your situation with other residents in the same situation. Doctors have a tendency to say that "life was bad for me, now it is bad for you". That must not be the case. Strive for even small improvements for yourself and your current colleagues, as well as for future residents.

Secondly, every resident is worth a good mentor! Residency in neonatology can be very stressful - you will face a lot of work, difficult decision-making, and sad/happy moments - and you need a senior doctor for discussions and support regarding all various matters.

Thirdly, work load is high for all staff in neonatal care... BUT hours get better with time. It may sound crazy but most people (incl you!) can live with poor working conditions for some time. Once you're qualified, working life gets better.