Another post by Mr. Xlink
by Xlink, Jun 24, 2011 at
03:19 AM
March 21, 2010. The date I wrote my last blog to this site
before temporarily signing off. My attempt to find a residency position that
year unsuccessful. A dream shattered to many pieces and a spirit so broken it
took a while to overcome the feelings of helplessness and despair. A year
later, I can finally say I am one of the happiest men on this side of the
world. I got into a residency program and I get to stay in California. A happy
ending ending of a chapter that started 5 years ago.
To those who have not read my old posts, I came to these shores in search of a better life. I was in pursuit of the American dream. Having been accepted in the Anesthesiology program at UP-PGH after passing the local boards, I was set to start my MD career in the Philippines as a first year resident when a very tempting offer to work and live in America came my way. The price tag? Give up my training and become an RN. I took it in a heartbeat and became part of the exodus of RN-MD's migrating to the U.S.
The first 2 years came by too fast. I was just contented carrying out orders and doing routine tasks. Life was simple. The rewards more than enough for my needs. When not working the 12-hr shift, I was busy playing tourist. It was great.
As the novelty of living the American life wore off, I started to realize something was definitely missing. I felt that empty spot inside me whenever I took a hard look at myself in the mirror. I missed doing what I love most: Taking care of people beyond giving injections, a bed bath or answering calls. But it was the fear of failure that initially hold me back. I had been away far too long from medical school that I no longer had the cockiness and confidence to take major exams without sustaining anginal pains. I was afraid to risk again. When I finally mustered enough courage to take the Steps, I took 3 exams within the year and passed it. But barely.
On my 4th year in the States, I was ECFMG certified. I went for the Match that year with high hopes only to feel my world crashing when I did not make it. I thought I had a very good chance. It was a humbling experience. I failed and for a short while, I was convinced it was the end of a dream.
It took a lot of self talk and introspection before I was able to pull myself out from that dark phase. I took many roadtrips. Picked up a couple of hobbies. Healed myself in the process. When the pain became bearable, and acceptance took place, I went for another Match again better prepared and this time, I got lucky. It was a dream come true.
To those that think of going the same path as I did, I enjoin you to please take a moment to reflect on what I perceived as major mistakes so that you can make a better choice in your own career.
Mistake #1. I let my fear of the USMLE overwhelmed me. Despite being a very difficult exam., the USMLE is a standardized test. The key is adequate preparation and hardwork. Drop everything when you plan to take this test and just study. Even while still in medical school, use First Aid as one of your supplemental study material and take the test right after graduation if possible. I cannot stress enough the importance of scores when you are applying for a hospital. The numbers will either make or break you. I learned this the hard way.
Mistake #2. I waited too long before I finally decided to get back into residency training. Most hospitals in the US have a 5-yr cut off from the time you graduated from medical school to be even considered. It is non-negotiable in the majority of these programs and working as a nurse, researcher or even as a resident physician in one's home country will not count.
Mistake #3. I was not very clear about what program fits best my career goals in life. I was torn between Internal Medicine and Family Practice that I sacrificed my chances of being matched to a program in favor of one specialty.
Despite these shortcomings, I did not lose hope and continued to persevere. It was a very costly, time-consuming, and an emotionally draining exercise. Be prepared to sacrifice, burn a lot of money, and risk. One cannot do it half heartedly. You either go for it or you don't.
After I learned that I did not get accepted last year, I gave myself enough time to mourn and then prepared for the next Match. I beefed up my resume, rewrote a more compelling Personal Statement, talked to consultants for letters of recommendation, and drew up a list of hospitals that are ECFMG-friendly and which I had a better chance of being interviewed. I asked for help from previous teachers and from our school. I used whatever resource I thought would help me build a good case. I prayed harder.
With so many applicants competing (about 3,000 applicants for every program with 10 slots, 100 of whom are invited for interview), the chances are slim unless your numbers are impressive. Mine was not. I compensated with the other things I did. Clinical experience. Real life learnings. Skills. Confidence. In the end, it was what I wrote in my Personal Statement that caught the Program Director's attention.
During the interview season, I wore my most decent suit (trust me, this will be worth the investment and the money). My goal was to convince them that I am the right fit to their program. I tried to sell myself. It may be uncomfortable at first. We come from a different culture. But the goal is to say it with conviction and sell yourself. Being timid has no place in the Match.
March 20, 2011. Together with 12 other new residents, I started my Orientation this week and is proud to say, in the next 3 years, I will be working side by side with an alumnus and a former classmate from my alma mater. He is also an RN-MD who came to the US more than 5 years ago and graduated on top of my class. We both got accepted in the same program in California, and will be the first from our school to do residency in this facility. We both hope to resuscitate our calling to be healers, and with just the right dose of optimism, hard work, and faith, we are determined to bring our stalled career back to life.... ♥
To those who have not read my old posts, I came to these shores in search of a better life. I was in pursuit of the American dream. Having been accepted in the Anesthesiology program at UP-PGH after passing the local boards, I was set to start my MD career in the Philippines as a first year resident when a very tempting offer to work and live in America came my way. The price tag? Give up my training and become an RN. I took it in a heartbeat and became part of the exodus of RN-MD's migrating to the U.S.
The first 2 years came by too fast. I was just contented carrying out orders and doing routine tasks. Life was simple. The rewards more than enough for my needs. When not working the 12-hr shift, I was busy playing tourist. It was great.
As the novelty of living the American life wore off, I started to realize something was definitely missing. I felt that empty spot inside me whenever I took a hard look at myself in the mirror. I missed doing what I love most: Taking care of people beyond giving injections, a bed bath or answering calls. But it was the fear of failure that initially hold me back. I had been away far too long from medical school that I no longer had the cockiness and confidence to take major exams without sustaining anginal pains. I was afraid to risk again. When I finally mustered enough courage to take the Steps, I took 3 exams within the year and passed it. But barely.
On my 4th year in the States, I was ECFMG certified. I went for the Match that year with high hopes only to feel my world crashing when I did not make it. I thought I had a very good chance. It was a humbling experience. I failed and for a short while, I was convinced it was the end of a dream.
It took a lot of self talk and introspection before I was able to pull myself out from that dark phase. I took many roadtrips. Picked up a couple of hobbies. Healed myself in the process. When the pain became bearable, and acceptance took place, I went for another Match again better prepared and this time, I got lucky. It was a dream come true.
To those that think of going the same path as I did, I enjoin you to please take a moment to reflect on what I perceived as major mistakes so that you can make a better choice in your own career.
Mistake #1. I let my fear of the USMLE overwhelmed me. Despite being a very difficult exam., the USMLE is a standardized test. The key is adequate preparation and hardwork. Drop everything when you plan to take this test and just study. Even while still in medical school, use First Aid as one of your supplemental study material and take the test right after graduation if possible. I cannot stress enough the importance of scores when you are applying for a hospital. The numbers will either make or break you. I learned this the hard way.
Mistake #2. I waited too long before I finally decided to get back into residency training. Most hospitals in the US have a 5-yr cut off from the time you graduated from medical school to be even considered. It is non-negotiable in the majority of these programs and working as a nurse, researcher or even as a resident physician in one's home country will not count.
Mistake #3. I was not very clear about what program fits best my career goals in life. I was torn between Internal Medicine and Family Practice that I sacrificed my chances of being matched to a program in favor of one specialty.
Despite these shortcomings, I did not lose hope and continued to persevere. It was a very costly, time-consuming, and an emotionally draining exercise. Be prepared to sacrifice, burn a lot of money, and risk. One cannot do it half heartedly. You either go for it or you don't.
After I learned that I did not get accepted last year, I gave myself enough time to mourn and then prepared for the next Match. I beefed up my resume, rewrote a more compelling Personal Statement, talked to consultants for letters of recommendation, and drew up a list of hospitals that are ECFMG-friendly and which I had a better chance of being interviewed. I asked for help from previous teachers and from our school. I used whatever resource I thought would help me build a good case. I prayed harder.
With so many applicants competing (about 3,000 applicants for every program with 10 slots, 100 of whom are invited for interview), the chances are slim unless your numbers are impressive. Mine was not. I compensated with the other things I did. Clinical experience. Real life learnings. Skills. Confidence. In the end, it was what I wrote in my Personal Statement that caught the Program Director's attention.
During the interview season, I wore my most decent suit (trust me, this will be worth the investment and the money). My goal was to convince them that I am the right fit to their program. I tried to sell myself. It may be uncomfortable at first. We come from a different culture. But the goal is to say it with conviction and sell yourself. Being timid has no place in the Match.
March 20, 2011. Together with 12 other new residents, I started my Orientation this week and is proud to say, in the next 3 years, I will be working side by side with an alumnus and a former classmate from my alma mater. He is also an RN-MD who came to the US more than 5 years ago and graduated on top of my class. We both got accepted in the same program in California, and will be the first from our school to do residency in this facility. We both hope to resuscitate our calling to be healers, and with just the right dose of optimism, hard work, and faith, we are determined to bring our stalled career back to life.... ♥
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