Thread: All core rotations at one clinical center vs. multiple locations

Now that we have Nassau, its easier to do all our cores at one spot.

Since me and a whole bunch of AUC students are about to get our step scores and make decisions about where we are going to do our core rotations in the next few days, I would like to hear from anyone who has opinions about the relative advantages and disadvantages of splitting up core rotations at different hospitals, and what you would do if you had to do it all over again. Thank you. (i placed this thread in the general forum because this has significance for 4th and 5th semester students who are thinking about their rotations too)

Some areas I have considered are the quality of training, becoming familiar with general hospital procedures, LORs and clinical grading, general networking, etc.

Granted I am a couple of years away from clinical rotations but during my interview with Dr ******, I was told that even with Nassau it is still difficult to get peds and OB/GYN rotations done in the states, he suggested going to the UK for those two. Other than that staying in one place has all the perks you mentioned plus it is a hell of a lot cheaper than moving from place to place. Oh and he also told me that Nassau does not have psych available yet but that there are enough surrounding affiliates that is would not be a problem to get it done somewhere near by.

I think it's better to stay in one spot. You get to know the people, staff, students, computer system, the layout of the hospital. These are just a few things that in the long run make your life easier. It's easier to set up electives at the same site most of the time. I did 4 cores and a few electives at Lutheran. When I had to go to Wyckoff for peds I was totally lost. By the time I got a hang of things the rotation was over. In regards to housing if you're at one hospital you can look for housing near by, otherwise you can spend upto 1.5 hours travelling by subway/bus to the hospital if you split it up. Trust me, sometimes the commute tires you out more than the actual rotation. If you have the time to wait for the site where you can do all your cores then do it, if you are in a rush to make the match and just want to start cores then you just may need to deal with multiple sites. i'm glad I waited. Good luck.

thank you ckbuffalo

i would try to do some rotations at different hospitals...it is nice to do all rotations in one spot but you need to be able to relocate quickly for residency because many times you will find that you will be moving between two or more hospitals for rotations or between two or more office locations...each with its own computer system, personel, rules, forms, procedures and so on.

moving between hospitals during clinicals gives you taste of what its like while you still have zero responsibility. now you don't need to change cities for the experience just hospitals. even if you do all your cores at one place i would suggest ding two electives away to see what its like.

i did all my cores at one spot then did electoves at 3 hospitals and the experience i got getting used to all the new stuff was invaluable. i have so far done time at 3 different hospitals, 8 departments, and 5 different outpatient clinics so it does come in handy