Okay, here's a real question (or two, or three)

[wolfvgang22]

Recently the clinical coordinator from Gardner spoke to our class here on Saba. She said that there is no wait for a greenbook pediatrics rotation, as apparently was the case last year. She also said that it is not difficult to get greenbook by specialty rotations set up through the school in cores, and that long waits are unusual. (Electives are much easier to set up, she says.) I wonder if the experiences of current Saba students in clinicals matches up with these statements? How is it for you (all 3-4 clinical students actually reading valuemd...)?
She did stress that doing lots and lots of Kaplan questions is very important. That she needs to say that worried me a little....:lol:
ANY input is very much appreciated!

[islandhopper]

Recently the clinical coordinator from Gardner spoke to our class here on Saba. She said that there is no wait for a greenbook pediatrics rotation, as apparently was the case last year. She also said that it is not difficult to get greenbook by specialty rotations set up through the school in cores, and that long waits are unusual. (Electives are much easier to set up, she says.)

She did stress that doing lots and lots of Kaplan questions is very important. That she needs to say that worried me a little....:lol:
Ditto. I wonder why every time someone asks her questions about the clinicals, she always puts emphasis on doing lots of Kaplan questions....Could it be that she tries to dodge certain issues that doesn't want to be revealed?:confused:

[rdecastro]

Ditto. I wonder why every time someone asks her questions about the clinicals, she always puts emphasis on doing lots of Kaplan questions....Could it be that she tries to dodge certain issues that doesn't want to be revealed?:confused:

It could be also that getting good Step-1 grades helps with getting good clinical spots.

[DonnieMD2B]

Getting good step 1 scores are the key. She is a DO and went to a school that the students had to travel for clinicals and Step 1 scores determined a lot for her. So just to make us all feel better, even some US grads have to do the same thing. She also emphasized that, having MD behind your name will carry much less of a stigma than her own DO.

[islandhopper]

She also emphasized that, having MD behind your name will carry much less of a stigma than her own DO.
That is why I opted for a foreign MD degree than a US DO degree despite the fact that it's tougher to get a competitive residency:)

[miasma]

That is why I opted for a foreign MD degree than a US DO degree despite the fact that it's tougher to get a competitive residency:)
yup, same here.

[wolfvgang22]

Are there any saba students actually in clinicals with a comment?
Thanks again.

[wolfvgang22]

sorry, double post

[ChronoTriggerMed]

Don't worry, just tell her that you want to practice in Texas. She'll set you up with good clinicals. :D

[wolfvgang22]

Don't worry, just tell her that you want to practice in Texas. She'll set you up with good clinicals. :D
I appreciate your reassuring words, thanks.
Any Saba students currently in clinicals that have a take on this out there, as well?

[edoki]

Hi,
I have a question please, is it possible for Saba grads to practice in Texas? I have just moved to DALLAS area and hope to do my clinicals and practice here.

Two more days to hit the Island. Boarding 4 flights! Wao! It gonna be great fun.

Shalom!

Edoki

[Experienced]

It could be also that getting good Step-1 grades helps with getting good clinical spots. Bingo! As Donnie said, a lot depends on Step 1 scores. After all, that's what the Step 1 is, right? A show of how well you've mastered the basic sciences information, which might just be important to a potential clerkship site ;).

I've always found Sandy to be a no-** kind of person who is forthcoming with information. I don't think she has an ulterior bone in her body. Warning: it IS important that you ask her questions in a respectful way. Right, Val?

[ResearchingGuy]

Hmmmm...

Speaking as a student currently in clinicals, I'm not sure about the Green book Peds availability at the moment. Of course, I wasn't aware that our Clinical Coordinator has a DO either...

Next time she visits, ask her about specific locations. She is usually very forthcoming. Meantime, I don't know anyone who was forced to wait around (and not do anything) unless they just wanted to. She wants to get us through on time, so you will almost always have an opportunity to do something (it may not be in your first choice spot though).

My experience with electives has been a bit mixed thus far (that is, lining them up), but I have to say I haven't put the effort into it that I should. Coming up on that so I'll try to keep you posted.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Best of Luck!

[swinginislanddoc]

Hey RG.
I originally read that post to mean that Sandy was a DO as well - but then I read the subject line. Someone was talking about his employer, not Sandy.

As a current clinical student currently in Peds, I'd say that it may be pretty accurate info that she gave you. In anticipation of having to wait for my peds rotation I asked her early on to schedule me for Peds - within two days I had a spot. (I'm currently at Brookdale).

Step 1 scores and attitude are definitely key. Whether or not you can start clinicals before your get your step 1 scores depends on your performance during basic sciences and Kaplan practice tests. If you are a strong student she's more willing to put you in the rotations you want. If you are cooperative, play by the "rules" and show you're responsible you should have no problems.

Best of luck,
~S :cool:

[spaslam]

USMLE Step I scores matter for rotations; often they help determine where you go. Sandy uses the overall picture of your performance on Saba to help determine that also. Some rotations require scores over 200 on Step I.

My advice for anyone with contacts or willingness, contact a residency program nearest you, preferably Family Practice. If you develop a relationship with them, they may help you. I found at Maine-Dartmouth and Central Maine Medical Center, having contacts, and asking a lot of questions they have been very willing to help. Thus far, this has allowed me to set up all my cores except surgery without one day off! And surg is still pending...do some grunt work on your own it never hurts to ask and they liek to help local kids or people with other connections to them.

Remember, Family Practice is hurting right now--only about 50% of spots are filled by US Grads and many go unfilled. And FP is cool; you get to do a bit of everything. They are (a bit!) more laid back than other specialities; it's a good fit for me anyway. It gives you a chance to show off your knowledge and initiative.

[wolfvgang22]

Hey RG.
I originally read that post to mean that Sandy was a DO as well - but then I read the subject line. Someone was talking about his employer, not Sandy.

As a current clinical student currently in Peds, I'd say that it may be pretty accurate info that she gave you. In anticipation of having to wait for my peds rotation I asked her early on to schedule me for Peds - within two days I had a spot. (I'm currently at Brookdale).

Step 1 scores and attitude are definitely key. Whether or not you can start clinicals before your get your step 1 scores depends on your performance during basic sciences and Kaplan practice tests. If you are a strong student she's more willing to put you in the rotations you want. If you are cooperative, play by the "rules" and show you're responsible you should have no problems.

Best of luck,
~S :cool:
Thanks for your post. Is the peds rotation you are doing greenbook by specialty? Do you get a lot of hands on experience?

[swinginislanddoc]

It's Greenbook from what I know. It's one of the two NYC peds rotations that our school has that we're told are greenbook. I know that Joe Dimaggio (Sp?) down in Hollywood, where I did surgery, was not greenbook. Too bad, would have been a good place to do it.

As for hands on - a little. In the NICU the nurses are very protective of their babies and, well, they're tiny and fragile so you hesitate to touch them. In the ER you will call pts in and see them, present them to a resident or attending, depending on who is there. On the floor rounds we present our pts as well, but no matter where you are alot of it depends on what residents and what attendings you work with. It's also what you make of it - there are some students I've seen here (not Sabanites) who try to get away with a little work as possible. There are some who try to do it all. Just be a do-it-all person (on all of your rotations).

Okay, that was a long spiel from a simple question. ha!