Kings County, NYC

[Doct51]

Know what the messed up part about the whole ER situation at Kings. The 2 guys in charge for residency are both FMG's. I met the assistant to the program director, I forgot his name but he told me to not even bother applying even with my high board scores because they don't take any FMG's for ER residency. He said they used too but Downstate put a stop to it. Kinda messed up, it's like they forgot where they came from. I hate people like that. I have more respect for American grads who become program directors in competitive fields and take fmg's. Downstate does take fmg's for residency in Medicine though and I'm sure in other fields as well.

[TheeeGod]

Anyone know who to contact to set up an elective an King's now that S.P. is gone? I have the form, etc. filled out and just need a live person. Anyone got a number? place? name? etc. thanks!

[thethom]

LOL that form was made by S.P., and just for S.P.

[medboundman]

what are the hours for the IM and psych rotations cause I just got assigned to them...would it be worth it to live in manhattan and go to kings or should i find something in brooklyn?

[shutterbugmd]

you should just get a room IN the hospital. from what I've heard from friends that did IM there.. the hours are crazy... 5.30am till..........

Psych is pretty good though..

[thethom]

Haha... I did medicine at Kings. In the beginning you'll take a lot longer to get stuff done, so 5:30 to 7 was not uncommon, with overnight call q4d. I've been there till 11 pm some days. There are rooms in the T-building of the hospital complex, but theyre not so great, get an apt in the area, nearby, along the 2 or 5 train line (if you take the subway) would be best because you'll be getting there earrrlyyyyyyy. Study your butt off NOW, and then be prepared to learn 10X as much while you're there. No residents, so YOU do EVERYTHING a resident would do. I have been rotating for a year since Kings, and no other rotation has ever come CLOSE to the autonomy and responsibility you will have at Kings. Best of luck and holla if you have any questions.

PS Be prepared to lose about 10 pounds and not have time to talk to friends and family in the beginning LOL...

[RIRossStudent]

I believe that King's County IM is a very good rotation, however, I do not believe that it is suitable for 3rd year medical students. I think that during your third year you should have responsibility for a few patients (not all 10 of them) and the focus should be learning clinical knowlege. I believe that is why there is a 4th year of medical school so that you can do rotations that assume my responsibility and clinical autonomy, but I do not believe that this is very useful during your third year.

[thethom]

One thing that I believe is important is that unless pushed, people in general will assume mediocrity. Its like boot camp. Those that made it through the rotation DID learn to handle 10 patients with nearly a resident's autonomy (Sometimes 13+ on weekend calls out of ~40 in the unit at any given time). Kings "graduates" are then stars in their subsequent rotations. Is there a better way to start clinicals, I don't think so...I am certainly glad that this was my first rotation.

[jakebrake54]

Originally Posted by thethom

One thing that I believe is important is that unless pushed, people in general will assume mediocrity. Its like boot camp. Those that made it through the rotation DID learn to handle 10 patients with nearly a resident's autonomy (Sometimes 13+ on weekend calls out of ~40 in the unit at any given time). Kings "graduates" are then stars in their subsequent rotations. Is there a better way to start clinicals, I don't think so...I am certainly glad that this was my first rotation.

I agree with thethom. We did Kings at the same time, and while at times it feels like you are rotating in hell, no rotation in the past year has come close to the autonomy and learning that went on at Kings. Every rotation, with the exception of surgery has been pretty boring, because the attendings at other rotations don't give you the trust nor the responsibility that you will have at Kings. It gets dogged by a lot of people because the malignant environment, but if you go, work hard, study, and finish all of your work then you are fine. You will also feel amazing when you finish. If you are afraid to put in a lot of time and effort then this isn't for you. As thethom said, be ready to not eat for entire shifts and you will feel like you are cut off from the rest of the world as you are always there. I lived at the T building and although the living conditions weren't great, it was sufficient for the rotation and it was only like $235 a month. My days would consist of waking up at 530, getting on the floor by 6, and going home usually between 5 and 7. When you get home, you pass out and do it all over the next day.

[shutterbugmd]

did you guys think that the super stress situations at king are actually good for learning?? how do you learn? from attendings? other ross students??