Student Parent Survival Guide

Chronic exhaustion. ⠀

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Anybody else having one of those days? 🙋🏾‍♀️⠀

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Whether you work inside or outside of the home, being tired as a parent is a way of life. But, that is no excuse for not getting the job done, so we learn how to power through. 🏃🏾‍♀️⠀

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Breastfeeding & Radiology reading at the same time. Get er done. #medschool #motherhood #multitasking #MrsMommyMD

A post shared by Jasmine Johnson, MD|MFM Fellow (@mrsmommymd) on Sep 9, 2013 at 7:26am PDT

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Here are some of my quick tips for getting your work done with kids especially while in professional school:⠀

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📝 get up early or stay up late: this one takes some time to train your body, but it’s worth it. The early morning is when I do my best work. It is quiet, I feel fresh, and there are no little humans running around.⠀

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📝 Don’t wait for the perfect conditions to study: it may not always be the way you want it, but you can study anywhere, listening to podcasts in the car, perusing through your notes or QBank questions while you’re nursing, listening to lectures while making dinner, or while your kid plays the kiddie pool ;-) Time is a potential space and you can fill it creatively throughout the day with small bursts of studying for review - even with kids around. ⠀

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Pool Partaaaay! @nathanj9

A post shared by Jasmine Johnson, MD|MFM Fellow (@mrsmommymd) on May 15, 2013 at 1:37pm PDT

📝 use your village: when I knew that I had a week of exams at the end of the block, we would have little Nate stay with my mom or big Nate‘s mom during that time so that I could get some uninterrupted marathon studying in. And Little Nate would get grandparents’ time, so it was a win for everyone. ⠀

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📝 use your space: when I was in medical school, we bought big sheets of clear plexiglass from the hardware store to put on our guestroom wall. It was my own dry erase board for writing out things that I wanted to memorize. This helped me to create a library-like space within my home so I didn’t feel so disconnected from the family.⠀

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The House of a Med Student: Where Grown Ups Write on Walls...

A post shared by Jasmine Johnson, MD|MFM Fellow (@mrsmommymd) on May 1, 2012 at 2:44pm PDT

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Those are my faves. You can find more tips on the med student page of my blog. 

You got this!⠀

📟 Paging all parents, share your productivity tips below!⠀

8 Things to Remember While Parenting in Residency

Four years ago when I finished medical school, I wrote an article for Student Doctor Network called Six Things to Remember While Parenting in Medical School.

A lot of what I wrote back then still holds true for residency, but I thought I would give an updated run-down on some important things to remember while parenting in residency...

1. It really is about quality of time over quantity. I used to think that people were saying this to me so that I wouldn’t feel badly about not being around all the time, but it really is true. Your kids want to be with you no matter whether it is during a 15 minute visit on Labor and Delivery, or a whole golden weekend. They love you and anything you do together can be memorable. The biggest thing is to make the most of the time that you do have with them.

Visitors on Nights during Intern Year

Visitors during Nights during Chief Year

2. Don’t forget to do something for yourself. Between working, and trying to be everything to everyone at home, it is easy to forget about yourself. You need those hobbies you had before this thing started - whether it is long bubble baths, writing, working out, or your favorite TV show. You have to TREAT YO SELF too. 

That Disney trip we took? Definitely mostly for me ;-) 

3. Residency is not going to be easy with children, no matter what specialty you choose, but it can be done. Social media sometimes can hurt us, because we are looking at everyone’s highlight reel and end products without seeing all of the outtakes or mess in between points A and B. Let me tell youThere is so much mess. And it is still going to be OK. 

4. Take the pictures (even if the school year is halfway over). Take the seemingly inconvenient overnight trip (even after being on the third hellish rotation in a row). Go to the movie. The time is going to pass you by and these moments are going to be things that you cherish with your fam when the going gets tough.

5. Make even the simple things a family affair. Isabelle always points out that she is willing to “rest” or “watch the news” with me. Train 'em up! 

6. Get creative about making what is important to you happen. You will be able to make it to :some: of the kids'/family things. It just takes a lot of advanced planning, and the support of your people who are willing to cover you if need be.

7. Ask for help. I have NO SHAME in sending out the yearly "recruitment email" to our extended family letting them know when we need them most during the year. 

8. Don’t forget to say thank you. And say it often - not just when you are all done. You didn't get here alone and don't forget it. 

Lecturio: The Medical Education Tutor at Your Fingertips

I was recently asked to review a new online medical course service called Lecturio.

Lecturio was developed in 2008 and per the website, is composed of: 

"...a passionate, international team of about 80 people with very different backgrounds but one common goal: to simplify and optimize online education and allow all users to reach their full potential. It is our mission to make high-quality online education available to as many people as possible, and spread specialized knowledge around the world." 

Portable, online lectures were so clutch as a mom in medical school. Sometimes you just can't physically be there, but that does not mean that your grades have to suffer. And ALL  students know that sometimes the information just doesn't stick with one lecture, so supplemental information can be critical when it comes to passing the exam.



For a monthly fee, students can watch lectures from experts all over the world in various subjects including (but not limited to) biochemistry, anatomy, statistics, health policy, and MCAT prep. It's like hitting the lottery when it comes to medical curriculum.

In addition to their high-quality lectures, Lecturio seeks to maximize retention of content by pausing at various intervals to quiz you on the topic you are hearing - like a live QBank. For added convenience, you have library access on both Iphone and Android platforms.

Lecturio is on to something, and I am excited to see how their forward thinking takes medical education into the future!

Click the link below to take a look around their site and decide if Lecturio is for you.

Online Lectures with Lecturio

I was not compensated for this post. 

Readers Want to Know...Should I Do a Post-Bac/Masters Program?

Sweet baby Nate & how I did most of my post-bac studying in 2009

What is a "post-bac" or post-baccalaureate program? 

A post-bac program is formal or informal coursework that is designed for those who have completed a baccalaureate degree. You can find them in all fields, but they are known in the pre-medical community as ways to complete basic science coursework prior to medical school. A lot of times, they are intended for those with a late change of plans in college or career switch. 

Sometimes, these programs can serve as enrichment type courses to raise your science GPA or help to prepare you for medical school - similar to the program I participated in - Masters in Science of Medical Science at Indiana University. After completion of these programs students typically can obtain a certification (i.e. Nutrition or Health Sciences) or depending on the program, a Master's level degree. 

How much is tuition? 

This will vary by location. A good rule of thumb is that it will resemble college tuition with private schools costing more than state institutions. 

How can I pay for it? 

Just like with medical school, unless you have a rich uncle, you will most likely have to take out student loans for your tuition. I had a few friends that worked during our post-bac year, but remember that your goal is to bang out your courses so that you can get into medical school. If you need all of the extra time to study and get the results you want, you probably should not work.

Where can I find one? 

Sadly, formal pre-med post-bac programs are decreasing in number, but the AAMC website has a database list here: Post Bac Link and you can filter by location. 

Is a Post-Bac for me? 

Although anyone can participate in or sign up for post-bac coursework, you have to make sure it fits your needs and you get out of it the investment you put in. I think it is a great option for people who may not be ready to jump into medical school straight from undergrad, or need an extra boost in their GPA or on their resume. It is also a great option for those who have not yet completed their pre-medical coursework and need a more structured program. Make sure you do lots of research to find the program that is the best fit for you and don't be afraid to contact the program administrator to ask questions not answered on the websites.

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Hope this is helpful! You can always email me with more questions at Mrs.Mommy.MD@gmail.com and they may become a "Readers Want to Know Post"!

**Book Review** So You Got into Medical School… Now What?

So You Got intoMedical School… Now What? was written for anyone recently accepted to medical school who hopes to remove some of the anxiety surrounding the daunting four years that lie ahead. Author, and orthopedic surgery resident, Dr. Daniel Paull, has written a high-yield summary of the four years of medical school - highlighting many of success strategies most students don't know until they are knee-deep in the trenches. 

I have mentioned previously on the blog the idea of working “smarter and not harder”. This book is a prime example of that! As I read through the med student vignettes at the beginning of each chapter, I took a walk down memory lane. Key points are then recapped at the end of the chapters with a summary section – much like popular medical school review texts - to make sure you don't miss the take home message. 

The book takes a very easy-reading and conversational approach to cover topics like: 

- Study techniques

- Step exams

- Tackling clerkships

- Away rotations

- Residency interviews 

Even though this book is geared towards medical students, I think it is a great book for pre-med students as well! It is never too soon to start building foundations that will make you a successful medical student. This will be recommended reading for my mentees at all training levels for sure!

You can buy So You Got into Medical School… Now What? for yourself or the med student in your life HERE on Amazon.

***I was asked to review this product. All opinions are my own.***

Readers Want to Know: Should I Go to Medical School?

I get questions from readers all the time asking whether or not I think they should go to medical school. This is a VERY personal decision that you have to decide for yourself. However, having gone through medical school myself and after making many difficult decisions to pursue this career, I do have some advice.

Obviously, first and foremost you need to have an interest in medicine. But once you get past that, here are the bigger things to think about when making the decision as to whether or not you should go to medical school.

Do you like school?

4th grade. See? Nerd. 

Because on the road to MD, there is a lot of it. Not to sound nerdy, but I have always enjoyed school. Of course, it wasn't always fun, but my passion for the subject matter kept me going. In order to become a physician, you have to complete high school, complete 4 years of college - with emphasis on doing well in the required prerequisites for medical school, complete 4 years of medical school, and between 3-6 years of residency depending on what field to decide to go on to.  Some physicians will then pursue a fellowship - such as high-risk obstetrics, critical care medicine, or hematology - which is an additional training after your residency. Also, at various points in your schooling, you will be required to take multiple board exams which standardizes everyone's curriculum.


Are you okay with delayed gratification? 

The road to medical school is the epitome of delayed gratification. One of my classmates from my post-bac program  - when comparing herself to her peers and close friends who are well into their careers - referred to herself as "The Little Engine That Could". That just about sums it up.  Many physicians look back and see that when compared to their matched peers, there were the last of the group to become "adults" so to speak.  They were the last ones to buy a house.  They were the last ones to start families. I'm kind of an anomaly - luckily the face of the medical student is changing. But I often think about if things for me hadn't turned out the way they did, when would I have started a family? My family and I have (and still) put off major decisions - until deadlines like Match Day, graduation, completion of residency, etc.

White Coat Ceremony circa 2010

Are you okay with debt?

Some Ecards

Everyone doesn't walk away from medical school with significant debt burden.  But the majority of us do. For those of us without a rich uncle, or a lucky PowerBall ticket, medical school can mean walking away with not only a degree, but also hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loans. That being said, you may be blessed to find scholarships for your medical schooling. These exist and I know firsthand, because I had one.

Do an extensive web search, but also, investigate the various schools that you're interested in and and see if they offer any medical school specific scholarships. Many of my classmates also joined the service or committed to public service type specialties for which their medical school education was covered.

Can you see yourself doing anything else? 

Homemade plexiglass whiteboards for studying...all the time

No really. If the answer to this question is "yes", then you definitely have some self reflection to do. I don't say that to be harsh, but when the "going gets tough", you do not want to regret your decision.

Whether or not to become a physician is not something that you can decide overnight.  Not only does this decision require a tremendous amount of time and energy to reach your goal, it means time away from the ones you love and minimal time for yourself. You may miss birthdays, weddings, friend vacations, or your kids' school presentations.

These things, although much improved as you become a practicing physician, are still there.
Being a physician means making sacrifices to put others needs before your own every day. Even the best, most passionate, well-meaning physicians get tired, so if your heart is not in medicine, you will quickly get burnt out.


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Hope this is helpful! You can always email me with more questions at Mrs.Mommy.MD@gmail.com and they may become a "Readers Want to Know Post"!

And fin.

Yesterday was my last real class day in medical school. From now until graduation, I have a few shifts as a pathology TA and then I am free!!!

The Narrative Medicine Crew

To commemorate the day, our Narrative Medicine preceptor brought cake for our last class. It was her last class too since she is retiring this year. She is the sweetest lady, really, and the cake was delish!

Later that evening, the Student National Medical Association held a dinner in honor of the graduates. During second year, I was social chair for the org and I remember being in charge of planning the senior dinner for the class of 2012. I felt like it was going to take forever  to get to my own. It didn't.

Class of 2014 SNMA Grads

After getting our certificates, we all gave words of encouragement to the other classes, and of course, I started crying. I feel like I'm in an emotional bubble just waiting to pop. I told ya'll, on graduation I am going to be a hot, tearful, mess.

I just cannot believe that the years of dreaming and hoping and working and praying have all come to this. I am so thankful to be here and I am trying to take in every sweet, satisfying moment. The realization that I am about to graduate really has been one of the best feelings of my life.

I remember growing up and being enthralled by the cover of my dad's surgical journals that came in the mail. My mom thought it was so gross...haha

And I remember not wanting to go to sleepovers throughout my childhood because of a "very real" fear of meningitis.

I remember not eating beef because of the threat of e.coli. Oh and in third grade being concerned about HIV.

I remember my ambitious research project in 4th grade for the enrichment program at school. I wanted to learn about the entire human body. Although she knew it was a huge undertaking, my teacher let me try and I did it.

In 5th grade, I wanted to do a project about asthma. I could go on and on...

Yes, I was such a weird kid, I know. But I was made for medicine.

And then there was the summer at the Boys and Girls' club, when I realized I genuinely loved people, the messiness of their lives, and making them feel better.

I could go on and on, but the point is that...

I am watching my lifelong dream unfold before my very eyes, and I am so grateful to God.

I am so happy.

Ok, headed to campus. Talk to you later peeps!

Match Day Update and a HUGE THANK YOU!!!!

I cannot say it enough.

I am in AWE of the love and support that you all have given me over the years and as I experienced the whirlwind of Match Day you guys made sure I knew I was loved. Thank you so much for reading and cheering me on.

Match Day was awesome! It was right up there as one of the best days of my life.

At noon we opened the envelopes and.... :drum roll:

We will be taking our talents to North Carolina as I begin residency at....

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill!!!

I am soooo excited!!!! If you are a new reader to the blog, welcome! I am so happy you are here.

Below are some of my favorite pictures from the ceremony:

Waiting with THEE envelope!!

After opening our envelopes we got to tell everyone where we were going, Natey did great when he yelled "UNC!" It was so cute :-D My little bro took these screenshots from the live feed online...

Photo Credit: Liz Kaye

We did it!!

Go Tarheels!!! 

Check Out My Guest Post on the Student Doctor Network!

If you are pursuing a career in the health sciences, then you are probably more-than-familiar with the abundance of resources and forums on The Student Doctor Network. If this is your first time hearing about it, go there now!

Today, I am super excited to be guest posting on the about parenting in medical school, and I would love for you to check it out and let me know what you think! [Link Here]

Have a great day everyone :-)

Reflecting on My Clerkship Experience: Emergency Medicine

From the AAMC Careers in Medicine Clinical Evaluation 

My cool Emergency Medicine doc look ;-)

1. Name and Location of Clinical Rotation: 

• Indiana University Health - West: I was so excited to get placed at this hospital because it was close to our house and I thought a community hospital ED would be a slower pace. 

2. What did I like most about this specialty?

• The speed. Even though you get all the pertinent information as far as chief complaint, medical history, family history, social history, etc., you have to be EXTREMELY efficient and I love that. 
• The variety. All in one week I was ruling out strokes, managing vaginal bleeding, suturing lacerations, diagnosing cancer, and cardioverting an abnormal heart rhythm.
• The shift schedule is different in that you can spend your whole day at home and then come in overnight - however, it is also tiresome...
• Working on a team. The entire ED works so hard to make sure all of the patients are taken care of. I had a great time working with the attending physicians, the nursing staff, and the consultants. 

3. What did I like least about this specialty?

• As stated above, the shift work got exhausting in that it was very variable from day to day. I would work a 2-11PM one night, a 5PM-2AM the next, and then a 10PM-6AM. My sleep schedule was all off by the last week. 

4. Did this clinical rotation give me a good sense of what practice in this specialty would be like? 

I think so. I thought that I would have a very limited perspective on what it would be like in an ED since I wasn't in one of the hospitals downtown. However, West has been extremely busy recently and many times I was seeing 10-15 patients per day. There was one day when patients had been in the waiting room for a little over 2 hours, but for the most part, the team was great about keeping things moving so we could get our patients seen.

5. Did my interests, values, skills and/or personality "fit" with this specialty? If yes, in what way did they "fit"? If no, why might they not be compatible? 

Although not having continuity (ongoing relationships and follow-up) with my patients was something I knew I would have an issue with, it did not bother me as much as I thought it would - at least for the month. I did find myself wondering about how patient so-and-so did. Especially when we made a new cancer diagnosis and or confirmed new pregnancies. Also, the ED has its "regulars" too and by the end of the month there were a few patients that I had seen two or three times...

I think my personality would not do well in the ED just because I do like to see that my work helped to "cure" or fix the patient's problem. In the ED, the priority is to address anything life threatening and then have the patient follow up with their primary care provider for anything else.

6. What are the possible practice settings for specialists in this field? Which of these settings interest me and do I know enough about them? 

Like most specialties, you can find ED physicians in academic and/or community settings.

7. What information do I still need to find out about this specialty? 

N/A. Everyone was really sweet and said that I was great at Emergency Medicine. My attendings even told me it wasn't too late to switch specialties, but I think I will stick to OB-GYN ;-)

8. Has my perception of this specialty changed based on my clinical rotation experience? 

Yes, before the EM doctors called a consultant in another specialty, it is very likely that they had done everything they could to make sure deferring to another doctor was totally necessary. One of the things my staff kept trying to impress upon me is that when the emergency department calls an OB-GYN doctor for a patient - for example, someone with vaginal bleeding, it is not because they don't want to take care of them. All of the basic work-up is done beforehand, and they really would like a second opinion/some guidance on the issue. I was told not to get jaded during my intern year while I'm returning pages from the ED. I'm sure I won't :-D

9. Did my clinical rotation experience influence the likelihood of choosing a career in this specialty? If yes, how did it influence me? 

I think that EM is a lot of fun, and I was excited to get more practice with women's health issues in addition to all of the other interesting cases I say, but I still absolutely still love OBGYN more, so I know I made the right choice.  

10. Right now, on a scale of 1-10, how interested am I in this specialty as a career option? 

N/A

11. Other comments or reflections about this rotation or specialty: 

When I first started medical school, many people suggested that EM would be a good specialty for me as a wife and mom because it is shift work. Sure, you do not take call, and when you leave the hospital for the day you are done with patients until the next shift, however, the shifts are long (9+ hours usually). And even after your "shift" is over, none of the physicians are able to go home right away because you need to follow through and make sure all the loose ends are tied on the patients you have that are still in the ED - i.e. waiting on tests, getting medications or fluids, waiting to see specialist or be transferred. Most of the time you stay at least an hour past your shift end time - and I watched my attendings charting sometimes 2 and half hours past their shifts.

Long story short, being able to explore the specialties for yourself is invaluable and you should always take other peoples suggestions with a grain of salt. Only you know what is best for you and your life. Don't let other people's opinions of what would be a good career for a wife and mom influence your specialty choice. Or career choice for that matter. Because if I had listened to all those with opinions, I probably wouldn't be in medical school right now :-)

Hey Friends!!

Driving

Hey Friends!

So last time I was here, I was just entering the interview trail and I am so happy to share that I am now one interview away from being done! I received 16 interview invites total and accepted 11. Over the last 5 weeks, I have been to 8 different cities in 5 different states. Since Chicago, the family and I [read: minivan renting, road trip driving with a 4 year old and 4 month old] have been to North Carolina, Michigan, Indianapolis (lol), and Georgia. Thankfully, all of the trips went on without a hitch - aside from the snowfall that increased the duration of our supposed-to-be-8-hour Atlanta road trip by 7 hours and the three hour flight delay on the way home from my interview in North Carolina round 2.

It has been an exciting but EXHAUSTING time. Just to give you an idea, I haven't spent a weekend at home since November 2nd o_O My busiest week was two weeks ago week when I had an interview in Indy on Monday, Detroit on Wednesday, and Atlanta on Saturday. The last two months have been quite the blur. But it has been really great to visit our family who lives in and around my Midwest interviews and it has been awesome to experience some Southeast life now that we are in full-fledge winter.

And more driving...

On the 11th, I also took Step 2CK. If you have been following along my med school journey, you may remember that I took Step 1 the summer between 2nd and 3rd year. These exams are how the medical licensing board makes sures that all the medical schools are teaching their students what they are supposed to, and it also serves as a way to gauge your competitiveness for residency. The biggest difference with Step 2 is that there are two different parts. The "Clinical Knowledge" portion (CK) is the 9-hour computer based exam, and the "Clinical Skills" portion (CS) is a 7 hour standardize patient exam. This is kind of like a simulated doctor's office where you are the doctor and you interact with 10 different patients with 10 different chief complaints. You have 15 minutes to interview them, do a physical exam, and counsel them on the next steps of the process, and then 10 minutes to write a visit note about the whole thing. I took CS right before Thanksgiving. This is how I am feeling about being done with Boards until Step 3 in intern year...

Fourth year is BLISSFUL.

I cannot believe Christmas is next week. When I say I am not ready...I am NOT READY. Somehow the hubby and I need to find time to shop for the kids. Oh, and I need to put ornaments on the tree. And pretty much put out every other decoration I have. Don't judge. I haven't been home more than 48 consecutive hours since November...After I finish this research paper draft for my December elective, and mail out the backlog of thank you notes I have to write from interviews, I have a dreams of a Pinterest-filled Christmas complete with crafts for Natey and great memories to be made.

And I plan on continuing to reflect on the real reason for this season...

Hope you all are wonderful!!

First Week of Sub-I? Check.

Encouragement from the Hubby

My first week of Sub-I is behind me and I think it went pretty smoothly. Especially considering these 10-14 hour days are long and I am beyond exhausted. I was not the biggest fan of internal medicine during third year, but I have to admit that this time around it has been kind of awesome.

I was paged for the first time two days ago. The conversation went like this:
Me: "Hi! This is Jasmine the sub-I, I was just paged."
Nurse: "Yes, this is nurse _____ on 4West, patient X's blood sugar is 322 and she is supposed to get 9 units of correction insulin in addition to the 5 units with meals. Do you still want to do that?"
Me: :thinking but trying not to take too long so I sound competent: "Yes, that should be fine."
I quickly called my resident verify that this was in fact the right choice, and it was :-) I know it sounds insignificant, but too much insulin can pretty much put you in a coma so I was making critical clinical decisions folks...haha

Morning commute praise break

Since then, I've been called about medication changes, chest pains, and cross-cover patients for other sub-Is... Friday night, my team was on call until 9PM and the day flew by because I was able to do so much as far as making decisions for my patients.

It helps that I have a great resident and staff who both ask me what I want to do and then let me actually do it - unless its way off in left field...then they reel me in a bit lol

Finding time to pump has been the biggest stress so far. My resident is cool with me taking whatever time I need, but honestly, I get so busy and by the time things quiet down its pretty much the afternoon and 6+ hours since I fed Izzy before I left home. Ouch. Regardless...I make time each day and so far it is working out. The nurses at the station by the hospital's lactation room have been the absolute sweetest. A couple of them are pumping too and let me keep my pump and stuff with theirs so it's more convenient for me and I don't have to run back to my locker on a different floor.

The family is adjusting pretty well too. Not sure if it will even continue into the second week, but I managed to get dinner cooked 3/5 days. That's a huge feat for me because I am quick to take an L on making dinner...no shame. Natey is used to mommy leaving early and returning late but I feel like every time Izzy looks at me she is questioning if I am leaving soon. I know I'm just being crazy but you know I have a chronic history of Mommy Guilt :sigh:

I'm trying to imagine what life will be like next year when I am officially an intern and this month has made me pretty excited because I know I will be ready!