You've probably heard somewhere along the line that medical residents are limited to 80 hours a week and no more than 30 hour shifts.
Medical students often have the privelege of working more than that. Remember that we are not covered by any work hours restriction.
I am in the 3rd week of my inpatient medicine clerkship. Here is my 'required' schedule:
Monday 6:30 AM to Tuesday 1:15 PM = 30.75 hrs
Wednesday 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM = 11.75 hrs
Thursday 6:30 AM to Friday 1:15 PM = 30.75 hrs
Saturday 6:30 AM to Noon = 5.5 hrs
What am I complaining about? Our total hours adds up to 78.75 - plenty of room before the 80 hour limit, right? Subtract out the 3 or 4 hours I get when I am on overnight, and that puts me at 71.5 hours. What am I complaining about?
If I want to have my patient progress notes written in time for rounds, I need to check up on my patients in the morning. Sometimes I'll get in at 6:00 to see a patient so that I'm ready to present my three patients at rounds.
What I don't like is that I need to study, too. That will have to wait. In the end, I'm lucky to be in medical school.
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