Tips for Internship

Starting an internship can be intimidating, so we compiled these internship tips that might be very helpful on your journey. Here you will find a list of useful information on what to take with you to work, what to keep on you during your hospital rounds and tips on succeeding on your first call. 

Read more about the recommendations we composed from those who completed internships before you.

First day of internship

What to take with you to work:
  1. Stethoscope.
  2. Stationery (see below).
  3. Water bottle.
  4. Lunch.
  5.  Jimmy book (optional).
    • Some departments have a specific book they want you to use.
    • Some people use loose pages for the day or week.
    • Maybe check out the department first before deciding whether you want to invest in a jimmy book.
  6. Cell phone!
What to keep on you during rounds:
  1. Stethoscope.
  2. At least 2 black pens.
  3. Your stamp.
  4. Mini stapler.
  5. Small pair of scissors.
  6. Cell phone!
  7. Patient list (can compile as the round progresses).
  8. Extra progress pages (for writing daily notes).
    • Might differ per department or hospital.
  9. Extra prescription pages
  10. Forms (to fill in as the round progresses, if possible).
    • Lab request forms.
    • Blood bank forms.
    • Radiology forms.
    • Consent forms.
    • Referral letters (allieds, VCT, social worker, etc.).
    • TTO’s.
First call

Surviving your first call

  1. Things to always keep on you:
    • Scissors, stapler, stethoscope, stamp.
    • At least 2 pens.
    • Blood gas syringe (where possible).
    • Strapping tape and Opsite (or whatever your hospital uses to secure drips).
    • High-energy snacks (like fruit & nut packs, energy bars, etc.).
    • Try and keep your water bottle close by.
    • Keep an extra set of scrubs in your car, in case you get some undesired body fluid all over you.
  2. You will need the EML guidelines app for drug dosing and first-line management in most cases.
  3. NEVER PUT YOUR PHONE ON SILENT!
  4. Take your cell phone charger and a two-point plug with (and a power bank if you have one). Make sure you don’t get stuck with a flat phone!!
  5. Consciously drink enough water.
  6. If you get a chance to eat, rest, or make coffee – take it! 
  7. On-call sleep can range from 0-5 hours, depending on the department and the day. Go in expecting to get no sleep, then your 30min nap will feel like gold.
  8. Call rooms tend to have bed bugs and mosquitoes.
    • Take insect repellent and a sleeping bag with.
  9. If you are unsure about anything, rather ask! Everyone remembers what it was like to face your first call. You can do it!
  10. Start your morning rounds earlier rather than later. The sooner you finish your duties, the sooner you can go home.
  11. Finally, welcome to the wonder of post-call euphoria! The world is your oyster, yes…but take it from those who have fallen into these traps before…
    • Don’t drive long distances (you might think you’re fine, but you really are risking your life).
    • Don’t go shopping!
    • And most of all, if you have any concern for your future financial welfare, stay FAR away from post-call online shopping!!!
Other Practical Tips
  1. Start thinking of doing your ACLS, AMLS, ATLS, and APLS/PALS short courses.
    • Most of them expire after 2-3 years and will need to be renewed.
    • They will definitely help you feel more confident in running a resus (though as an intern you will most likely only lead the resus until the senior comes).
    • The ATLS waiting list is long, so consider applying early.
    • It would be very beneficial to complete them before you enter community service, or as early as possible during community service.
  2. Make comprehensive and detailed notes! Write down if you discussed a patient with your senior.
  3. The ‘see one, do one, teach one’ rule applies, so see and do many procedures to grow your skills.
  4. Whenever you enter a new ward, introduce yourself to the nursing staff. They often know more than you do, so stay become friends with them and stay humble! 
  5. Fill in your logbook as you go. You don’t want to run around during your last week trying to get signatures; the consultants really don’t like it!
  6. Internship is a team sport. Don’t go home until everyone in your team has finished their ward work.
  7. Socialise, exercise, rest! Med-school is over, so you deserve it!
  8. Make the best of internship! After these 2 years you will be expected to stand on your own feet as a doctor, supervising others and making decisions about patients’ health with very little to no supervision yourself. Internship is hard but the learning environment is golden, so don’t waste it!

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