I am a 4th year medical student

It's been so long since I have written anything. Lots has happened, mainly:

1) I successfuly finished my entire 3rd year without failing a rotation or a shelf exam
2) I passed Step 2 CK with a good score
3) I changed my mind from going into Emergency Medicine into Family Medicine

I am currently on a 2 week family medicine rotation, which I just started. I began yesterday. Immediately I knew it was for me. The pace is much better than the ER, I know what people are coming into the office with, and I get a better chance to talk to people.  Yes, some of the stuff may seem run of the mill and somewhat boring, for example a blood pressure check, or a follow up for diabetes. However, just from my first day I have realized it's not about the disease, it's really about the person, and getting to talk to them, so even a mundane Diabetes melitus check up is interesting because of what the patient has to say, their story. I also enjoy sports physicals as mundane as they may be, its neat talking to kids about the sports they are pursuing and seeing the excitement in their face!

I saw about 20 patients yesterday with my family doctor, and not one bit was I stressed out as I was in the ER. I loved the ER, I learned alot, but the schedule, going from morning to nights, to evenings and then back to mornings and re doing that cycle was too much for me. Also, the constant speed and pressure in the ER got old quickly for me. Family is just a better fit for me.

So as of now, I am applying for family medicine programs. I have started my residency application process through a website called ERAS. It is like applying for medical school, you submit all of your information and upload letters of recommendation via this website. Oh and its like medical school because the fees for sending out each application are ridiculously expensive as well!!

-MD in 14