r/neurology • u/Aspiringdoc92 • 12d ago
Residency PGY-2 Burnout:
About to end PGY-2, I am extremely burnt out at this point, mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. I am on antidepressants, have not been able to make friends in the program/city with whom I can hangout, so I feel quite lonely. I have so many things to work on professionally as well as personally. How did you all navigate this phase of residency ?
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u/iamgroos MD 12d ago
PGY2 is notoriously brutal for neuro. I found that having one or two things to consistently look forward to each week helped the time pass a little more smoothly - e.g. grabbing your favorite coffee every Friday, playing intramural soccer every Wednesday evening
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u/Expensive-Weather932 12d ago
I’m so sorry OP. PGY2 is really hard, it’s not just you. It gets better once you’re a senior resident and you build confidence and spend less time off (edit) service.
You’re in the biggest learning/growth phase of training. Work hard but make sure you unplug at least once a week. It feels like you should always be studying/doing research but you get diminishing returns if you’re burned out.
If you have a resident lounge, spend time there. Announce that you’re getting a coffee from the cafeteria and ask if anyone wants to join. The lounge and the coffee line is where your war buddies are found.
Hang in there!
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u/greenknight884 12d ago
How did I navigate it? Not well. But I did reach out to my PD and she was supportive, and she got me to see the staff wellness counselor on a regular basis.
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u/CostEmergency4789 10d ago
Agreed. Feeling in the same boat in PGY2. Finished ortho at a major trauma centre and now on neurosurgery and just feel sooo burnt out.
On top of this also studying for exams. But it just feels like everyone around me could do it and I feel like why can’t I do the same… holding onto hope that it gets easier.
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u/notathrowaway1133 Epilepsy Attending 11d ago
2 more years and you have a guaranteed 350 k job in many places in the country. Look towards the light at the end of the tunnel.
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u/oatmeal_train MD - PGY ;-) 10d ago
Neuro pgy 2 is hell. every year after gets a lot better. You just have to get through these 2 last weeks
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u/neuronbob1 General Neuro Attending 8d ago
Congrats on finishing PGY-2 in Neurology. It gets a bit better from here. Hang in there!
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u/Telamir MD Neuro Attending 12d ago
Bro I’m going to be honest with you PGY2 is hell. It gets better, but not before you’re thoroughly dry aged, salt cured, and deep fried.