An email to MUA’s Clinical Coordinator
Good morning, Dr. C.
I just have to say that I am very disappointed that I rushed all the way to OKC less than 12 hours after my wedding only to arrive and have no idea where I’m supposed to be or when.
The promised “orientation package” never arrived via email last week (or last month or the month before) and no one seems to be answering email or voicemail messages.
I paid $40 for a taxi from my hotel room to get to The Hospital by 8am this morning. Instead of sitting in on an orientation session, I loitered at the Starbucks for 3 hours while trying to get a hold of Someone With Answers. Someone With Answers has finally agreed to meet with me tomorrow morning at 830am.
On top of everything else, my new husband is driving over 1500 miles by himself because you told us I had to be here first thing Monday morning and that it would be impossible to delay. In hindsight, starting tomorrow morning obviously isn’t such a big deal for Someone With Answers and I’m sure Brandon would have appreciated a switch in drivers over the last 2 days.
I don’t have many complaints about MUA, but this is an awful introduction to what is meant to be an exciting adventure on this next step in my medical school journey.
Please help me to ensure no other students have to go through this. It really sucks.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Boo! So sorry to hear this – only someone has strong as you would be able to handle this. Hope everything goes well tomorrow :)
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I would be furious. You’re handling it way better than most would I think!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Oh Jen – how disappointing and absolutely ridiculous. Boo is right!!!! *BIG HUGS* I hope orientation goes much more smoothly tomorrow. :-(
August 4th, 2009 at 5:24 am
crap. that really does suck…. A LOT. I am so sorry that you had to rush off from your special weekend with family and new hubby to friggin sit in a starbucks. jerks.
sending you well wishes and hugs.
August 4th, 2009 at 6:05 am
oh Jen I am soooo sorry that happened to you. that really really sucks. now you r truly one of us mua’ers that have been so commonly screwed by rotation planning. but please please don’t burn your bridge with dr. Collins. she can and HAS made scheduling a nightmare for students that speak up. I’m worried for u and brandon. i hope u guys have a good experience. good luck!
August 4th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I don’t know if this will make you feel better, but this isn’t a problem only at MUA. Any medical student starting clerkship should be ready for this. When you are starting new services/changing rotations every few weeks you will constantly come feel like no one cares who or where you are. You are just another medical student face. You will drive across town to be told you are at the wrong hospital or the session was cancelled for the day, they will never remember your name and you will spend a lot of time waiting. Unfortunately in busy academic centers where there are more than enough patients with problems, residents to teach and research to do, teaching medical students is the lowest thing on the list. In some rotations (Med, Surg) where you stay in one place for longer it gets better and it is definitely better in residency. Hang in there-a lot of this year is just about paying your dues by showing up and having a positive attitude.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
TAKE HEED DR. COLLINS!!!!!!!!
This is UNacceptable
August 4th, 2009 at 10:53 am
!!!
ugh. sorry honey, hugs!
hope today brings more sunshine!!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
:-( :-( :-(
August 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
only you could get through this gracefully!
after re-reading this, i am glad to see you get angry toward the end. this is totally ridiculous!
- a
August 4th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Oh no, 3rd first day? Well… hope that the for FOR REAL first day goes wonderfully well, so well that it erases what have in all likelihood been a supremely frustrating couple of days.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:07 am
a) CONGRATS on your wedding. :)
b) that very much sucks.
c) don’t be discouraged, but erin’s comments above are accurate. it’s not necessarily your school’s fault. big academic hospitals are confusing, sometimes disorganized places. people won’t call you back, schedules get lost, etc., etc. trust me, i have been on the end of this many times! so just try to accept that, and you will hopefully feel much better. :)
good luck!
August 15th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Rhymes with “clucking bell”.
:(
August 18th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Well, at least everything worked out in terms of your rotation now. That is all that really matters in the end and like everyone else says at least you handled it with grace because I would have lost my mind.
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:43 am
[...] An email to MUA’s Clinical Coordinator [...]
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
This is my first semester at MUA. Everything happens for a reason;in your case, perhaps, to warn knew students like me about the treacherous road aheadn. You are indeed a true professional; you have demonstrated that in the way you handled that terible disappointment.Continue to show assertiveness with reason and you will excel. God bless you and your marriage.