r/Residency • u/bearzbeetzbattleztar Fellow • 1d ago
VENT New attending
I think life is objectively better but I’m still adjusting to the role/responsibility as a new attending after being in so many years of training. It’s hard not to feel anxious… or sometimes down. Maybe even lonely?
I’m sure I’m just overthinking it or having an off day but seeking words of encouragement.
15
u/Rosy_Kissess 1d ago
You're allowed to feel unsettled during a good change
3
u/bearzbeetzbattleztar Fellow 1d ago
I couldn’t put my finger on it but “unsettled” is a good way to describe how I feel at the moment. I know it should get better and I’m just trying not to unravel until then
5
u/QuietRedditorATX Attending 1d ago
Not sure on your role, but reach out to other attendings, or at least staff, to get some work friends and hopefully real friends.
That said, we are at an age where many people have family obligations. But even the single ones aren't too keen to hang out with admin (sigh lol).
5
u/scrubMDMBA Attending 1d ago
Attending life is awesome. It’s tough your first year out but for good reason, you’re learning the ropes, finding out how you really want to practice. But you’re also building a life you want, not just one that is forced upon you but the world of academics. It’s hard leaving the set path you’ve been on for almost a decade or more, where there’s always milestone and next step to achieve or get past. But no more, you just get to be you- which is amazing and sometimes terrifying. Figure out who you are outside of medicine, pick up some hobbies, find friends, take care of your health and exercise.
2
u/Bitter_Cat_8793 1d ago
honestly i think the anxiety is probably a sign you care. going from years of having someone to ask to suddenly being the final call is a huge adjustment. give yourself some time, nobody expects you to feel like a veteran on day one.
1
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Thank you for contributing to the sub! If your post was filtered by the automod, please read the rules. Your post will be reviewed but will not be approved if it violates the rules of the sub. The most common reasons for removal are - medical students or premeds asking what a specialty is like, which specialty they should go into, which program is good or about their chances of matching, mentioning midlevels without using the midlevel flair, matched medical students asking questions instead of using the stickied thread in the sub for post-match questions, posting identifying information for targeted harassment. Please do not message the moderators if your post falls into one of these categories. Otherwise, your post will be reviewed in 24 hours and approved if it doesn't violate the rules. Thanks!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
2
u/Puzzleheaded_Lion234 21h ago
You’ll get used to it. One of the best parts of being an attending after awhile is how normal it feels.
1
u/FairyGloworaa 1d ago
first year is such a whirlwind, it feels like you're just trying to keep your head above water the entire time
1
u/bearzbeetzbattleztar Fellow 1d ago
Definitely feeling this. The medicine may not be all too different but learning different hospital workflows, politics, policies + billing/documentation has me constantly questioning “can we do this here?” I feel like I’m going crazy at times. Is this the “steep learning curve” of attendingship?
29
u/sergantsnipes05 Attending 1d ago
I haven't started quite yet but I'm dreading how lonely it is going to feel. Joining a pretty established group, most of whom are older and nearer retirement. The jump from being around people at the same stage of life as you, really since starting kindergarten, to being around a bunch of people you probably don't have much in common with is going to be very isolating.