A day in the life of a pediatric intern
As a first-year resident, we spend two months on the general pediatrics ward and one month on the hematology-oncology inpatient service. The wards months are the highlight of our intern year as we act as the first line of medical care to all pediatric inpatients. Here is a typical day as wards intern:
 My day begins around 6:30 a.m., when I show up to pre-round on my patients. I examine my patients, record vital signs, check labs and radiology study results, and get updates from nursing.
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At 8 a.m., I go to morning report, where we talk about the patients who were admitted overnight, and a senior resident gives a brief presentation. |
 At 8:30 a.m., I go to rounds with the team where we typically discuss the new admissions first and then talk about old patients. The medical students and interns present the patients to the chief resident and attending, while the senior residents look up labs, display radiology images, and place orders in our portable computers. |
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At 4 p.m., we have sign-out to the night coverage team and I leave for home around 4:30pm. |
By 10:30 a.m., we are finished with rounds and I start working on notes, putting in orders, speaking with families, or calling consultants.
At 11:30a.m., I sign out to the senior resident and the afternoon team (if I am gone from the wards in the afternoon).
At 12:15, I eat lunch at our daily noon-conference where an attending presents a didactic lecture. Lunch is provided on Thursdays for all the residents!
At 1 p.m., I either go to my continuity clinic (one half day per week) or finish getting my work done.
