the usmle step 3 exam is another exam all doctors have to take before their dream of practicing can be realized.  

you can take this exam at any point before, during, or after your residency.  it’s a 2 day exam designed to challenge your ability to recognize, manage, treat, and follow-up on real-life situations.  

one notable advantage to taking this exam before/during residency is that you could potentially moonlight in your senior years.  moonlighting = extra money.  and that would be awesome.  

what would i use the extra money for?  well, im always thinking of the future.  when im done with residency, i want to be prepared for whatever i plan on pursuing.  the options im currently considering are :

1. opening an ideal medical practice
2. opening a concierge medical practice
3. applying to be a pioneer for a new hello health node
4. doing a fellowship, or 
5. getting my masters in business administration

all of these options require money.  and lots of it!  so my plan is to study for and take step 3 during my residency so that i can moonlight as a third year resident.

here’s my plan.  [ if i post it publicly, im hoping i'll actually stick to it ]

• 2009 JAN – internal medicine
• 2009 FEB – ob/gyn
• 2009 MAR – er, derm, ortho, neuro
• 2009 APR – pediatrics
• 2009 MAY – psychiatry, surgery
• 2009 JUN – ethics, epidemiology
• 2009 JUL – first aid for step 3, crush step 3
• 2009 AUG – usmleworld qbank
• 2009 SEP – usmleworld qbank
• 2009 OCT – kaplan qbank
• 2009 NOV – kaplan qbank, take step 3 before thanksgiving

as an aside, although moonlighting is lucrative for residents, it’s also very challenging.  for instance, one of my friends is moonlighting in small ER’s where he is the SOLE physician for 3 days and nights straight.  he’s an extremely smart and experienced guy who can handle being the life saver of acute situations.  i know i can’t.  when [ if ] i moonlight, im hoping an urgent care position or house call position will be available.

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