Suffice me to say that getting an internship placement is easy peasy as compared to what it was years back.
If my assumptions are wrong, perhaps you could share your perspectives.
The sleepless nights
The prayers
The palpitations
And all the good and unpleasant details while it lasted.
It does actually take a special form of courage and resilience to graduate from medical school in Nigeria.
It does also take a form of determination to come sit for the MDCN Exam if you’re a foreign trained medical Doctor as there are other more beautiful alternatives.
And here you are finally being inducted to practice the profession you’ve always wanted all your life.
My warm congratulations to you.
If you’re a foreign trained Doctor, you should have read me before.
Yeah, page 18 of the Pruner- An official publication of the Medical & Dental Council Of Nigeria(MDCN).
You can read it here MY EXPERIENCE PREPARING FOR THE MDCN EXAM.
I wrote that about 3 years ago to encourage foreign trained Doctors as my mantra – making the journey less stressful for those coming behind me, thought to write out securing internship (housemanship) placements after induction.
So let’s get started.
ANOUNCEMENTS
Announcements would have been made on the MDCN website about when the portal would open.
It’s important for you to have submitted some documents before the time to be able to access the portal.
LOGGING IN
As soon as you log into the portal, you’re provided a list of hospitals to choose from.
The portal opens about 3 to 4 times a year and you must be at alert not to miss when it’s open.
Again some hospitals are not listed usually one of which is National hospital, Abuja reasons which you and I can figure.
WARNINGS
While on the site, you’d be informed that as soon as you click a specific hospital, you would not be able to renege on your decision for another hospital.
As soon as you click, you’re logged out and given your posting letter which you’re to download and print.
DOCUMENTS
You will be added to a group page to inform you of the other necessary documents to take along to the HR of the hospital of choice.
For example, here is an attachment of what UCH, Ibadan requires
Again, you’re to report within 2 weeks or your placement will be cancelled and would need to wait for about 3 to 4 months when the portal opens next.
To be honest, I like this centralization of housejob placement as it still considers your choice.
As compared to what it was before centralization, you have to know someone that knows someone who knows another person which was quite unsettling for the most part.
I like that it now appears seamless.
AN ALTERNATIVE
You could be absorbed immediately by the hospital you trained if you’re lucky.
Again is the alternative of securing & processing an internship placement yourself.
That means you wouldn’t need the portal, but will make enquiries yourself, submit your letter and possibly be called for an interview.
The decision is absolutely yours to choose which course you’d like to take.
I hope you enjoy your internship.
Special thanks to Dr. Gift Keziah Suleman who helped with an update.
You certainly will see a follow-up to this.
