Doctor’s Journey – GP Registrar (Episode 1: Nani)

Welcome to the very first episode of Doctor’s Journey! In this series, I’m sitting down with doctors across different fields to dig into their experiences, career choices, and the everyday challenges that come with life in medicine. For this kickoff episode, I’m chatting with Nani, a GP registrar in Victoria, Australia, who’s just steps away from becoming a fully qualified GP. With her final exams on the horizon, Nani shares the highs, lows, and turning points that have shaped her journey so far.

Why GP? Starting the Path Less Known

Like a lot of us, Nani’s start in medicine wasn’t part of some master plan. After high school, she followed a path into an undergrad med program in Tasmania, largely influenced by her friendship group, who were also into health sciences. For her, it wasn’t until later in her training that she realized primary care was where she wanted to be, and GP felt like the perfect fit. After spending time on placements in rural areas, she saw firsthand the impact of preventive health in communities, which cemented her decision to pursue General Practice.

Med School Reality: From Theory to Practicing on Real People

Med school theory gives you a solid foundation, but stepping into the hospital environment is a whole new world. Nani shared how nerve-wracking it was to start interacting with real patients who expected answers. But she learned early on that asking questions and leaning on her team was critical, especially when you’re starting out. Knowing when to seek help, she says, has been one of her biggest growth points.

COVID Burnout and Taking a Step Back

Like many in healthcare, Nani hit a wall during the pandemic. She worked through what should’ve been her break, helping with COVID admissions, and didn’t realize how exhausted she was until she’d hit her limit. When she finally did take time off, she learned the importance of recognizing burnout and giving yourself permission to step away. Her advice? Take the breaks you need – waiting too long can make it even harder.

Real Talk for Future GPs

If you’re thinking about becoming a GP, Nani says, dive into those GP placements, get curious, and ask tons of questions. GP is one of the most flexible areas in medicine, and it offers the chance to work closely with patients over the long term. But it also comes with a lot of independence, so finding mentors and support is crucial. Having someone in your corner, she says, can make all the difference, especially in those tough early days.

Wrapping It Up

Medicine is a marathon, not a sprint. Everyone’s journey is different, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” route to becoming a doctor. I hope Nani’s story gives you some insight (and maybe a little reassurance) if you’re wondering what the path to GP – or any specialty – really looks like.

Stay tuned for future episodes as we dive into more stories from across the medical field. If you or someone you know has an interesting journey to share, reach out! Let’s keep building a community that pulls back the curtain on the real-life paths of doctors.

Listen to the full conversation on the podcast:

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Watch the full conversation here: