Editor’s Note: This account makes the case for getting board-certification testing done on the usual schedule if at all possible.
“I failed Part I of the orthopaedic board examinations.”
I married a non-physician shortly after finishing medical school. I became one of two orthopaedic surgery residents per year at a busy trauma center. I had my first child as a third-year resident. The second was born during my chief resident year. As it turned out, my marriage was on the rocks during the second half of that pregnancy. My husband left me when my daughter was just two months old. Divorce papers simply appeared in the mail.
Thankfully, I have wonderful parents who helped me care for my kids. During this time of shock, anger and extreme fatigue, I decided not to take Part I of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certification exam at the traditional time, immediately following residency. I simply couldn’t focus. My mentors and friends said, “Don’t do it, you know the testing material better now than you ever will.” I stuck to my decision to defer and soldiered on during my fellowship hoping to find time to study. My mother appeared at my door at 4:30 am each day with a coffee in hand for me. She would then take over care of the children. Eventually my parents, children and I moved into a house together to make our complicated lives more workable.
During my fellowship, I had many work-related evening and weekend commitments so my time for study was limited. I took Part I of the boards after finishing and failed by a few points. Maybe my advisors were right, I should have taken the exam at the first opportunity.
I was very embarrassed and told almost no one about my failure. I began work as a hospital employed orthopaedic surgeon and moved five minutes from the hospital. I committed myself to nothing extra and studied for the board exam more intensively. I retook the examination the following year and passed. Exam day was not without its stressors, however, as I ran into my former junior residents who were there to take their exams on the usual schedule.
I am happy to say that I also passed Part II of the boards on schedule with no problems and became a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon. My initial failure was hard to accept but it did not diminish my use of my skills acquired during training. Afterwards, I had no choice but to pick myself up and take the test again. I am very glad I did.
And, yes, my daughters are now grown and making their own life’s choices.