RCSI clinical training hospitals, Beaumont, Connolly, and others, which one gives the best experience?

valuemd (Admin)

Beaumont Hospital is RCSI's principal teaching hospital since the 1980s. Students rotate across multiple affiliated sites. This thread maps out which hospitals students are placed at, what the quality of clinical teaching is like at each, and how rotation placement decisions are made.

oliverhayes103 (Alumni)

hey everyone, I am going into my clinical years at RCSI soon and I have been trying to figure out how the hospital rotations actually work. I know Beaumont is the main one but I keep hearing about Connolly, Cavan, Drogheda, and a few others too. Can anyone who has been through the system break down what each hospital is actually like for students? Like which ones have good teaching, which ones do you actually get to do stuff hands on, and how does RCSI decide where you end up? Any honest takes would be really appreciated.

lilyb441 (Student)

oliverhayes103 (Alumni) okay so I just finished fourth year so this is pretty fresh for me. Beaumont is the main hub and honestly it lives up to the reputation for certain specialties. Neurology and neurosurgery there are genuinely excellent because Beaumont is the national neurosurgery centre, so you see cases that students at other hospitals just do not get exposed to. Renal and transplant is also really strong there.

The downside of Beaumont is it is a big busy tertiary centre so sometimes you end up feeling like a ghost on the ward. Consultants are stretched and some teams barely acknowledge you are there. It really depends on which firm you land with. Some consultants are amazing teachers, others will not even learn your name.

ethancole772 (Aspiring student)

completely agree about the Beaumont hit or miss thing. I want to add something about Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown because I think it is actually underrated and people sleep on it. When I was there for surgery the team was so much more approachable. It is a smaller hospital compared to Beaumont so the consultant to student ratio feels better and you actually get called on during ward rounds. I sutured my first wound at Connolly. That would probably not have happened to me at Beaumont where the interns and SHOs are competing for the same procedures. Smaller site genuinely means more hands on time if you are proactive about asking.

harperl772 (Aspiring student)

this is really useful to hear. What about the hospitals outside Dublin like Cavan General and Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda? I have heard some students get sent there and are not happy about it because of the commute and being away from the city. But I have also heard the teaching can actually be better there. Is that true or just something people say to make themselves feel better about the placement?