Blog - Dr. Christina Nguyễn - USMLE Coach

5 UNDERSTANDING RULES WHEN WORKING IN THE US – WHAT DECIDES WHETHER YOU PROMOTE OR GET STUCK

Ho Tro 24/07/2026 No Comments

While working in America, there was a period when I was very resentful. I do more. Stay later. Get more work. But people are more trusted Given more opportunities Get promoted faster… Not me again. At that time I really thought: “Maybe I’m not good enough.” Only later did I understand… 👉 It’s not that I’m bad. 👉 I just don’t understand hidden law when working in the US. And these rules… no one taught me when I went to school. 1. Law of “Visibility” – Hard work is not enough. You need to be seen. In America, doing well does not guarantee victory. Knowing how to let others see how good you are is the only way to win. Don’t just put your head down and do it You must report progress You must say what you are doing You must show people

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A FEW CONFIDENCES ON MATCH DAY – SHARING FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE US

Ho Tro 24/07/2026 No Comments

Today is Match Day in America. In many medical schools in the US, this is a very special day. Students gathered, opened envelopes together, hugged each other, some laughed, some cried with happiness. A real festival. 10 years ago, I was there too. As a student who graduated from a medical school in the US, I experienced Match Day as a completely happy day. But later, when looking back from a different perspective… I realized: 👉 Match Day is not always a “festival”. There are people who don’t have that stage. There was no moment of opening envelopes with friends. Only one email opens alone. And there are people who don’t even receive that email. Every year, I see: There are people who study very well and get very high scores and work hard …but still no match. It’s not

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THE DIFFICULTEST THING ABOUT BEING A DOCTOR IN THE US… IS NOT KNOWLEDGE

Ho Tro 23/07/2026 No Comments

Many people think that working as a doctor in America has: * Better system * Higher salary * Life is more stable And these things are absolutely true. But if you think just being good will make you okay… you’ll be shocked. Because the most difficult thing here is not what you know. It’s that doctors don’t have as many decisions as you think. And before you think: “Is it the same in Vietnam?” Are not. Not the same. In America, there is a principle that completely changes the way you work as a doctor: Patients have more decision-making power than doctors. You can: * Know the diagnosis clearly * Know the best treatment direction * Knowing clearly that if they don’t do it, they will be at risk But if they say “no,” the answer is still “no.” Not: “Do

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THE MOST DANGEROUS MISTAKE IN THE USMLE JOURNEY IS THINKING THAT YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

Ho Tro 23/07/2026 No Comments

If you are thinking about USMLE and say to yourself: “Let’s just study first and then think about it.” Then this article is very important for you. This week is Match Week. There are many doctors waiting for an email that could change where they will live and work for years to come. And every year, I see the same thing repeat: A lot of people who don’t match… thought they were on the right track. Their record is not bad: * Passed the exams * Has US clinical experience * There is research * Have a letter of recommendation Looking at it… it feels “fine”. And that is what makes it dangerous. The worst thing is not doing something wrong. Which is wrong… but I don’t know I’m wrong. And here’s something important: This is not your fault. Most people start out

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DON’T GO TO THE US IF YOU HAVEN’T LEARNED THESE 5 THINGS

Ho Tro 23/07/2026 No Comments

Many people who come to America do not fail because they are poor. They fail because… they don’t know the rules. Sounds simple, but it’s true. Here, being good is not enough. You must understand how the system works. I used to waste time just because of that. Tried a lot… but still fell behind. Until I realized: 👉 It’s not that I’m weak 👉 But I’m playing by the wrong rules If you are about to go to America or are struggling for the first 1–2 years, These 5 things will help you go much faster. 1. Learn meditation — to keep your mind from breaking before your career breaks Going to America is the first thing that kills you not money. Not English. It’s… stress. Lonely. Compare. Imposter syndrome. See everyone is better than you. If your mind is not steady,

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5 PSYCHOLOGICAL LAWS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME EARLIER

Ho Tro 22/07/2026 No Comments

1. Don’t take things personally Don’t take everything as directed at you. The boss’s answer is a bit curt? Email a bit short? No one smiles at you? Don’t rush to think: “Maybe they don’t like me…” In the US, 90% of the reasons are simply: 👉 They are busy. The culture here is very straight forward and fast. No beating around the bush. Not much emotional. Many times… it has nothing to do with you. 👉 Less wandering thoughts = less fatigue 2. “You don’t need to be better, you just need to be more durable” Lots of great people… but disappeared midway. Because tired. Because of frustration. Because I thought, “I guess I’m not suitable.” While there are people who are more normal but they didn’t give up 3 years later… they succeeded In America: 👉 Perseverance is the most important

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Dr. Christina Nguyen's Blog

5 UNDERSTANDING RULES WHEN WORKING IN THE US – WHAT DECIDES WHETHER YOU PROMOTE OR GET STUCK

A FEW CONFIDENCES ON MATCH DAY – SHARING FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE US

THE DIFFICULTEST THING ABOUT BEING A DOCTOR IN THE US… IS NOT KNOWLEDGE

THE MOST DANGEROUS MISTAKE IN THE USMLE JOURNEY IS THINKING THAT YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

DON’T GO TO THE US IF YOU HAVEN’T LEARNED THESE 5 THINGS

5 PSYCHOLOGICAL LAWS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME EARLIER

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