Dr Lieu-Chi Nguyen is a Stage 3 RANZCP psychiatry trainee currently based in Cairns, QLD. She shared reflections on her professional and personal journey as a psychiatry trainee so far, and advice to those considering undertaking psychiatry training.

'I have always been interested in stories and existential questions. Psychiatry relates to these areas the most.

What makes our patients unique on a personal level, their relationships, interests and values, are integral to our assessment and management.

Psychiatry has taken me everywhere – from inpatient units of urban Sydney, tropical island clinics, to remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York.

And most importantly, exploring my own self as a clinician and a human through my care of others, often in the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

If I have any advice for those applying or thinking of applying for the training program, it would be that the first twelve months of your training will be the most challenging – hang in there and I hope, like me, you will see it as privilege to work in this rapidly expanding and incredibly interesting field.'

Disclaimer: Any patients mentioned in this article have been deidentified and created for the purposes of this article. This article may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). By accessing the article you also agree to the RANZCP Website Terms of Use Agreement.