Over 30,000 candidates took the Specialized Health Training (FSE) exam this Saturday, with a mix of nerves, relaxation, and excitement among the applicants. Tania Gutiérrez, a 34-year-old single mother of two, studied and balanced her family responsibilities in preparation for the Resident Internal Physician (MIR) exam. This is her second attempt at the exam, and she is determined to celebrate with her family and friends after the test.
This year, the FSE offered a historic number of positions, with 11,607 spots available in various specialties such as Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, and Pharmacy. Despite the high number of positions, there is concern about the unfilled spots, especially in Family Medicine, which remained vacant in previous calls. A candidate, Ander Santiago, after intense preparation, revealed his passion for Primary Care and his dream of becoming a family doctor.
Like a professional athlete preparing for a competition, Bernat Serarols Mabras compared the exam to important competitions. With a background in athletics, Bernat is confident in his preparation and is focused on performing well in the exam. He has his eyes set on Plastic Surgery and Traumatology but is open to possibilities if he does not get his desired specialty.
Nursing candidates, such as Nuria Martín, are also preparing for the exams. Despite the opportunity for a large number of positions, the attractiveness of certain specialties remains a concern, according to Alejandra García López, acting president of the MIR Spain Association. The system should be revised to make certain positions more attractive, and the reinstatement of real-time election for positions could help reduce vacant spots.