surgery night float team: should medical students have a spot on the roster?

Background: following the trend of residency programs, more medical schools are offering night float (nf) schedules for clerkships and sub-internship rotations. the efficacy of this structure to educate students and prepare them for residency was evaluated. methods: twenty individuals were surveyed after a month-long 4th year nf elective in trauma and emergency surgery. results: thirteen participants responded (65%), reporting more bedside procedures (84.7%) and oneon- one teaching with residents (84.7%), when compared to daytime shifts. six (46.2%) experienced more operative procedures and contact with the attending physician. all participants (100%) reported: increased autonomy; that this elective better prepared them for their surgical residencies; and that they would recommend this type of program to other students considering a career in surgery. conclusion: overall the nf surgical sub-internship was an effective and well-received experience for 4th medical students, with increased autonomy, more frequent procedures, and added resident-led education, when compared to a traditional daytime surgical clerkship/sub-internship. a nf schedule can be a valuable learning experience that prepares medical students for surgical residency.