is there anyone out there who has taken time off between med school and residency? what does one even do during that time besides research? i find myself in a position where i'm *forced* to take a year off after graduating this year, and i'm exploring what my options are for the interim.

anyone out there with a similar experience? what kind of jobs are there for MDs? any ideas would be really appreciated...

thanks :)

Taking time off between med school and residency might hurt your chances of getting a residency spot. Program directors generally like to take fresh grads.

is there anyone out there who has taken time off between med school and residency? what does one even do during that time besides research? i find myself in a position where i'm *forced* to take a year off after graduating this year, and i'm exploring what my options are for the interim.

anyone out there with a similar experience? what kind of jobs are there for MDs? any ideas would be really appreciated...

thanks :)


You can do a year of research. I took this last year off to have my daughter and it didn't affect my residency placement. In fact, I got my first choice :D I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck! And enjoy the time while you can!

The above post depicts an example of a productive and meaningful reason as to why one would take a year off between graduation and residency. However, the correct answer is to your question is circumstantial and dependent upon what you are planning to do with that year. It requires no more than common sense. Examples such as doing research, having a baby, medical problems, problems acquiring a Visa, etc... are valid reasons for not starting residency. Needing a year off to drink vodka under the palm tree in Antigua will probably not go over to well with a program director no matter how appealing it may sound.

You can do a year of research. I took this last year off to have my daughter and it didn't affect my residency placement. In fact, I got my first choice :D I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck! And enjoy the time while you can!

Mission work in eastern Europe, teaching at a UN/EU sponsored university seemed to be a pretty accepted reason. But, I had a secure position lined up before I left.

Mission work in eastern Europe, teaching at a UN/EU sponsored university seemed to be a pretty accepted reason. But, I had a secure position lined up before I left.


Wow, I'll take you anytime! Thats impressive :)

You can take step3 and get licensed and work in urgent care clinic/ER or doc-in-a box although some states want you to do a yr of residency (prelim/trans, anything) to get licensed in that state. Just a suggestion. I didn't do it, so you might want to check up on that.

But if you don't have a secured position, i would try to do something that would help in residency app. as well, so research in that specialty or international work. It might be harder to find a paid position.

You can take step3 and get licensed and work in urgent care clinic/ER or doc-in-a box although some states want you to do a yr of residency (prelim/trans, anything) to get licensed in that state. Just a suggestion. I didn't do it, so you might want to check up on that.

Wrongo! Times have changed. There are zero states that will give you an unrestricted license without a minimum of one year of residency. Most now require 2 years of residency. Next, no third party wil put you on their panel unless you are board eligible. RNPs/independent NPs are cheaper. So, that means you work for cash for service. Finally, it's increasingly difficult to get any hospital admitting privileges without being board eligible. Even the IHS is now requiring bc/be.

Wow, I'll take you anytime! Thats impressive :)

Why thank you Poety. Shucks...sheepish look.

Wrongo! Times have changed. There are zero states that will give you an unrestricted license without a minimum of one year of residency. Most now require 2 years of residency. Next, no third party wil put you on their panel unless you are board eligible. RNPs/independent NPs are cheaper. So, that means you work for cash for service. Finally, it's increasingly difficult to get any hospital admitting privileges without being board eligible. Even the IHS is now requiring bc/be.

Rules are different for IMGs and US grad. If you are a US grad like me, you are right, all the states require atleast 1yr prelim/trans to apply for license.

If you are an IMG, there's no way you can work in an urgent care setting without residency. However, if you are a US grad, with prelim/trans, you CAN WORK in an urgent setting with pay-these are not top hospitals but smaller community settings. How do I know? Two of my friends are doing it with only transitional (both have finished their transitional yr before). They have not done anything else (for many other reasons), and both have medical licenses.
So, it depends.

Rules are different for IMGs and US grad. If you are a US grad like me, you are right, all the states require atleast 1yr prelim/trans to apply for license.

If you are an IMG, there's no way you can work in an urgent care setting without residency. However, if you are a US grad, with prelim/trans, you CAN WORK in an urgent setting with pay-these are not top hospitals but smaller community settings. How do I know? Two of my friends are doing it with only transitional (both have finished their transitional yr before). They have not done anything else (for many other reasons), and both have medical licenses.
So, it depends.

Yes, there are still a few, very few states, that permit unrestricted licensure after 1 year or LCME/US grads. Some (two that I know of) now require three years of residency for everyone. For GPs (ie those who have done an internship) who have many years of practice, they are grandfathered, but the grandfathers are getting older, and at least in my state, people have been told that they have to be board eligible (LCME schools) to work even in rural community urgent care centers in designated health professions shortages. IE if you're not BE in family, internal medicine, ob-gyn or ER, they won't talk to you.

i took a year off after med school to get my MPH. if anything, it was quite helpful in securing a residency position....

i took a year off after med school to get my MPH. if anything, it was quite helpful in securing a residency position....


thanks for all your responses...im still at a loss as to what to do. as of right now, volunteering overseas seems to be where i'm headed. i think..

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