So I switched from Internal Medicine to Psychiatry after my intern year. I starting thinking about switching after my first 2 months of IM, then halfway through the year decided to go for it. I was always interested in Psych and was hating IM internship, and it seemed like the right thing for me at the time. I am usually very conscientious and make good decisions, so I had the full support of my family and friends and nobody really questioned my decision to make the change. I was thrilled to be accepted into the Psych program as a PGY-2 at the same hospital.
However, towards the end of intern year I started enjoying IM more and got excellent evaluations, and was already beginning to regret my decision to leave. Looking back now, I recognize many other factors that influenced my decision. IM residency is not easy, especially as an intern. I was constantly exhuasted, feeling overworked, and was dealing with a lot of personal issues at the same time. I thought changing specialties was the answer to my problems, without fully acknowledging all the other issues that were likely clouding my judgement. Now I see that I was drawn to Psych during my intern year largely because I needed to see a psychiatrist, not become one!
I have done a month of Psych now and have much respect for the field. However, I now remember why I didn't choose Psych as a career in the first place. I wish I could go back and finish my IM residency. I doubt this is even possible at this point but I wonder if anybody has heard of residents switching out a second time? I realize that this will make me come off as a total flake, but I also have to consider that it is my career.
Anyhow, any thoughts or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
However, towards the end of intern year I started enjoying IM more and got excellent evaluations, and was already beginning to regret my decision to leave. Looking back now, I recognize many other factors that influenced my decision. IM residency is not easy, especially as an intern. I was constantly exhuasted, feeling overworked, and was dealing with a lot of personal issues at the same time. I thought changing specialties was the answer to my problems, without fully acknowledging all the other issues that were likely clouding my judgement. Now I see that I was drawn to Psych during my intern year largely because I needed to see a psychiatrist, not become one!
I have done a month of Psych now and have much respect for the field. However, I now remember why I didn't choose Psych as a career in the first place. I wish I could go back and finish my IM residency. I doubt this is even possible at this point but I wonder if anybody has heard of residents switching out a second time? I realize that this will make me come off as a total flake, but I also have to consider that it is my career.
Anyhow, any thoughts or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.