3rd time oral boards

[leaverus]

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Well, another year and the 3rd attempt at passing orals fast approaches for me. Frankly, i've lost motivation to prepare for this exam - failing last year killed it for me; and i've decided that i'm not going to put my life on hold in order to prepare as intensely as i did last year nor spend that kind of money. I put a lot of effort into it last year and despite that effort i'm either incapable of passing an oral examination or i got screwed or some other explanation. Now i'm not totally blowing it off but i'm certainly not going to put as much pressure on myself as i did last year; gonna go in there having practiced and hope for the best. IF i fail this time i don't think i'll be taking it again (i know i'd have to pass writtens again). I'm not looking for encouragement or advice on how to pass or anything like that so please don't give it. What i would like to know is what are my options employment-wise (not currently employed for reasons i'd rather not explain) if i don't attain board certification? Seems like most groups require it absolutely or at least for partnership and almost all hospitals require it after X years.

 

[Gern Blansten]

I think that certain VA's have relaxed standards regarding the boards. I don't think that a 3rd failure means re-taking the writtens. I do know that after failing the writtens 3 times, you can get someone to "vouch" for you and you can get another 3 tries. Then, you have to retrain for a year. There may be a reentry method for the orals as well. I don't know for sure.

I know you said you weren't looking for encouragement, but I wish to give it to you anyway. Keep your chin up. I know a few who failed twice and passed on the third. They kept up the fight. I hope you can pull it off.

 

[leaverus]

VA's, huh? Forgot about them - thnx, i'll keep that in mind. As for retaking it, i'm not worried about being given the opportunity via waiver or anything like that - i just don't intend to take it again. The years go by fast and i've got too much stuff i want to do with my life other than waste it preparing for this exam anymore. I've been wanting to take the annual SCA echo course (for fun, don't really need echo for anything) and haven't been able to do that because of this lousy exam. Sadly, i don't think a single one of my attendings in residency would have predicted i'd fail this test. I'm just a quiet person by nature and talking out loud doesn't come easy for me.

 

[Gern Blansten]

VA's, huh? Forgot about them - thnx, i'll keep that in mind. As for retaking it, i'm not worried about being given the opportunity via waiver or anything like that - i just don't intend to take it again. The years go by fast and i've got too much stuff i want to do with my life other than waste it preparing for this exam anymore. I've been wanting to take the annual SCA echo course (for fun, don't really need echo for anything) and haven't been able to do that because of this lousy exam. Sadly, i don't think a single one of my attendings in residency would have predicted i'd fail this test. I'm just a quiet person by nature and talking out loud doesn't come easy for me.

I have known 4 people over the years who were in your exact situation (having failed the orals twice and losing hope on their third try). Three of them passed on their third try and the other failed and never looked back. He had a stable job with the VA and had no intention of leaving, so it didn't really matter much to him. I wish you the best.
One other consideration is that many states now require some sort of recert exam every ten years in order to maintain your medical license (MOCA would fill this requirement). One option is a general medical exam that will cover general medicine and will not be specialty specific. I am not sure how many states have this in place, but I have a feeling it will be coming to most states soon.