Advice for switching fields/getting out of contract as PGY2?

[lilycat]

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So, I'm finishing my PGY1 year and have come to realize that my current field is just not for me. I have decided to switch fields and there may be a spot in the class starting this July, but they won't fully consider me until I talk to my current program director and get a letter of release from the program. Since this is PGY2, how difficult will this be? Does my current PD pretty much hold all the cards? I feel bad doing this to my program at the end of the academic year, but I wasn't expecting to be offered a possible spot for this summer, and I would love to not wait out another year. If anyone has experience in this, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[George85]

Someone in my FP program wanted to take an open PGY2 spot in the IM program - the IM prog director was enthusiastic, all seemed to be going ok - then the FP prog director stopped it happening.

So, my sage advice .... obviously, go see your prog director. Spend some time listing out the points you want to make - that way you're clear in your own mind where you want the conversation to go. Don't say a single negative thing about your current program or speciality - or at least say it in a positive manner ..... "I'm not as good with people as I was hoping I would be" ... or similar BS. Be very specific about why you want to do anesthesia, and less about why you want to change from your current speciality - if that makes sense - avoid comments like "have you seen their salaries!!!"

At the end of the day I'm sure much of it is institution dependent and down to personalities.