Can one transfer programs in late June??

[flymojo99]

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Is it too late to transfer programs. If one is about to complete their PGY-3 year and about to start their PGY-4 year, is it too late as I've already signed my contract for the upcoming year. I think the contract may even say 60 notice required. But there have been some last minute residency switches in my field, so I could move...which would be for family reason!!

Any advice? I haven't opend up with my PD about the family problem, but now that there is a chance to transfer is it still possible with 2 weeks left in the cycle year?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

My personal opinion is that it would be unprofessional for you to simply quit and move with 2 weeks notice. If you work as a greeter at walmart, you can simply quit if you want. But when you have a professional position, reasonable notice is expected. If your contract says 60 days, that's what you would need to do.

 

[IMdocT]

i have no experience at all and am just starting, but i wonder if you can give 60 days notice while making the transfer official, but just start at the new program 1.5 months later. that sounds like a reasonable compromise to me? if the need to move is urgent, maybe try working things out as soon as possible? but that would mean talking to the PD, hopefully he/she is an understanding person

 

[smq123]

i have no experience at all and am just starting, but i wonder if you can give 60 days notice while making the transfer official, but just start at the new program 1.5 months later. that sounds like a reasonable compromise to me? if the need to move is urgent, maybe try working things out as soon as possible? but that would mean talking to the PD, hopefully he/she is an understanding person

Starting at a program 2 months late would really screw up the rotation schedule. I don't know how the receiving PD would feel about that.

Leaving a program 2 weeks before the new year starts would also be pretty bad. It leaves the PD with an empty spot that he needs to fill ASAP....which I don't think he'd appreciate. It seems like a crappy thing to do, honestly. 😳

 

[Winged Scapula]

Not to pile on, but I agree with the others: its a pretty ****ty thing to do.

Depending on your current PD, if you try and leave without giving adequate notice (and two months sounds low to me, given they are required to give you 90 days notice for contact renewal), they may stall giving you a letter of good standing (which the other program will want).

I'm sure there will be a host of posters who will state that residency programs treat residents like crap so you don't owe them anything. But IMHO that isn't a reason to act unprofessionally (as it sounds like you've known about your desire to move for quite some time).

 

[peppy]

How many years do you have left in your specialty? If you're close to graduating I really think it's not worth the trouble and possible ill will that moving to a different program so suddenly late in the game might generate. It might be best to stick it out for now and then move to your desired area as an attending.