Hey everyone,
I posted back in May when I had about 3 months left on my PGY-1 extension in an unopposed FM program. At that time my program had told me I wouldn’t be promoted and that it was very unlikely I’d even get PGY-1 credit. I was debating whether to just leave with 12 months and a verification letter without pgy1 completion certificate or stick it out through the 15 months and risk it.
I ended up staying, and honestly I’m glad I did. It was during those last months that things finally came together once my ADHD treatment stabilized. My documentation, organization, and reasoning under pressure improved a lot. I regret not getting it sorted sooner because it took months of trial and error to find the right dose, and I’d never been stretched as thin as I was in residency, so I thought I was “managing” when really I wasn’t.
By the end, I did meet all my PGY-1 milestones. I passed step 3. My evaluations reflected substantial improvement, I was officially granted my PGY-1 completion certificate, and one of my attendings even wrote in a LOR that I’m performing at a PGY-2 level. Many of my attendings said I’m at indirect supervision level finally. My PD also gave me a supportive letter.
That said, my contract still wasn’t renewed for PGY-2. Their main concern was that I might regress under new pressures, despite the progress I’d shown. That’s been discouraging, but I know I’ve come out of this stronger, with my ADHD finally well controlled and my workflow in place.
Now I’m at a crossroads and could use some advice. Since I have my PGY-1 certificate, am I basically only eligible for PGY-2 FM openings, or could I still apply to PGY-1 FM spots again? I’m also open to switching into other specialties like IM or EM, but would those programs even consider me for PGY-1 given my background? And if those options aren’t realistic, what else can I do to stay on track with training?
Appreciate any perspective. Thanks again to everyone who replied to me back in May.
I posted back in May when I had about 3 months left on my PGY-1 extension in an unopposed FM program. At that time my program had told me I wouldn’t be promoted and that it was very unlikely I’d even get PGY-1 credit. I was debating whether to just leave with 12 months and a verification letter without pgy1 completion certificate or stick it out through the 15 months and risk it.
I ended up staying, and honestly I’m glad I did. It was during those last months that things finally came together once my ADHD treatment stabilized. My documentation, organization, and reasoning under pressure improved a lot. I regret not getting it sorted sooner because it took months of trial and error to find the right dose, and I’d never been stretched as thin as I was in residency, so I thought I was “managing” when really I wasn’t.
By the end, I did meet all my PGY-1 milestones. I passed step 3. My evaluations reflected substantial improvement, I was officially granted my PGY-1 completion certificate, and one of my attendings even wrote in a LOR that I’m performing at a PGY-2 level. Many of my attendings said I’m at indirect supervision level finally. My PD also gave me a supportive letter.
That said, my contract still wasn’t renewed for PGY-2. Their main concern was that I might regress under new pressures, despite the progress I’d shown. That’s been discouraging, but I know I’ve come out of this stronger, with my ADHD finally well controlled and my workflow in place.
Now I’m at a crossroads and could use some advice. Since I have my PGY-1 certificate, am I basically only eligible for PGY-2 FM openings, or could I still apply to PGY-1 FM spots again? I’m also open to switching into other specialties like IM or EM, but would those programs even consider me for PGY-1 given my background? And if those options aren’t realistic, what else can I do to stay on track with training?
Appreciate any perspective. Thanks again to everyone who replied to me back in May.
