delayed start of residency

[Daja]

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Hello!
I have several questions about starting a residency.
I have graduated Med School in Germany 4 years ago (took Step 1 while in Germany, over 7 years ago) and have been living in the US since then, staying at home.
After my third child is now 2 I would like to start thinking about my "other" career again 🙂
I hope I will be able to take and pass Step 2 first (not sure about the seven year rule yet) and then possibly start a residency in Anesthesiology.
I have read a lot online but still don't feel like I know enough about the matching system. My main concerns are: Will the long time (4 years) since my graduation as a FMG be a big obstacle? Is it likely I will find something in the NY/NJ area where I live?
Would there be ANY hope to find something like a shared/part-time residency?
Or should I forget all about that right now and look into something research etc..?
(Visa is not a factor as I am married to a US citizen).
My focus is not on a great career, and we will probably move back to Germany eventually but it would be nice to get started with some medical practicing sometime.
Any input is appreciated as I don't have any contact to Med. Students or Residents here.
Thanks,
Julia

 

[michaelrack]

My main concerns are: Will the long time (4 years) since my graduation as a FMG be a big obstacle? Is it likely I will find something in the NY/NJ area where I live?
Would there be ANY hope to find something like a shared/part-time residency?

yes, that's a good area to be looking for a position, no

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello!
I have several questions about starting a residency.
I have graduated Med School in Germany 4 years ago (took Step 1 while in Germany, over 7 years ago) and have been living in the US since then, staying at home.
After my third child is now 2 I would like to start thinking about my "other" career again 🙂
I hope I will be able to take and pass Step 2 first (not sure about the seven year rule yet) and then possibly start a residency in Anesthesiology.
I have read a lot online but still don't feel like I know enough about the matching system. My main concerns are: Will the long time (4 years) since my graduation as a FMG be a big obstacle? Is it likely I will find something in the NY/NJ area where I live?
Would there be ANY hope to find something like a shared/part-time residency?
Or should I forget all about that right now and look into something research etc..?
(Visa is not a factor as I am married to a US citizen).
My focus is not on a great career, and we will probably move back to Germany eventually but it would be nice to get started with some medical practicing sometime.
Any input is appreciated as I don't have any contact to Med. Students or Residents here.
Thanks,
Julia

Agree with the prior poster. Being an IMG/FMG several years out makes it harder. There are a lot if programs in the NY NJ area so that's as good as any to focus. You will be very unlikely to line up a shared residency -- very few PDs are interested in this because their life is much simpler with fewer moving parts, and there is no shortage of good people seeking residency slots. Similarly, anesthesiology may be difficult As it us moderately competitive these days (depends on your credentials and stats). As to looking to get trained in the US without the goal of working here, I question the wisdom, and suggest that if you broadcast this a Lot if places won't be interested in you because we have a physician shortage in some regions as is, and so training really should be relegated to those planning to remain here. If you want to be realistic, shoot for hat you want, but expect to have a rough journey, and more likely end up working lots if hours at some IMG friendly community hospital doing something less competitive.

 

[Ronin786]

Isn't the validity period for Step 1 7 years? If so you might have to take it again.

 

[K31]

Isn't the validity period for Step 1 7 years?

Many but not all states have a rule that all Steps be taken within 7 years. However, for some states the time limit is 10 years, and others have no limit at all. For example, New York has no limit on the time period to take them.

See here for the licensing rules for each state.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hello!
I have several questions about starting a residency.
I have graduated Med School in Germany 4 years ago (took Step 1 while in Germany, over 7 years ago) and have been living in the US since then, staying at home.
After my third child is now 2 I would like to start thinking about my "other" career again 🙂
I hope I will be able to take and pass Step 2 first (not sure about the seven year rule yet)...

Here are state requirements for licensure; many have a "7 year rule". New Jersey does; New York does not.

I have read a lot online but still don't feel like I know enough about the matching system. My main concerns are: Will the long time (4 years) since my graduation as a FMG be a big obstacle?

Yes especially since you have presumably been doing nothing clinical during those 4 years.

Is it likely I will find something in the NY/NJ area where I live?

There are lots of residencies in the NJ/NY area; you'll have to assess the requirements for licensure in those states and how you can meet them.

Would there be ANY hope to find something like a shared/part-time residency?

Most shared or part-time residencies are found in Ob and FM, although any program could consider them. In general, I would expect that for someone with a lot of strikes against them (several years out from graduation, FMG, no clinical work in 4 years, possible expiration of USMLE scores), that many programs would not be willing to offer you that unless they already had another resident who wanted to do it as well.

Or should I forget all about that right now and look into something research etc..?
(Visa is not a factor as I am married to a US citizen).

That's dependent on you and your family and how much work you want to put in to this (especially since it sounds like you want to move back to Germany. Bear in mind that a US residency may not allow you to practice there).

 

[Daja]

Thanks for the critical responses. It helps to have these factors confirmed. And I will certainly have to think hard about my commitment and long-term plans again.