Dropping out and step 3

[jd4540]

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Despite being in a relatively benign transitional program, I'm giving serious thought about dropping out of this madness and chaos. With that said if I dont complete this year and leave medicine all together is there any point in taking/passing step 3?

 

[psych.MD]

Yes you can take step 3 without any residency experience (or in your case a few months) depending on the state you are in.

I passed step 3 in Texas before I even started (and then quit) my residency program this year.

Good Luck! I would suggest just taking step 3 regardless of what you plan on doing in the future. As I know from personal experience, we all change our minds and the last thing you would want to do 10 years down the road is take step 3 after being out of medicine for years.

 

[CouchPotato]

not to mention having to take step 1 and 2 (including CS) again...

 

[doc02]

Despite being in a relatively benign transitional program, I'm giving serious thought about dropping out of this madness and chaos. With that said if I dont complete this year and leave medicine all together is there any point in taking/passing step 3?

No, with the caveat that you'd better be extremely sure of your decision and the consequences thereof. As with all of medicine, there's almost no going back to correct mistakes (we're extremely great that way).

Note: there is also no benefit to completing an intern year. People routinely say that there is, but when I ask them for specifics they start talking about how it helped "a friend of a friend of a friend" or vaguely say "you can do something in industry." There is NO BENEFIT to completing an intern year unless you plan to continue to pursue practicing medicine as a career. It is the medical equivalent of an urban legend that everyone spreads.

The only reason to continue internship is if you are really uncertain if you like medicine or not. Then, you should give it time. But if you know that you don't want it, I'd leave the next day, no joke.

 

[mlw03]

Yes you can take step 3 without any residency experience (or in your case a few months) depending on the state you are in.

I passed step 3 in Texas before I even started (and then quit) my residency program this year.

Good Luck! I would suggest just taking step 3 regardless of what you plan on doing in the future. As I know from personal experience, we all change our minds and the last thing you would want to do 10 years down the road is take step 3 after being out of medicine for years.

i'm just a little curious why someone who has quit their residency is perusing these forums.

 

[InductionAgent]

Despite being in a relatively benign transitional program, I'm giving serious thought about dropping out of this madness and chaos. With that said if I dont complete this year and leave medicine all together is there any point in taking/passing step 3?

Don't make life-changing decisions based on a mood swing. You've put a lot of time, effort, and money into getting your undergraduate and medical degree. You're in the midst of what tends to be the most difficult year of your medical career by many people's recollections. Talk to your program director and/or whatever counseling is available about difficulties that are bothering you, take things one day at a time. Don't burn your bridges.

 

[doc02]

Do not talk to your program director, as your program director will not necessarily have your best interest as their first priority. If you wish to talk to someone about this, you need to discuss it with someone outside of your program, such as an ombudsman or someone in another specialty who will keep the mater confidential.

 

[InductionAgent]

Do not talk to your program director, as your program director will not necessarily have your best interest as their first priority. If you wish to talk to someone about this, you need to discuss it with someone outside of your program, such as an ombudsman or someone in another specialty who will keep the mater confidential.

The only one that is likely to have the OP's interest as their first priority is the OP.

It would depend on the nature of the dissatisfaction and what the PD is like as to the advisability of talking with him/her. It is up to the OP to discern whether or not the PD is a good person to talk with.

Most PDs are reasonable and concerned about their residents' well-being; they generally want to know what their interns/residents are unhappy about. They also have a personal interest in seeing their interns successfully complete their training and can help make adjustments to ensure this happens.

 

[johankriek]

I personally think you should finish the year and take step 3.. Many states require one year and step 3 for a license.. You should at least get your license before you quit. Seriously. Im not telling you not to quit because I wish I had.. but at least get a license that way you can do some paperwork as a physician at least.even if its not clinical medicine which sucks