Extending residency/applying for attending positions late

[ImNotBritish]

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I am currently an intern in a 3 year program, and debating trying to have a baby during residency. My program's policy is that we can have up to 3 weeks off before we have to postpone our residency graduation. I would rather have 2-3 months off if I were to have a kid. Will it raise any red flags to future potential employers that I wouldn't be finishing in June like everyone else? I'd be happy to explain why, of course, but that will also open me up to potential employer concerns regarding whether I'd want maternity time off for future kids too. Thanks in advance!

 

[rokshana]

you WILL have to explain the gap forever…on licensure applications, credentialing paperwork and so forth…that's a given.
FMLA will give you 12 weeks off (unpaid unless sick leave and vacation time is used to get pay)…but the ACGME will trump that by only allowing you to have 4 weeks off in a given year before you have to extend your residency (so its not your program alone that is requiring you to extend the time of residency).

as for potential employers…its hard to say whether behind closed doors it will ding you…

if you want to take that much time off, you will have to graduate off cycle…only you can decide if its worth it…but let your PD know early in your pregnancy so they don't' have to make last minute changes in the schedule…you co residents will appreciate it too since they will have to cover you while you are off.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It is totally fine to take an FMLA leave for pregnancy. The only time it becomes a problem is if you want to do a fellowship after residency. In IM, most fellowships start in July. If your graduation is delayed until Aug or Sept, you might need to wait a year before doing a fellowship -- although I've had plenty of residents in similar situations match into fellowships and just start them late.