How to switch as a PGY-2? Ridiculous to think about?

[PotentialEMer]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So, I am currently a PGY-2, in a specialty where I did at TY for my intern year. I LOVED my ER month during intern year, and am flirting with the idea of switching to ER.

Is it ridiculous to think about switching at this point? In a perfect world I'd apply in a couple weeks, as I wouldn't want to extend training if I didn't have to.

Just curious what all of your thoughts/advice would be. I like my field, and find it interesting, but I just found that I was happier during my ER month with the schedule/work flow than I am now after a few months in my advanced specialty.

Any advice?

If I decide to go ahead what in the world would I need to do??

 

[DeadCactus]

Relatively common for people to switch specialties at some point. You would need a letter of rec or two from some of the EM attendings you worked with and a letter of support from your PD. Don't count on getting a full year of credit toward EM. Also be aware that while an off-service rotation is a good taste, it's not the same as being a resident or attending. There's a difference between liking EM and liking being the off service resident who cherrypicks 6 patients with minimal expectations on their performance and leaves the shift 15 minutes early...

Other than that, it's a personal decision.

 

[anonymousEM]

The most you would get towards a 3 year EM program would be 6months, but it would be program dependent as to how much would be accepted--some places would give no credit. There might be a few 1+3 EM programs remaining, where the EM 2-4 years follow a transitional year but I think many have gone to 1-4 where you'd likely still only get 6 months of credit. Look into whether you will need a SLOR as an untraditional applicant, I am not certain.

Finally, consider that you might be able to find a program with open spots that would take you as a transfer off cycle. I think SAEM has a database of open positions. I know people who have switched, in fact, two were in my class 10 years ago but I'm sure things have changed a bit as well. Best of luck deciding what you really want to do!