IM wanting EM

[EMwannabe]

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I am an IMG with step 1 and 2 over 220 both in 90's. As I was going through the last interview season I had 7 ER interviews scheduled but got offered a prematch for a Catagorical IM position at a University Hospital. Being an IMG I was over anxious to just have a good spot and I never realized how much I miss the ED until now. I am now starting my IM residency, however, I have had some second doubts about not going into EM. I am sure this is a natural reaction but my question to you guys is #1 What can I do if I decide EM is really what I want to do with my life. What can I do, when do I need to make my mind up and how to go about it. I would be more than willing to repeat my intern year all over again but I just didn't know if I could leave my current program after I finish one year and actually go through the match again??? or how would that work.

any advice would be appreciated
Thanks!

 

[DrQuinn]

First off, congrats at matching for an IM spot. Good for you for being offered not only a IM position but also 7 EM interviews! That bodes well for you.

You don't necessarily "have to decide" on anything now. What you can do is get your ERAS application together, pick some programs you want to apply to, then send it off. Once you start getting interviews, THEN its time to decide if you want to pursue it all a step further. Until you click "Submit" on your ERAS, you haven't really "done anything."

I'm no application guru, but you'll likely have to start your PGY-1 year over again (assuming there are no visa issues or federal funding issues). You may be lucky enough to scramble into an unfilled position somewhere where a resident left or what-not.

I'm sure other SDNers will have lots more advice, but what i would say is try to keep your head cool during your first few months as an intern, they're probably the toughest (although I think burnout is pretty universal 'round the holidays for most interns)... but try to find time to figure out if EM is for you. If you're at a place where there is an EM residency, even better, go talk to the EM residents down there.

Q, DO

 

[ERMudPhud]

Call around to all the 2,3,4 programs asking if any of them have had an intern change their mind. Many years someone will decide to just stay in whatever field they were doing their internship in and the programs will have to find someone to fill a pgy2 spot in their upcoming class