How do you think it will be received by EM residency programs to interview pregnant (~6 months)? Is it better to take off a year after graduation and apply then instead?
This really depends. I think a 4 yr program 2-4 would be a good bet... FWIW some PDs were all about residents being happy and flat out saying that.. Others probably dont want to be a man or woman down...
Honestly I think that between interviewing pregnant and interviewing with a 9 month-1 year old it's really a toss-up. If you interview pregnant they will probably realize that you are due before you begin residency. If you take a year off then obviously you will be more "settled" when residency begins, but they might wonder if you will be looking for child #2 somewhere down the line. Bottom line: you are going to have a child and you ultimately want to be at a place that will be friendly to that so it probably doesn't matter when you interview. With that said, would you rather take a year and start residency when your child was over a year old or would you rather start residency with an infant?
I think most programs are very family oriented. I think it would be fine to interview that way. As to the second question, raising a child and doing a residency are going to be the two hardest and best things you ever do. Plenty of ladies have done that simultaneously, but if you wanted to take a year off to be with your newborn, I don't think it would be seen negatively.
yes, good advice from everyone- thanks. I think it comes down to essentially this question of personal preferences in terms of taking a year off or not- it seems that either way for residency interviewing/matching won't matter much. Any other opinions are welcomed. Is there anyone else out there who went through residency with young kids (going straight through or taking a year off)- I'd be interested to hear your stories. Thanks!
I think it depends a lot on the atmosphere of a program (if most of the residents are single/childless it might hurt you more). I think it probably won't matter at all at most places. Lots of residents have kids and are still great residents.
