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Hey everyone- long-time poster on the anesthesia forum in disguise dropping in to get some opinions.
I am currently an anesthesiology resident at a top 3 anesthesia program, and did my internship in internal medicine at the same institution, which is also a top medicine program. Last year took me completely by surprise- I loved it. I mean, it was hard, but I really loved the people I worked with and the relationships with patients. My goal has always been to be a cardiac anesthesiologist, and I traded for many cardiology rotations last year and spent approximately 24 weeks on the cards service, either floor or ICU. Through this, I became especially interested in cardiac imaging and structural heart disease. As the year drew to a close I spoke to a few cardiology fellows about my growing desire to defect from anesthesiology to IM so I could pursue cardiology. They were supportive, but urged me to complete a year of anesthesia before saying anything to the leadership.
Fast forward to now. Anesthesiology is a lot of fun. I love the procedures, the workflow, my interactions with patients before they go to the operating room. I haven't gotten to do any cardiac operations yet as a resident, but that's coming up soon, and I did a month as a 4th year medical student so I have some idea. Call is enjoyable most of the time (asleep unless needed). Great working environment.
But I'm still unsure how satisfied I'll be long-term in cardiac anesthesia, and still think about going for Cardiology. It would be the difference between supporting the patient getting their TAVR, and doing the procedure myself. I have a lot of support within the medicine department (a few attendings offered to help me switch last year when I discussed my interest with them), and history tells me my anesthesia program would be behind me. Just scared this is a grass-is-greener situation. I'd be looking at 7-8 years from the end of this year, 3-4 more than it would take me to do cardiac anesthesia with or without critical care fellowship. Should I just stick with the devil I know, or take the plunge?
Some other details- I am married to another resident, who is very supportive. We are in our late 20s with a fair amount of debt, no children, but hopes to have some soon.
Thanks!
I am currently an anesthesiology resident at a top 3 anesthesia program, and did my internship in internal medicine at the same institution, which is also a top medicine program. Last year took me completely by surprise- I loved it. I mean, it was hard, but I really loved the people I worked with and the relationships with patients. My goal has always been to be a cardiac anesthesiologist, and I traded for many cardiology rotations last year and spent approximately 24 weeks on the cards service, either floor or ICU. Through this, I became especially interested in cardiac imaging and structural heart disease. As the year drew to a close I spoke to a few cardiology fellows about my growing desire to defect from anesthesiology to IM so I could pursue cardiology. They were supportive, but urged me to complete a year of anesthesia before saying anything to the leadership.
Fast forward to now. Anesthesiology is a lot of fun. I love the procedures, the workflow, my interactions with patients before they go to the operating room. I haven't gotten to do any cardiac operations yet as a resident, but that's coming up soon, and I did a month as a 4th year medical student so I have some idea. Call is enjoyable most of the time (asleep unless needed). Great working environment.
But I'm still unsure how satisfied I'll be long-term in cardiac anesthesia, and still think about going for Cardiology. It would be the difference between supporting the patient getting their TAVR, and doing the procedure myself. I have a lot of support within the medicine department (a few attendings offered to help me switch last year when I discussed my interest with them), and history tells me my anesthesia program would be behind me. Just scared this is a grass-is-greener situation. I'd be looking at 7-8 years from the end of this year, 3-4 more than it would take me to do cardiac anesthesia with or without critical care fellowship. Should I just stick with the devil I know, or take the plunge?
Some other details- I am married to another resident, who is very supportive. We are in our late 20s with a fair amount of debt, no children, but hopes to have some soon.
Thanks!
