Licensing

[Lostin_space]

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Hey guys,
So I'm in my third year, and debating about fellowship vs. job. I applied for one state license in a state I might want to practice. Do people typically apply for a few licenses in order be competitive for jobs/fellowships since it takes a while to get licensed in some places? Or should one wait?
Also for me that I switched out of one field and into another, my previous program was not particularly happy about me switching. While I switched out of that program several years ago and have had no contact with them, I am concerned that they would try to screw me on the post graduate training forms that programs have to fill. I did less than a year at that program.

How do I go about that? Suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

In general, you should not apply for licenses to make you "more competitive". Getting a license is usually straightforward, except in a few states. Cali and TX are notoriously time consuming. But if you look for jobs now, have one lined up by Feb, you'll likely get a license in time. Each additional license you have makes the next one more time consuming, as each state will want to hear from all of the other states that you have licenses at.

Your prior program will likely report the truth. The forms are relatively straightforward. They will report your dates. The major question is whether they will report any "problems". The exact questions are state specific.

 

[Lostin_space]

In general, you should not apply for licenses to make you "more competitive". Getting a license is usually straightforward, except in a few states. Cali and TX are notoriously time consuming. But if you look for jobs now, have one lined up by Feb, you'll likely get a license in time. Each additional license you have makes the next one more time consuming, as each state will want to hear from all of the other states that you have licenses at.

Your prior program will likely report the truth. The forms are relatively straightforward. They will report your dates. The major question is whether they will report any "problems". The exact questions are state specific.

Right, I'm worried about they saying anything negative, most of those forms are entirely subjective. The program did not want me to leave, they tried to convince me repeatedly to stay, even bought me a cake and stuff which was weird. I never had any period of probation, remediation, nothing like that. It simply was not a good specialty fit for me, and I'm very very glad I left the specialty. I have my training license now and they had to fill out a form for here, I know there was nothing negative on it, but you never know. What if they lie?

 

[mvenus929]

What if they lie?

There are multiple legal ramifications to lying, and I'm pretty sure you're not worth it.

 

[Lostin_space]

There are multiple legal ramifications to lying, and I'm pretty sure you're not worth it.

I'm not worth it? Yikes, thanks dude. They can say "Lost in Space was not a good resident." Of course there's never been any remediation, probation, complaints or anything else, but that doesn't mean that they can't say it and lead to a nightmare situation for me. Attendings are not always the nicest people, particularly when they feel challenged or residents who have less power do things they don't like, like leaving a specialty that's not a good fit.

 

[BoardingDoc]

I'm not worth it? Yikes, thanks dude. They can say "Lost in Space was not a good resident." Of course there's never been any remediation, probation, complaints or anything else, but that doesn't mean that they can't say it and lead to a nightmare situation for me. Attendings are not always the nicest people, particularly when they feel challenged or residents who have less power do things they don't like, like leaving a specialty that's not a good fit.

The not worth it comment clearly wasn't an insult. Absolutely no idea how you managed to construe it as such. As for the rest of this post, you're starting to cross the line from legitimate concern to rampant paranoia.

 

[gutonc]

I'm not worth it? Yikes, thanks dude. They can say "Lost in Space was not a good resident." Of course there's never been any remediation, probation, complaints or anything else, but that doesn't mean that they can't say it and lead to a nightmare situation for me. Attendings are not always the nicest people, particularly when they feel challenged or residents who have less power do things they don't like, like leaving a specialty that's not a good fit.

But they already did it once and it was fine. What makes you think they're going to f*** you the next time?

Seriously, they really don't care about you. And that's not an insult. They've likely already forgotten you and the PC is just checking the "Yes" box on some form that arrives in his/her email.

You really need to relax.

 

[Lostin_space]

But they already did it once and it was fine. What makes you think they're going to f*** you the next time?

Seriously, they really don't care about you. And that's not an insult. They've likely already forgotten you and the PC is just checking the "Yes" box on some form that arrives in his/her email.

You really need to relax.

I will try to relax. But trust me when I say I'm unforgettable. I still get help from my internship program! And the program actually went to the ACGME to try to stop me from leaving so they did not take it lightly.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I will try to relax. But trust me when I say I'm unforgettable. I still get help from my internship program! And the program actually went to the ACGME to try to stop me from leaving so they did not take it lightly.

If they were happy with your performance, then they shouldn't have much problem filling out your paperwork. You are either somewhat confused or paranoid -- the ACGME can't do anything to prevent a resident from leaving. They could perhaps contact the NRMP and complain about a match violation, but that won't stop you from leaving, just from matching again.

Anyway, I think you're worried about nothing.

 

[Lostin_space]

If they were happy with your performance, then they shouldn't have much problem filling out your paperwork. You are either somewhat confused or paranoid -- the ACGME can't do anything to prevent a resident from leaving. They could perhaps contact the NRMP and complain about a match violation, but that won't stop you from leaving, just from matching again.

Anyway, I think you're worried about nothing.

They were unhappy about me leaving and it was not the warmest of departures. Sorry I said that incorrectly - not the ACGME, it was the NRMP they contacted in an attempt to screw me and prevent me from leaving. There was no match violation of any type. I did everything by the books but their attempt was to screw me - I don't think they were fully familiar with rules honestly, since they had not had a resident leave in over 10 years. Someone left the year after me too but regardless they were unhappy with it.

I hope you are right though. You typically seem to be so I will trust your advice.

 

[mvenus929]

I'm not worth it? Yikes, thanks dude.

It wasn't an insult. If they lie about you, they could get in trouble with any number of entities and could potentially lose status with ACGME, NRMP, etc. why would anyone risk putting their program in jeopardy over a resident that isn't there anymore? I can't imagine anyone hating you so much that they would be that vindictive, hence, you're not worth all that effort. Besides, even if there weren't legal ramifications, it would still look really bad, and make people think twice about those who trained there. It would become more difficult to get good applicants if their graduates couldn't go anywhere good after training...

I don't understand why you ar being so paranoid. You said yourself that they've already filled out the paperwork once without lying...