Mid-Residency Crisis?

[lovenhappiness]

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I have a question for the SDN residency experts. I am a third year resident in a 5 year program and I recently transferred from a high end academic program to a very sound community residency program. Initially, I thought that i was unhappy due to the enviroment at my old program (as most of the residents were). However, I have realized that while I enjoy operating I don't love it. I have done well clinically (patient management, ICU, post op care), but I am told that my surgical skill is lacking and I am behind for my year, but my current program is working with me. I transferred from a very malignant academic program. Like many academic programs the junior level residents don't first assist or log many cases early in residency. I am now considering changing specialities for a non-surgical field such as EM.

Should I tell my new PD and apply this year?
Should I resign and strengthen my EM app with a rotation or research (I have been offered a high paying flexible moonlighting job for the year)? Should I just keep going?

Honestly, I could live my life without regrets and an urge to be in the OR at this point. EM was my second choice. I am confused :/

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If your community program has an EM program, you should meet with their PD. I would not take time off for research or moonlighting, the transition from GS to EM happens not infrequently. Chances are you'll need to start back at the PGY-1 level, although they may give you some credit for rotations already completed. If you decide to apply, you should get into this year's match (assuming your local program doesn't have an open EM slot). You'll need a SLOR, although there is some chance that programs would accept a letter from your PD.

Applying to EM is the end of your GS career. Your PD will likely have you finish out the year and not renew you, no matter what happens.

 

[daktar]

I can't top aprog's advice. But I think I understand what you're going through. As I switched from an academic to community program to a different specialty and now having the same "blah" feeling as you. I know all about how minds can change. You think you want something then you try and realize its not what you wanted. But sooner or later you just have to make a final decision and stick with that decision. Otherwise you will never finish.

At this point, I'd recommend finishing out the year. You just moved to a new program and I don't think now is the time to voice your regrets or second thoughts to anyone in the program, since I think everyone, from the residents to the attendings to the PD, are still trying to figure you out. Maybe halfway or towards the end of the year you can start talking to people if you still feel you need to switch. If not just try and finish out the residency, then re evaluate. If you do go back to EM, at the most it'd be 3 years of residency(similar to if you decided to do a plastics fellowship at least timewise)

Its a tough situation. I totally understand how you feel. For some us, unfortunately, the light bulb never really went off in terms of hitting it off with a particular specialty. In the end, you just pick one and try to deal with it best you can and hope to earn enough to look after your family.

 

[Taciturngosamer]

Grass is always greener....suck it up count down the days. Graduate and life is better.

 

[Top Gun]

Grass is always greener....suck it up count down the days. Graduate and life is better.

Agree here. I've noticed on these threads that there are too many residents who are not satisfied for whatever reason with their current program, and are looking to get out. At some point, you have to make a decision on what you want and stick with it. And it should be before you apply for residency. No specialty is perfect, but before you even apply for a residency, you should have an idea of whether you would be happy with the specialty or not.

 

[rokshana]

the other thing you could consider is completing the GS residency and then do a critical care fellowship...if ICU care is something you like, that may be a way to utilize your residency.

you have already changed residency because you THOUGHT the reason you were unhappy wit the program...now you THINK you are unhappy because you now think surgery is not for you...what have you done to make you think EM is the place for you? If you really think EM is what you want, use this year to maybe do an elective in the ED or spend sometime in the ED to see if this move is the best for you...because IMHO if you do manage to switch for a 2nd time and find you are unhappy...i would think it would be difficult to change for a 3rd time.

 

[Buzz Me]

Honestly, I could live my life without regrets and an urge to be in the OR at this point. EM was my second choice. I am confused :/

Your thread from 2012 said that you were considering switching to Radiology as you also enjoyed that field during med school. Are you sure you aren't just dissatisfied with residency in general? It can be a tough grind, especially if you aren't getting to the OR much.

I would hate to see you switch to EM and then be unhappy in that field as well.

 

[Groove]

I have a question for the SDN residency experts. I am a third year resident in a 5 year program and I recently transferred from a high end academic program to a very sound community residency program. Initially, I thought that i was unhappy due to the enviroment at my old program (as most of the residents were). However, I have realized that while I enjoy operating I don't love it. I have done well clinically (patient management, ICU, post op care), but I am told that my surgical skill is lacking and I am behind for my year, but my current program is working with me. I transferred from a very malignant academic program. Like many academic programs the junior level residents don't first assist or log many cases early in residency. I am now considering changing specialities for a non-surgical field such as EM.

Should I tell my new PD and apply this year?
Should I resign and strengthen my EM app with a rotation or research (I have been offered a high paying flexible moonlighting job for the year)? Should I just keep going?

Honestly, I could live my life without regrets and an urge to be in the OR at this point. EM was my second choice. I am confused :/

Finish your GS residency.

 

[cartoondoc]

I think you need to stick out the year. There are always problems when you make a transition. You owe it to the new program and to yourself to give it a fair chance.

 

[mestielest]

My personal idea as a 3rd year urology resident is finishing GS residency is the best choice. I have decided to resign four times but my family changed my mind. I resigned once without talking to anyone. I went to hospital and gave my resignation. My program director refused my resignation. I liked the speciality but I had problems with hospital's administration style. But from a realistic view point I have to say that sticking up to where you have started is a sensible movement. Try to have good time after hospital, dont mind the problems in working environment, leave the job at hospital and just think that you will be a surgeon who makes enough money to support your life. Dont be upset about your surgical skills. Nobody is magician. Some of us learning faster, some of us slower. Some of us would solve a problem immediately in OR by himself/herself and some of us call a senior. At the last everybody will be able to perform the procedures to earn his money. Take care 👍 😉