Moving Twice for Top Transitional Programs

[Cartman]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Dilemma:

Program A - Categorical with Q3-5 medicine or surgery Intern Year in the same location.

Program A -Advance with a very flexible Transitional Year tailored to your personal interests in a different city.

For those who completed an awesome Transitional Year in a different city - did you regret your decision? Was it worth the hassle of moving?

Thank you.

 

[DO4lifer]

if the anesthesia program is that good and is advanced, i would move twice.

if the shoe fits.

 

[Steric]

I was in a similar situation and even though I am just starting to think about my 500 mile move to start as a CA-1, I haven't regretted my decision at all. Having an enjoyable intern year has been so worth it. I will get the chance to check out two different cities and as much as moving absolutely blows, it is nothing compared to being completely miserable as an intern. I would choose the programs where you think you would be happiest, even if it involves moving twice.

 

[drccw]

Basically what you are asking if it's better to:
1) Intern year at hospital that you'll be doing anesthesia program-> sounds like it sucks and you'll work hard.
2) Transitional year that's cush....

You'll have to ask yourself what your priority is... I had a buddy who played a lot of Playstation during his intern year. Little call.... lots of weekends off... he's a damn fine anesthesiologist now... but he had to move his stuff; cross country twice.... it took him a couple of months to get up to speed I didn't move; intern year at same hospital. q4 call most months.. it sucked... I really did feel like I learned a lot... exposure to medicine and surgery... I feel like I am a damn fine anesthesiologist now as well...

So playstation or call...

 

[Pilot Doc]

As hard as it is to appreciate as a 4th year med student, the point of an intership if to teach you to be a doctor. Go to the program with a real internship.

 

[lfesiam]

I see it this way.

Time in the hospital vs. Time outside of the hospital.
What is your priority for internship or life in general. Is your "non-medicine" interest #1? or is "medicine" your #1? Do you want more time off to study for step 3? Are you married? Would your sig-other want to move twice, find a new job... but get to see you more often at home? TY usually will allows for more flexibility in your life.

Variety vs. Repetition
Do you want more variety in your internship year? Are you the type that can learn "necessary" medicine in 3 months or 6 months? Do you want to delve deeper into Medical Zebras or do want more variety in different fields? TY usually offer more electives. Heck, You can even do OB/GYN and PEDS too! Wonder why it is not required for Anes-PGY-1 since we will be taking care of OB/PEDS patients. (Kudos to Maine Program for the awesome PGY-1 design) Personally I think variety will better prepare you for anesthesiology. A blend of surgery, medicine, icu, ER, OB, pain, geriatric, pulm, card, renal, GI, peds....boy, we take care of a WIDE VARIETY of patients!!!! 🙂 (you can throw in psych for pain clinic).

Costs
Moving is a big hassle and costly. New apartments, addy, insurance, license plates, etc.

Learning the Hospital System once vs. twice.
Are you very good with computers and IT system? Can you pick up EMR quickly??? Learning a whole new system is a big hassle. Staying in the same system, you get to know your surgeons, nurses, meds, peds, ob colleagues... If you want to get a head start on learning the hospital system, I would suggest in staying in the same location.

In the end, you can't go wrong either way. If you apply yourself, transitional year will be just as good. Being a "real" doctor is so subjective these days. I say if you sincerely care for your patients, no matter where you did your internship, you're a real doc. But what do I know, I'm just an MS4 like you.

 

[Mista Suprane]

As hard as it is to appreciate as a 4th year med student, the point of an intership if to teach you to be a doctor. Go to the program with a real internship.

i wholeheartedly disagree, even though i did a supposed "real internship" (surgery prelim). you'll learn plenty about being a doctor in even the easiest of internships. perhaps i was a little ahead when i started CA-1 year (lines, intubations, etc.), but by three months into residency everyone is pretty much the same place anyway. and the further you get along into your career, it will matter even less.

if you don't mind moving twice, go for the cush TY - you'll get to live in two cities, meet all kinds of cool people, and it will be the last time you can really blow stuff off.

 

[Impromptu]

I asked the same question to a lot of residents, and most of them told me that transitional year people really had to work a lot harder during the first several months as a CA-1, while the medicine people were pretty much up to speed. As a CA-1 it would be nice to leave the attendings with the impression that you are one of the brainy residents. While everyone catches up, first impressions tend to stick around.

Like others have said, it is really up to you and what you want out of your PGY-1 year.

 

[error404]

I posted this in a different thread, but its been a while, and no one's responded, so I guess I'll put it out here.

My personal dilemma: Two amazing programs in the same location-- one transitional and one prelim. While everyone instinctively seems to know that transitional programs are more cush, I can't get over the absence of overnight call at the prelim. The prelim has gorgeous new facilities, a ton of good tech, and amazing ancillary staff. The transitional program is a county hospital where there are some serious complaints about parking, food and finding charts-- but all the elective time seems to really compensate. Both have amazing didactics, are affiliated with the same major university, and insanely happy interns. The difference in elective time turns out to be 5 wks. What would you do?

Personally, I know where I'm leaning, having talked to a ton of interns and certified my ROL, and that I can't lose if I manage to match to either. But I'd love to hear how much people value elective time and flexibility versus nice amenities, ancillary staff and no overnight call.

 

[Impromptu]

I keep my house immaculate, so nice ammenities have great sway with me when ranking programs. If you tolerate and encourage clutter and disorganization, (slob) then it might not matter as much.

 

[error404]

I keep my house immaculate, so nice ammenities have great sway with me when ranking programs. If you tolerate and encourage clutter and disorganization, (slob) then it might not matter as much.

I'm also an OCD neat-freak... (although my defense is that I'm not as bad as my husband.)

It turns out that I'm easily swayed by a cafeteria that serves great-tasting local organic food, electronic charting, and call rooms that are immaculate and never used (because there's no overnight call.) You had me at "organic."

 

[bubalus]

One thing you may want to consider, which may be a moot point now, is the start date of the programs. If your prelim year ends June 30, and your residency starts July 1, that may make moving a bit tough. I saw this happen for the residency/fellowship transition for several people. If your prelim year starts and finishes a few days early, then not so big of a deal.