Neuro PGY 1 Transfer to Psych?

[3BumbleBee]

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Heyo SDN fam
I'm currently a PGY-1 in Neuro, but I’ve been seriously rethinking my path. I really considered applying to Psych after a great rural psych rotation I had early in M4, but felt it was too close to app season to make the switch. At the time, I'd been full into Neurology most of med school, and so I agreed w/ my friends/family/mentors thoughts that the feeling would probably pass.

Now post-match, I'm really regretting it and just finding my interest and alignment toward Psych hasn't really left. I already created an ERAS 2026 account, but I’m not sure what steps are open to me now to explore if transferring/reapplying is still even feasible. Just trying to figure out if transfer to PGY2 spots are even a thing for Neuro Interns, how to find them, or if'd be better to just apply for PGY1 spots in ERAS?

Any advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance

 

[Stagg737]

You have a few options here:

1. Transfer directly into a psych program as a PGY-2. This typically involves finding a psychiatry program with an opening (not uncommon in programs that lose PGY-4's to CAP fellowships) and getting the blessing of your PD. We had a resident 2 years under me transfer from FM into psych at our program when the class above me had 3 people leave for CAP fellowships. You would need to make sure you'll will have enough of the required rotations in neuro (shouldn't be a problem) but it's certainly possible.
2. Try and match into a psych program as an intern. This is probably the most straightforward process as you're just re-entering the match process again, but it does mean an extra year of training.
3. Try and match into a PGY-2 psych spot. I'm not completely sure about this process as our program has not participated in the match with PGY-2s (we just increase PGY-1 slots from what I understand) but I believe these should be shown in ERAS and is a similar process as the typical match.

Hopefully others will have better information than I do, but I will try and ask our APD next week when we are on service together.

 

[FlowRate]

Just adding slightly to the above for completeness:
If there's a psych program at your institution or an affiliated institution, talking with your PD and their PD can help (with a direct transfer.)
It is possible to apply psych after finishing neuro (and the other way around.) Not that many people would specifically recommend that.
And of course there's always behavioral neurology fellowship.

 

[clozareal]

The APA used to have a listing of open residency slots but now it's part of their useless JobCentral directory that just lists a million of the same jobs for the major telehealth companies.

Your best bet is talking to your PD and finishing up your PGY-1 year since it's half medicine/neuro anyways and then going into psych as a PGY-2. There's a few programs that keep open slots PGY-2 apparently. Join the Psychiatry Network facebook group and post to ask. There's lots of (associate) program directors there that can likely give you options.

 

[Sushirolls]

Odds are high, 10 years into practice as Neurologist or Psychiatrist you will be equally disgruntled and wondering when retirement or career change is possible.

Both will equally allow you to set up a practice or find employment in small rural places; i.e. same size catchment to fill a practice; i.e. flexibility of where you can live.

Coming from the pessimist angle, is it really that much of a love and interest to change? Truly? Really?

Some times when opportunity doors are partially shut, and light still creaks out... peaking your curiosity... the solution isn't to open that door ajar again, but instead heave your shoulder into it, make sure shut tight, and now time to lock it closed.

Must you really do Psychiatry?

 

[Merovinge]

Just seconding the option to do behavioral neurology if a direct residency transfer doesn't work out. Behavioral neuro or neuro psych from the other side always have the most fascinating cases and conferences.