Neuropsych postdoc.. is it worth it?

[neuronoxious]

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Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice on whether a neuropsych postdoc is actually worth doing. I matched to an APPCN neuro postdoc and I know I should be very excited about it, but I'm starting to feel a bit anxious and depressed about it tbh. Maybe it's just bc I'm in the throes of internship right now and feeling a bit burnt out and also bc the postdoc is not in the area I was wanting to end up at. I am just tired of being poor and the thought of having to spend 2 more years struggling to get by while also being far from home is wearing me down. I do still want to be a neuropsychologist and I know the postdoc is an important part of that. I guess I'm just hoping someone who has been through this can let me know how their experience was and if it was worth it in the end (i.e., financially and time-wise). Thanks in advance!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

If you still want to pursue neuropsychology, I would make the argument that postdoc is a necessary component. There are still folks who practice, or purport to practice, neuropsychology who've completed their training in the recent past but didn't pursue a postdoc; I would not support or vouch for that route.

For me personally, postdoc was one of the most enjoyable parts of my training, and this coming from someone who also enjoyed grad school and internship. I probably learned as much on fellowship as I had up to that point. I also met and remain in contact with a number of people I may not otherwise have known, which has resulted in multiple professional opportunities. And given that it's become the norm in the field and it would be difficult if not impossible to be board-eligible without a postdoc (whether or not you pursue board certification), I would say it's financially worthwhile as well.

 

[WisNeuro]

Yes, it is worth it, many hospital jobs require board eligibility/board certification for hiring. Additionally, being board certified helps a lot for IME work these days. You need the postdoc for board cert. As with @AcronymAllergy , my knowledge base expanded exponentially on postdoc, it's essential. I wouldn't send patients to any newly licensed people not certified or board eligible.

 

[summerbabe]

I do still want to be a neuropsychologist and I know the postdoc is an important part of that.

You've probably put in a lot of work/sacrifice already to be competitive in the APPCN match and it's not uncommon to question at this point where things are leading and whether additional training is warranted.

One thing to potentially consider is the neuro job market in your desired area. Will there be plenty of jobs once postdoc is done and you're free to move wherever? Or are there limiting job market factors? What about salaried vs non-salaried, hospital vs private practice, etc?

I'm a generalist so there are jobs aplenty in the VA for me. But I know other VA neuro trainees who wanted to stay in the VA after postdoc and ran into issues such as lack of positions at their desired facility or positions in areas they didn't want to relocate to.

In VA world, the financial difference between doing a 2 year postdoc versus 2 years in a staff role might be around $45k-$50k extra gross (likely more in higher CoL areas). Regardless, doubling of the internship stipend made a huge difference during that year.

 

[Sanman]

I think the bigger question here is do you want to practice as a neuropsychologist or a clinical psychologist? There is no getting around the post-doc if you want to work in neuropsych at a decent job. If you willing to work in other areas, a formal post-doc is not necessary. What is more important to you is a question we cannot answer.

 

[electricopal]

Related to neuropsych post docs……

how much does name recognition of the institution matter? As long as its a neuropsych accredited post doc, is that enough to be considered a good post-doc? Im struggling to figure out whether shooting for a “bigger” name is worth it.

 

[WisNeuro]

Related to neuropsych post docs……

how much does name recognition of the institution matter? As long as its a neuropsych accredited post doc, is that enough to be considered a good post-doc? Im struggling to figure out whether shooting for a “bigger” name is worth it.

I'd focus more on making sure that the postdoc has board certified faculty, and rotations that you you desire for your training. The generalist training is easy to come by, and will be part of almost all of the programs, but look at what specific training experiences you can get. Things like inpatient rehab (i.e, real brain injury, stroke) epilepsy, MS, movement disorders etc.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Related to neuropsych post docs……

how much does name recognition of the institution matter? As long as its a neuropsych accredited post doc, is that enough to be considered a good post-doc? Im struggling to figure out whether shooting for a “bigger” name is worth it.

I'd agree with what WisNeuro said. If by accredited, you mean APPCN-member and/or APA-accredited, if you've got that, it eases the boarding application credential review process quite a bit. There are of course very strong non-APPCN programs, but name might be important at that point (i.e., I would recommend a "mid-level" APPCN postdoc over a non-APPCN equivalent). You can also look at the faculty and possible affiliated institutions in terms of networking.

In my case, if the name of my fellowship has ever been an issue, I've never known about it.

 

[electricopal]

I'd focus more on making sure that the postdoc has board certified faculty, and rotations that you you desire for your training. The generalist training is easy to come by, and will be part of almost all of the programs, but look at what specific training experiences you can get. Things like inpatient rehab (i.e, real brain injury, stroke) epilepsy, MS, movement disorders etc.

Thank you. In regard to number of faculty that are board certified…. Would you say a program that only has one board certified person would be concerning?

 

[WisNeuro]

Thank you. In regard to number of faculty that are board certified…. Would you say a program that only has one board certified person would be concerning?

Depends on the size and career standing of the neuropsych service. If there are only a couple neuropsychs, it's fine. Also, if they are newer, they may be in the process. If there is a boarded faculty and a faculty currently going through the process, that could actually be a decent mentoring experience.

 

[electricopal]

When applying to clinical neuropsych fellowships, will it hurt you if your neuropsych letter writer is not board-certified?

 

[WisNeuro]

When applying to clinical neuropsych fellowships, will it hurt you if your neuropsych letter writer is not board-certified?

I wouldn't say that it would necessarily hurt your application, but unless they are well known, probably not helping much, either. If you are applying to places that personally know that letter writer, it can be good. Assuming that they liked said letter writer, anyway.