Quitting Residency

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I started a residency in July and realized that this specialty is not for me. Do I have to finish the year or can I quit now and reapply to another residency??????

 

[Winged Scapula]

You do not have to finish the year but you will most likely need a letter from your current PD, so if you are dishonest or leave them in a lurch by quitting precipitously, they may not write you a very supportive letter.

 

[johankriek]

I started a residency in July and realized that this specialty is not for me. Do I have to finish the year or can I quit now and reapply to another residency??????

IF you are thinking about quitting medicine altogether.. which isnt a bad plan.. then leave now and dont look back.. however if you simply want to switch specialties.. just finish the year.. because you need a year of internship anyway for licensure in most instances.. and if you leave now? what are you gonna do with the rest of the year? flip burgers? which is prolly better than what you are doing i know.. what specialty are you in?

 

[Faebinder]

IF you are thinking about quitting medicine altogether.. which isnt a bad plan.. then leave now and dont look back.. however if you simply want to switch specialties.. just finish the year.. because you need a year of internship anyway for licensure in most instances.. and if you leave now? what are you gonna do with the rest of the year? flip burgers? which is prolly better than what you are doing i know.. what specialty are you in?

👍

 

[cali-ob]

I'm sorry about your situation...I feel for you as I am in the same position. I got to the point that I was feeling anxious just knowing i had to go to work the next day. It's good that you are realizing it now rather than years into a residency that you don't want to do. Obviously first you have to decide medicine or not?
Then if yes, what else would you want to do? Is there a field that you can switch to that you might possibly get credit for this year or even partial credit? That would make it worth while to finish the year while simultaneously applying again this year. Maybe you can find an open position in the field you want for this year? Depending on the field, there are various websites (some available only to PDs) that list vancancies.... just ask a PD in the field you want to go into. I know this is a frustrating thing to go through, especially after all the work (presumably) you did to get the residency in the first place (applying, interviewing, match, etc) but don't worry, you're not alone, and it will be ok.🙂

 

[Annette]

If you can, stick it out for the year. You can scope out options to transfer during the year. Even if you leave medicine all together, you will have more options if you finish your internship.

 

[iswitched]

I switched programs mid year.

I was hired (had a contract in hand) before I even told my previous program that I was leaving. I had LORs from staff/heads of departments whom I worked with as an intern.

Once you are contracted in the new/prospective program, there is no reason to stay an extra day in your current program.

For a treatise on the merits/pros/cons of self-abuse vs loyalty to the field of medicine, look elsewhere than my post here.

 

[drbon]

I started a residency in July and realized that this specialty is not for me. Do I have to finish the year or can I quit now and reapply to another residency??????

just wondering, what specialty are you in and why do you want to switch?