I am a PGY1 in internal residence. I'm a non-US IMG on a J1. I always wanted to go for IM/peds combined programs but they were competitive. I'm considering doing another residency after I finish my first one as I realized how much I want to take care of both patient populations. The total years of training is less than 7 years. Unfortunately, ECFMG does not sponsor a J1 for some reason for a second residency. Yet, I heard some stories of non US IMGs doing a second residency. What are some ways of doing that? Does anyone know of a non-US IMG doing such thing? Appreciate the advice and help
Second residency as IMG
- Thread starter EliMD69
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You're correct that you cannot do a second residency on a J visa. There's a rule that you can only change your specialty once, and it must be before the end of your PGY-2. This rule doesn't apply to fellowships, since those are under the same "specialty".
The honest truth is that your best plan is to focus upon IM, and plan for a career there. The only specialty that lets you cross over to peds is Allergy, and it tends to be quite competitive and require solid research. If you wanted to do Med/Peds, then perhaps Fam Med would have been a better choice. regardless, you're in IM now, and that's probably what you should focus upon.
Theoretically you could complete your residency, get a J waiver job for 3 years, and then return to training. But by that point I expect you'll be settled in IM and won't be interested any more.
The honest truth is that your best plan is to focus upon IM, and plan for a career there. The only specialty that lets you cross over to peds is Allergy, and it tends to be quite competitive and require solid research. If you wanted to do Med/Peds, then perhaps Fam Med would have been a better choice. regardless, you're in IM now, and that's probably what you should focus upon.
Theoretically you could complete your residency, get a J waiver job for 3 years, and then return to training. But by that point I expect you'll be settled in IM and won't be interested any more.
