Surgery to Anesthesia switch

[Corduroy345]

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I know this topic has been discussed numerous times, and I've gotten lots of helpful advice from previous posts. I was hoping to get some specific advice for my situation. Here's the deal, very briefly:

I just started my second year as a categorical general surgery resident in NY. In February I spoke with my PD and also with my mentor about being unhappy in general surgery and possibly wanting to switch (at that point I wasn't sure what I wanted to switch to but mentioned anesthesia as a possibility.) They both encouraged me to stick it out in surgery. My PD said that if I was really unhappy later on then he would "personally find me a spot in anesthesia." Well now it's my second year and I'm more sure than ever that I want to do anesthesia. I figured I'd apply both through and outside the match. My problems are:

1. When to tell my PD and mentor? I need letters, and I figure I'd better start sending out apps ASAP to increase my chances of getting something. I just don't want to make people upset with me too early in the year.

2. Who should I get letters from? I can get good letters from surgical attendings, but do I need letters from anesthesiology attendings as well? I don't really know any too well, as there are so many at my hospital and I haven't worked too much with any one in particular.

3. Will it make me much more attractive to programs if I've taken Step 3? Do programs just care that I pass, or will a really good score make me much more competitive?

4. I'm looking to move from NY to Cali (LA in particular) for personal reasons. Is there any predictable "interview season" for programs outside the match, or is it entirely random? I'm thinking interviewing is going to be a huge logistical problem.

Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give me!

 

[UTSouthwestern]

I know this topic has been discussed numerous times, and I've gotten lots of helpful advice from previous posts. I was hoping to get some specific advice for my situation. Here's the deal, very briefly:

I just started my second year as a categorical general surgery resident in NY. In February I spoke with my PD and also with my mentor about being unhappy in general surgery and possibly wanting to switch (at that point I wasn't sure what I wanted to switch to but mentioned anesthesia as a possibility.) They both encouraged me to stick it out in surgery. My PD said that if I was really unhappy later on then he would "personally find me a spot in anesthesia." Well now it's my second year and I'm more sure than ever that I want to do anesthesia. I figured I'd apply both through and outside the match. My problems are:

1. When to tell my PD and mentor? I need letters, and I figure I'd better start sending out apps ASAP to increase my chances of getting something. I just don't want to make people upset with me too early in the year.

2. Who should I get letters from? I can get good letters from surgical attendings, but do I need letters from anesthesiology attendings as well? I don't really know any too well, as there are so many at my hospital and I haven't worked too much with any one in particular.

3. Will it make me much more attractive to programs if I've taken Step 3? Do programs just care that I pass, or will a really good score make me much more competitive?

4. I'm looking to move from NY to Cali (LA in particular) for personal reasons. Is there any predictable "interview season" for programs outside the match, or is it entirely random? I'm thinking interviewing is going to be a huge logistical problem.

Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give me!

You need to start applying for out of match spots right now. Most programs start accepting OOM apps in the spring. You will need letters so hopefully the people that told you that they would help you will step up to the plate.

When to tell your PD is up to you. You need to have a feel for how your mentor and PD will react. If they are going to be your primary letter writers, your time frame has already been made.

Step 3 doesn't really matter, unless you blew 1 and 2.

Interviewing will be a logistical problem so hopefully, you can get OOM interviews and can take single days off to interview there and fly back. It will be hectic so you have to do it.

In match interviews should be easier to schedule.