Switching fields

[NeuroSleep]

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As a med student i had trouble deciding between another field and neurology and ended up pursuing the other field. I am currently a first year resident in that other field (i.e. a PGY-2 after having done a prelim medicine year at an academic institution), but I very much enjoyed my medicine year and have realized that neuro may be better suited for me. I had been planning to do neuroscience research even through the other field (sleep neuroscience in particular fascinates me), and throughout my prelim medicine year neuro cases were the most interesting to me. I also miss the case discussions and patient observation of my medicine year that my current field lacks.

I am in need of some guidance as to the best way of going about making the switch. I am hoping to not have to wait around for 2 more years through the match (since I have already done my internship). This would be a PGY2 to PGY2 switch.

To provide an idea of my stats, I feel I am somewhat competitive. US allo grad, strong research background, steps 1&2 in the 220s. I can probably obtain some strong letters of recommendation from my intern year program as well as from my research mentors who had written letters for my application in the match 2 years ago to the other field.

How would this process work, though, outside the match?

 

[snoopy brown]

I'm sure you could learn to love your current field, too. Maybe you should just give it more time. No matter what, I support and love you! Good luck! HUGS!

 

[NeuroSleep]

I'm sure you could learn to love your current field, too. Maybe you should just give it more time. No matter what, I support and love you! Good luck! HUGS!

Aww. . .snoopy thanks! 😍😍

 

[snoopy brown]

You're welcome!! MWAH!!! 😍

 

[Winged Scapula]

Seems snoop has decided to change his evil ways!🙄

There are several ways to go about finding a position outside of the match, none of them particularly easy. All will probably require a letter from your current PD stating that you are in good standing, an updated CV and perhaps a personal statement about your reasons for the change.

- word of mouth; tell everyone you know you want to change and see who might know about a position
- the neuro faculty at your current hospital might get flyers about open positions, although if there is not a neuro residency at your program, they may not
- you can cold call any programs you might be interested in, explain your situation to the PD and see if they have any positions open
- trade journals may list open positions in the classified section
- the national certifying association may have listings of open positions
- reentering the match; I know you don't want to do this but it may be the best option and you wouldn't necessarily have to repeat your intern year

As you can see, none of these are easy, but its better than staying in a field that isn't the right one for you.

 

[Blade28]

Who is this non-sarcastic, non-biting, non-incisive snoopy and what have you done with the real one? 😕

🙂

 

[Top Gun]

Who is this non-sarcastic, non-biting, non-incisive snoopy and what have you done with the real one? 😕

🙂

Yeah, seriously. The snoopy I know usually seems quite bitter. If he has truly changed, the question is, will it last?

 

[Miami_med]

Beware of wolves (or beagles) in sheeps clothing 😉

 

[NeuroSleep]

well, whatever it is, what snoopy said was exactly what i needed to hear at just the right moment, and i'm grateful for that.

and thanks to kimberli for the info. . . if i decide to go through with this at some point down the line, i'll keep it for future reference

yay for sdn!😍

 

[Inderal]

This also goes out to the person who posted under "transferring out of internship" thread:

The best way to switch a residency program is to email your CV to a bunch of programs and state somewhere in your cover letter "consider me if you have any unexpected openings." I did that & landed a dream position at an amazing hospital.

There are also several services that list vacancies. E.g findaresident or http://www.residentswap.org If you want to be nice to your program director, you might try residentswap & it may actually help you find a spot & a replacement at the same time. But in my experience, the emailing tool was more effective than the rest of the website, as i sent my CV through it and that's how I got my current spot.

My friend did the same thing, although "by hand" & also found a spot. So it definitely is doable.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Another option is to register for ERAS, apply to neuro programs, and state in your PS that you are interested in a PGY-2 position for 2009 via the match OR a PGY-2 position in 2008 outside the match.

I expect someone will offer you a 2008 position if you were to do this, and you're not too late!

 

[CambieMD]

I am sure that you can find a position outside of the match in neuro.
You should not have to go through the match again. Start contacting programs now. Make sure that you keep your mouth shut @ this point in the game. Your present program doesn't need to know your plans just yet.

All the best ,
Cambie

 

[bowser]

Beware of wolves (or beagles) in sheeps clothing 😉

Oh you!! You're such a kidder!! I love your joking ways! You're special, just like everyone! Good luck, Neurosleep! Don't let these guys get you down! 😍

 

[scrubdoc]

Thanks Inderal for the info & the link!

This also goes out to the person who posted under "transferring out of internship" thread:

The best way to switch a residency program is to email your CV to a bunch of programs and state somewhere in your cover letter "consider me if you have any unexpected openings." I did that & landed a dream position at an amazing hospital.

There are also several services that list vacancies. E.g findaresident or http://www.residentswap.org If you want to be nice to your program director, you might try residentswap & it may actually help you find a spot & a replacement at the same time. But in my experience, the emailing tool was more effective than the rest of the website, as i sent my CV through it and that's how I got my current spot.

My friend did the same thing, although "by hand" & also found a spot. So it definitely is doable.