Switching Residencies

[VetMed24]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am in a veterinary residency that I enjoy, however it is a little far away from home and it is placing a great deal of stress on my wife and myself. I absolutely love the work, however it is difficult to stomach four more years of being separated from family and friends, and I suspect at some point my work will begin to suffer. We have also had some issues within our close family that require our attention and in all it would be better for everyone involved if I could land a position closer to home so that we were within a few hours drive of home. My plan would be to finish out the year and relocate. Is this something that people can do or has anyone ever heard of someone doing it?

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I've heard of people doing it, but usually only in their last year of residency.

A 4+ year residency? What specialty is this in? Most residencies are three years, unless you are in one with a combined graduate degree?

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Also long have you been in it? Homesickness is not uncommon. I moved 1200 miles away from the state I had lived in my whole life, all my family, all my friends, my significant other at the time (who then broke up with me after I moved - oof) plus all the stress of residency itself...it's hard man, no lie. Are you sure you have given it enough time to settle in?

 

[VetMed24]

Microbiology, combined PhD

 

[VetMed24]

In first year. Home sickness is a component, no doubt, however this also involves my wife and multiple family problems going on back home. Obviously we are both busy enough that we cant just pick up and go home anytime.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Microbiology, combined PhD

In first year. Home sickness is a component, no doubt, however this also involves my wife and multiple family problems going on back home. Obviously we are both busy enough that we cant just pick up and go home anytime.

Ah, I gotcha. Do you have the option to do the PhD portion elsewhere? I was in a combined path/PhD residency, but ultimately chose to move back home for the PhD part because as much as I loved my program, I was having physical issues with the weather there plus I also had family health issues. I was lucky in that my program was very understanding and told me to do what I needed to do to be happy, and I still have a wonderful relationship with all of them.

Switching in the beginning/middle might be hard, especially since micro residencies aren't super common. Most of the positions I see that would apply to your situation are usually for at least third year senior residents and are basically assistant lecturer positions.

 

[jmo1012]

I've heard of people doing it, but usually only in their last year of residency.

A 4+ year residency? What specialty is this in? Most residencies are three years, unless you are in one with a combined graduate degree?

most radiology residencies are now 4 years, and a few surgical residencies (including the one at my institution) are as well. ugh.

 

[KCgophervet]

most radiology residencies are now 4 years, and a few surgical residencies (including the one at my institution) are as well. ugh.

ew

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

most radiology residencies are now 4 years, and a few surgical residencies (including the one at my institution) are as well. ugh.

Oh wow.

Although to be fair, looking back, I would have killed to spend another year in residency rather than this PhD stuff. It was crazy hard at the time, but looking back they were some of the coolest 3 years of my life.

 

[JaynaAli]

Yeah both the oncology and radiology residencies at my institution (and maybe surgery?) are 4 year programs too, but it's due to masters requirements for them. They spend their first year working on their masters project and being an anatomy TA then start clinic duty after a year and continue to be on clinics for the remaining three.

Regarding the initial question, I've known two 3rd year residents who were able to switch programs. The only 'younger' resident I know about finished first year at program A, wanted to switch, and while he did get a spot at program B, he had to repeat his first year again. They didn't honor his time spent at the other institution.

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[twelvetigers]

ew

Agreed, double ew. That's a full nine years of DVM+intern+residency. Too much, man. Too much.

 

[jmo1012]

Agreed, double ew. That's a full nine years of DVM+intern+residency. Too much, man. Too much.

If you're lucky...so many people are doing at least an additional year of internship if not more than that due to the competitive nature of most of the specialty programs. I know a girl who did 4 years of internships before finally getting a residency spot for the upcoming year. i cannot even imagine.

 

[twelvetigers]

If you're lucky...so many people are doing at least an additional year of internship if not more than that due to the competitive nature of most of the specialty programs. I know a girl who did 4 years of internships before finally getting a residency spot for the upcoming year. i cannot even imagine.

Pukeville.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Agreed, double ew. That's a full nine years of DVM+intern+residency. Too much, man. Too much.

In year seven of eight and I fully endorse these ews.

I want my big girl job.