Switching to EM

[BillyWitchDoctr]

So here's the deal...I am one of those people who figured out what they want to be late in med school. For me, I fell in love with EM during my rotation in March of 4th year. By this time I had already matched into IM. I would love to switch to emergency medicine after my intern year but I'm not sure the best way to do this. The hospital that I work in does not have an EM residency either so I'm not sure how I would get LORs. Does anyone here have any advice or experience with switching residencies? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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[GeneralVeers]

The "easiest" way would be to match into a 2-4 program this Spring. The 2-4 programs require 1 year of transitional or IM.

The harder way would be to transfer into a 1-4 or a 1-3 program. You would get credit for 6 months of training maximum, assuming you completed a whole year of IM.

I'd recommending looking for a place that has an open PGY-1 spot and see if they will take you at the end of the year.

 

[USCDiver]

I recommend telling your current PD as soon as you're sure you want to make a switch. You will never get a spot in a different residency without getting approval from your current PD and being in good standing with your current program.