Thinking about transfer from IM--> Gas. How is this done?

[Notanerd]

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Thanks in the future to everyone that responds here. I matched at a great IM program thinking I wanted to do cards. After I matched I had a few more cards rotations and ended up hating it. I was always pretty interested in anesthesia but never went for it bc I was so tunneled in on cards, i loved the acute situations in it. I am three weeks into my intern year and just hate internal medicine. I see what my senior residents are doing and I just can't imagine doing what they are in the upcoming years and enjoying it. A few questions here does anyone know how to transfer into a new field...like when is a good time to talk to my PD? I don't want him just thinking I have the intern blues. I would lobe to stay at the university I am at but they have a categorical program and could not imagine doing my whole intern year over again. Also not a direct question but any thoughts on the future of anesthesia as well would help. I know a lot is changing and the CRNA's are gunning for more privileges every day what are peoples thoughts on the future of jobs for in anesthesia.

thanks

 

[EtherBunny]

I switched into anesthesiology from a surgical subspecialty. My best advice to you is to be very cautious and patient. The "grass is greener" mentality is usually wrong to some degree. If I were in your shoes, I would postpone the decision to leave until you've not only completed internship but also at least 6 months of your 2nd year. The bottom line is that internship blows. Everyone hates it. The vast majority of people are unhappy as interns (the people that enjoy internship are in a cush transitional year in a kickass city OR they're not playing with a full deck of cards). Deciding to abandon ship as an intern is premature. Settle into your specialty a bit more before you switch out. You may find that you enjoy other aspects of internal medicine (GI, rheum, etc.).

Before you switch I would strongly advise you to spend some time with anesthesiologists in private practice. You already know what it's like in academia; you need to see the private practice side of the equation.

In terms of the future of anesthesia, nobody knows what's going to happen. The pressure to reduce medical cost is intensifying and anesthesiology, like many other specialties, is on the chopping block. There are tons of threads on this issue. Do a search. PM me if you want my personal opinion.

 

[Dejavu]

Take it from a guy who's been a nurse, a CRNA, a med student, an intern, a resident, and now an attending, nothing is as sweet as what I do now.

Dude, get out as fast as you can and into gas.

Never mind the naysayers. Look at the thread a couple below this from the guy who loves his job.

I'm with you. IM was the worst. I don't know how you go about it, but I bet, if you have an anesth residency where you are, that it would involve a conversation with the PD.

Good luck. Do it.