Too late to switch fields?

[sandbtwmytoes]

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Hi Everyone-
I'm currently an intern finishing my second month in what would be considered a primary care specialty. It's exactly what I've wanted to do since I was 10 y/o. Sadly, I am really unhappy with this specialty. I love the program that I'm at--the education is great & the attendings are amazing--but I still hate having to get up every morning & go back to the hospital. The job is personally unfullfilling. I would appreciate any feedback from people on this. Do other people feel the same way? Is it too late to switch specialties? I have the option for applying to another specialty & I can't decide if I should b/c what if I don't like that field either? Thanks for your input!

 

[erichaj]

What is your specialty?
Could it be that since you were 10 you had a tainted view of medicine? you know the glory the movies where they show doctors rushing in and saving the whole world, kinda like ER TV series. Now, you are having to actually live the REAL life of a doctor.

I'm not trying to be mean spirited. But, anyone who tells someone that since 10 years old they wanted to be a doctor and since at 10 you would have not really known anything about being a doctor regradless of who in your family is one or is not one, then that tells me that you had an unrealistic view of medicine.

You just started your internship and have to work very hard and maybe the hours are burning you out. But, medicine is a job just like any other job.

Ask, yourself what other specialty would I NOT have to go to the hospital everyday.

 

[sandbtwmytoes]

Ok - so I understand where you're comming from & I thank you for the response, but I think I need to clarify a bit. No, I never thought this job would be about saving the world - I'm not an ER intern (kidding). I choose medicine b/c I fell in love with human biology and yes--I thougt I would "help people". I've had various jobs in medicine for over the past 10 years, so I am very familiar with the hospital environment and this is not the only time in my life of working over 80 hours/wk (I've worked 2 full time jobs to get through school)- so it's not the hours.

I just feel like there is so little medicine to what I do & that it is all social work. I've strongly considered switching to surgery. I love the feeling of physically doing something to benefit the patient. For those of you in medicine specialities - what keeps you going from day to day? I don't want this to be "just a job", but something I take pride in and feel I actually do make a difference.

What is your specialty?
Could it be that since you were 10 you had a tainted view of medicine? you know the glory the movies where they show doctors rushing in and saving the whole world, kinda like ER TV series. Now, you are having to actually live the REAL life of a doctor.

I'm not trying to be mean spirited. But, anyone who tells someone that since 10 years old they wanted to be a doctor and since at 10 you would have not really known anything about being a doctor regradless of who in your family is one or is not one, then that tells me that you had an unrealistic view of medicine.

You just started your internship and have to work very hard and maybe the hours are burning you out. But, medicine is a job just like any other job.

Ask, yourself what other specialty would I NOT have to go to the hospital everyday.

 

[8744]

I, for one, know exactly what the OP is talking about. If you don't like what you're doing then switch, especially if you are young without the usual responsiblities which arise from having a family.

 

[erichaj]

Fair enough.

Your first year in medicine is lots of social work stuff. But, even as an attending you may have to do lots of social work kind of stuff. So, this may not be for you.

In surgery or some other specialty where you get to DO SOMETHING ON A PHYSICAL BASIS, you know fix something and see immediate results or get a sense of completion after a procedure you may feel better and this may be the route for you.

There is not rule that says you can't change you mind and pick another residency or specialty. Just make sure you pick on that you really like. Or like as much a one can like.

 

[Amy]

No, it's not too late to switch specialties. In fact, this is a great time to do it... better now than realize in a year or 2 that this may not be for you. There's still time to apply for the 2007 Match, if you want to go that route. Or, you may be able to get a PGY2 spot in a different specialty if your current year can count as PGY1 for that specialty. You seem to be reluctant to reveal what specialty you're in, but it would probably help us give you more specific advice if we have a better sense of what you're doing now.

The most important thing is to make sure you REALLY want to do this. Being an intern sucks no matter what field, so make sure it's not simply the intern blues bringing you down. Also, do you have good reason to believe that another specialty will make you happier/be more fulfilling/be a better fit for you? Can you see yourself really being happy in that specialty in 10 years? 40 years?

If you're sure you want to switch, talk to your PD ASAP. He can help you figure out your next step, help you find a spot in your chosen field, hopefully write you a nice LOR, etc.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Sugar72]

I know a woman who switched out of a neurosurgery residency at the beginning of her final year and started in anesthesia. Obviously I think it is a good switch! It is never too late. This is coming from a woman that started medical school on her 30th birthday - so take it with a grain of salt I suppose. This is really good timing , as the last poster pointed out. But don't switch just because you hate your intern year - almost everybody hates their intern year. Good luck

 

[manforallages]

I like this thread because it's something I'm considering myself. Briefly, I am an ER intern and although I like the job, I'm finding out that maybe I'm just not wired for it. I pictured myself making split second decisions, on the seat of my pants 24/7, and unfortunately, I pegged myself wrong. I hate admitting it, but I truly think psych, or family med, or something more chill is where I'm supposed to be. It's hard to say because ER residencies are hard to come by, but I'm starting to come to grips with myself.

Let me actually take this one step further, which makes me question my motivation for medicine in the first place. Has anybody (or should I say has anybody here known of somebody) actually left medicine in their intern year to pursue another field entirely. Truthfully, the only thing holding me back is how in the world do you start over at this point; which, might not be that big of a deal for someone who is younger, but I'm 33 and truthfully couldn't see myself doing this for the rest of my life. It's a crappy position to be in, but just looking for any advice.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Has anybody (or should I say has anybody here known of somebody) actually left medicine in their intern year to pursue another field entirely. Truthfully, the only thing holding me back is how in the world do you start over at this point; which, might not be that big of a deal for someone who is younger, but I'm 33 and truthfully couldn't see myself doing this for the rest of my life. It's a crappy position to be in, but just looking for any advice.

It has been done - I personally know of two who have: 1 neurosurgery resident who left after a couple of years and went back to teaching (what she had done prior to medical school) and another who finished general surgery residency, then got an MBA and entered the business world, never to practice medicine.

 

[lattimer13]

I know a woman who switched out of a neurosurgery residency at the beginning of her final year and started in anesthesia. Obviously I think it is a good switch! It is never too late. This is coming from a woman that started medical school on her 30th birthday - so take it with a grain of salt I suppose. This is really good timing , as the last poster pointed out. But don't switch just because you hate your intern year - almost everybody hates their intern year. Good luck

i think i know who you are talking about. i met her while doing a fourth year surgical rotation while down in the OR. if it's the same person, she's really nice. seems like she's really happy with her decision even switching over after being so close to finishing NSG.

 

[LHCF]

I like this thread because it's something I'm considering myself. Briefly, I am an ER intern and although I like the job, I'm finding out that maybe I'm just not wired for it. I pictured myself making split second decisions, on the seat of my pants 24/7, and unfortunately, I pegged myself wrong. I hate admitting it, but I truly think psych, or family med, or something more chill is where I'm supposed to be. It's hard to say because ER residencies are hard to come by, but I'm starting to come to grips with myself.

I just wanted to add that I really admire ER physicians. They work in a high stress environment and they have to know basically everything. I think they should be among the highest paid doctors. Everyone thinks they're lifestyle is so great, but when they are at work, they WORK.

 

[factoid]

I just wanted to add that I really admire ER physicians. They work in a high stress environment and they have to know basically everything. I think they should be among the highest paid doctors. Everyone thinks they're lifestyle is so great, but when they are at work, they WORK.

and they make the radiologist work even harder 😉

 

[VentdependenT]

If you are a medicine dude then specialize if you want a more procedural life:

Critical care
Pulm
GI
Interventional Cards

Those folks are always sticking something in somebody.

Yes, first year BLOWS and you are indeed a glorified secretary.

It is never too late to change however.

 

[sophiejane]

I think it is easy to assume that residency/internship = real life, but from what I hear on the "outside"...it's not necessarily like that. Most IM and FM programs that are "good" have clinics that serve the underserved. It's a win-win--the poor people get treated and the interns/residents get to learn from a sick population. It sounds like that might be your situation. These folks are obviously going to have more social issues than the broader cross-section of the population that you are likely to see in private practice.

I also think it's pretty hard to separate the patient and their medical issues from the social issues, but that's just me. You may not feel like you are doing anything for them, but I would bet that you are.

However, if you really want less continuity and less patient contact, then by all means, primary care/medicine specialties may not be for you.

Best of luck finding what you love.

 

[fj25]

Hi Everyone-
I'm currently an intern finishing my second month in what would be considered a primary care specialty. It's exactly what I've wanted to do since I was 10 y/o. Sadly, I am really unhappy with this specialty. I love the program that I'm at--the education is great & the attendings are amazing--but I still hate having to get up every morning & go back to the hospital. The job is personally unfullfilling. I would appreciate any feedback from people on this. Do other people feel the same way? Is it too late to switch specialties? I have the option for applying to another specialty & I can't decide if I should b/c what if I don't like that field either? Thanks for your input!

I know how you feel. I have the same exact issues. I'm in one track and want to leave, but what if the grass aint greener.

Just like the poster who mentioned being in E.r. and wanting psych. That is me!!!

I think that is how life is in general. Too many scenarios.

If you are doing medicine I like the idea of you going in something that has procedures: GI, cardio; if that is what you feel you may need.

 

[CambieMD]

To the original poster. You have to be very honest with yourself and figure out what you dislike about what you do. You may not be cut out for the specialty that you are presently in. I was a whiner and complainer in my previous specialty. That has changed now. You have spent too much time and money obtaining your education to be unhappy.

CambieMD

 

[sandbtwmytoes]

Thank you so much for all of the really great feedback, I truly appreciate it! I’m trying to be a little more accepting of the misery of intern year, but I am also looking into a few other programs that I feel would be a better fit for me (ie- procedure based). Thanks again!