Transferring Programs

[Star2285]

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Hi,

I know this residency year just started, but I am having some personal issues (my baby is staying with parents 2.5 hours away bc the nanny quit and my husband has a 2 hour 45 minute commute each way 2x daily) that didn't exist when I originally matched into this program ( I did my intern year where I am from and these issues did not exist there). I was wondering how to go about transferring to a program closer to where my husband's job and my baby are. It is unlikely that he can change jobs bc of the field he is in. I know it is early, but do I email program directors? Do I speak to mine first? How many months should I wait before it would be appropriate to bring this up? Thanks.

 

[Raryn]

Hi,

I know this residency year just started, but I am having some personal issues (my baby is staying with parents 2.5 hours away bc the nanny quit and my husband has a 2 hour 45 minute commute each way 2x daily) that didn't exist when I originally matched into this program ( I did my intern year where I am from and these issues did not exist there). I was wondering how to go about transferring to a program closer to where my husband's job and my baby are. It is unlikely that he can change jobs bc of the field he is in. I know it is early, but do I email program directors? Do I speak to mine first? How many months should I wait before it would be appropriate to bring this up? Thanks.

In general, the advice most here will give is to hold back and wait to see how the next few months go. The beginning of residency is a stressful time and it is difficult to transition in the best of times, so you definitely don't want to make any rash decisions at this time.

That said, I can think of few things worse than an almost six hour total commute daily. In fact, I can't think of anything worse, short of being criminally violated daily. I hope that he's taking a train, because if he's driving, even in the best of all circumstances, you're probably talking $40-$60 worth of gas alone daily. Not to mention the sheer stress of that drive every day. You obviously knew where he was working before you matched though, so you're unlikely to get any real sympathy for that. I would highly encourage you to work with him to try to come to some kind of compromise. Either finding new work, or trying to do more telecommuting, or *something*.

I understand that you're having childcare difficulties, but if all of it is is the fact that your nanny quit, those are temporary until you can find a new one/a reputable day care/whatever. If your parents are taking care of your child, maybe it would also be reasonable for one of them to stay with you for a short period of time, though we obviously don't know if they work or if there's any family dynamics to go off of there.

If, in a few months, you're convinced you aren't happy and you can't imagine spending the remaining 3-4 years at your program, you're probably best off speaking to your own program director. The caveat being that you should only do this if you're otherwise doing well and you have a good enough relationship with your PD that he won't be out to screw you. A good time to do this would probably be september, giving you enough time to fill out ERAS, and giving him enough time to start the search for a replacement. Waiting a few months also gives you the time to settle in and figure out the remainder of the stuff going on.

Edit: Just fixed a typo.

 

[Star2285]

Thank you. I will wait until Sept. I really hope this works out somehow....

 

[gutonc]

Well, if we're to believe your blog posts, things are actually pretty OK for you ATM so...not sure what the issue is.

 

[Star2285]

I didn't comment on my home situation in the blog. Thanks though .