Where you do residency = where you work?

[XRanger]

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I heard that you're most likely to land a job that is closer to where you do your residency, is that true?

Because let's say you want to live in a certain geographical location but you have your heart set on a competitive speciality so you apply broadly all over the country, and end up doing residency in an area that you don't really like. Can you go back to your preferred location after residency and find work there? or would that be more difficult?

 

[Law2Doc]

I heard that you're most likely to land a job that is closer to where you do your residency, is that true?

Because let's say you want to live in a certain geographical location but you have your heart set on a competitive speciality so you apply broadly all over the country, and end up doing residency in an area that you don't really like. Can you go back to your preferred location after residency and find work there? or would that be more difficult?

Yes, you can still go to another location. Statistically people who pick a certain geography for residency may have had a reason, and as a result may still have a reason 3-5 years later. So you will see many people staying put. But that doesn't mean there's any real necessity.

 

[Winged Scapula]

There are no restrictions on where you can work after residency.

Many people stay in the same area because they've purchased a house, put down roots, have connections and frankly, its easier and somewhat comforting to do so.

But a lot of people move on.

 

[random1]

It's like any other job. You may have a slight leg up in the geographical area near your residency simply because your potential employers are more likely to have connections with your residency program and have a higher regard for it. That said, I don't think the advantage is overwhelming. Plus, if you're in a competitive specialty anyway, any geographical disadvantage by moving away is dwarfed by the smaller pool of hires. So I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Once you graduate from residency you can pretty much get a job anywhere as long as there isn't a surplus in a particular area. I did med school in PA, did residency in TX and took a job in Montana. I basically had my pick of positions all over the country and I'm FP without OB and I named my price, what type of perks I wanted, etc. Loan repayment, good benefits, great call schedule, get the vacation I want, no non-compete clause, no overhead, can quit whenever I want, etc. Don't worry about not being able to practice, you can go anywhere in the country and will be fine. Of, course if you are in some super lucrative field like pediatric cardiovascular surgery or surgical oncology, etc you probably will be in a major metropolitan center that is specific for that field and will lessen your options since the patient population is scattered.