Is it Ever Too Late to Switch?
Other than 'Have you seen a spot in _____?' this is easily our most frequently asked question. Many, many times we've been asked if we think it's too late for a resident to switch specialties- Our answer is always the same- it really is never too late if your desire is that great.
If, after doing 3 years of general surgery, the thought of spending the rest of your life in the OR makes you dry-heave, then your desire to get out is probably pretty great. In this case, your future happiness is dependent on you getting the hell out of there and finding another specialty that makes you happier.
On the other hand, if you're two years into an internal medicine residency and are still pining over the romanticism of rushing to a trauma or scrubbing into a cardiothoracic case, you've got a lot to think about. In this case, you don't have to practice geriatrics or general medicine, get your ego-fix in one of the more acute care medicine specialties like critical care or cardiology.
Once again, it depends on you! You may not be able to live another day knowing that an ER residency escaped your reach, so if that's you, go for it! For the last time, it's NEVER TOO LATE as long as you're willing to go back to square one.
Once you’ve made the decision to jump ship, there are some things you have to do:
1. Look into your own institution. You can avoid the unpleasant experience of entering the match (ugh), going on multiple interviews, and feeling the pain of having to field the same questions of why you wanna leave over and over again. The downside: If you do get accepted into another specialty, you’ll be seeing all the same people you ditched all the time- and that can be uncomfortable. But you know what? If you’re happier and they’re still miserable, then who’s bumming?
2. Find out if there's any reciprocity between the 2 specialties you're moving between. In other words, maybe those 2 years of surgery count for one of anesthesia or radiology. Most likely not. At the very least you can avoid a preliminary year if you're applying to a program that requires one.
3. Communicate with your program director. When you actually go on interviews, the program directors from other places will expect to see letters regarding your performance over the past however many years. DO NOT DO THIS SECRETLY! You will be in serious trouble if you pursue another specialty and residency without the knowledge of your current faculty- and you will look like a fool when they ask you for letters from attendings at your unhappy place. Lastly, a good leeter from your director that you're a hard-working, motivated resident who just happened to choose the wrong specialty may go along way.
4. Go for the gusto or don’t go at all! It's common for ambivalent housestaff who are toying with the idea of switching fields to only apply to a few select places, or to second guess themselves and become complacent knowing that at least they have a spot somewhere. Don’t do this! Registering for the match again and going on the interview trail with people that are 1, 2, or 3 years your junior can inspire doubt in even the most resolved resident. Just remember the reasons you did this in the first place and finish what you started.
Regardless of what happens, as we try so hard to show you on SPM, medicine has very few boundaries. You can accomplish almost anything you want from almost any field , and at the end of the day, you're still part of the greatest profession in the world. Good luck!
Resources
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- Writing Personal Statement A to Z
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- Too Late to Switch?
- Didn't Match
- Keys to Getting the Fellowship You Want
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- Beating the Crowd
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