(Re)Introduction

Hey all, I just wanted to "reintroduce" myself. My user name used to be MrsBrainSurgeon but since my husband is no longer going to be a brain surgeon I figured I should change my moniker! I stopped posting about 8 months or so ago, right when he made the decision to change specialities. It was a really big decision and we both felt a bit ostracized from our residency peeps for making it. I couldn't seem to find much about folks who switched on this site (that may have been user error on my part) so I took a step back. But things have turned out just fine as he found a PGY-2 spot in his desired specialty at an awesome program, woo-hoo! It is turning out to be the best decision we ever made. The only drawback is that we have to move again and I have to take my 3rd bar exam in 2yrs, ugh! I definitely think I will be needing advice and commiseration in the upcoming months so I thought I would dive back into iMSN. It's good to be back, thanks!

[SuzySunshine]

I don't think we have many, if any, people that have changed specialties. I'm sure that is hard and I know the one person that changed out of NSG at DH's program was kind of exiled but that was more of the way he handled it then what he was doing.

Good luck with your new specialty and location, when you're ready to share we may have someone there or near there.

Thank you SS! NSG is such a small world, I definitely think that had something to do with it. Although my DH handled it professionally and with the utmost respect and consideration for the department and we both have some good connections there still. No bridges were burned but it was HARD. I would like to say that if anyone ever has ANY questions about switching to please feel free to PM me. It's a tough decision and there is very little information about it out there.

[moonlight]

We had another member on here that just made the switch as well. It's so stressful and I'm glad to hear all is better in his new program!! It takes a lot of courage to step back and say you need to start again from a new place. Good for him!!

Good luck on your bar exam (again)!

[ides]

I was wondering about you. Glad to have you back! There have been a few who have changed specialties on this board but not many. It's good to hear you are in a good place.

[MarissaNicole]

Welcome back! For some reason I thought your DH was an intern this year? Did he decide to make the switch before he even began residency?

What happened to Mrs. MD Esq., her spouse was able to make the switch this year as well, and will be taking ANOTHER bar exam as well! I haven't seen her around lately.

ETA: What specialty is he going into: Rads or Anes?

My DH was an intern last year, he started the same year your DH did. He finished out his intern year and then began the process of switching. Because he had finished his intern year we were able to get a spot outside of the match. Although we were also signed up for ERAS and had another specialty as a back up if we had to go through the match again. I think you are talking about Mrs. MD, Esq.? I just searched for "switching" and her thread came up. I must have gone into "hiding" prior to her posting about it! Her DH sounded a bit like mine, he ultimately just did not like surgery as much as he thought he did.

[MarissaNicole]

Yes, that's who I was talking about.

So he'll start PGY-2 in July? What specialty is he switching into? Did he take this year off? I can't imagine doing the work for PGY2 only to know that's not what you wanted to do and that you'd be switching at the end of the year!

Glad he figured it out early and that he found a great spot... sorry you have to take another bar exam!

He starts as a PGY-2 in July and he isn't working this year, in some ways he needed the down time to really figure out what he wanted to do, intern year didn't provide for much time for introspection. We stayed in New Mexico as a home base because I got a job right when his intern year ended. It really is working out well, besides the whole bar exam thing. How I loath the bar exam.... I am planning to try and find work as a paralegal/administrative assistant once we get where we are headed. Fingers crossed on that one.

[GrayMatterWife]

I'm sure that is hard and I know the one person that changed out of NSG at DH's program was kind of exiled but that was more of the way he handled it then what he was doing.

NSG is a very hard speciality to switch out of and remain "close" to your fellow residents. Neurosurgeons may intellectually understand that someone could change his mind about going into NSG, but emotionally, they do not really understand. They cannot imagine being happy doing anything else--at least, not nearly as happy--and they see themselves as very hardcore. They don't understand people who have a chance to be hardcore with them, but who decide they don't want to. Honestly, I suspect there is no way that someone voluntarily leaving NSG to feel like the other neurosurgeons are "cool" with it. They may say that they understand, but they don't really and they don't know what to do with you.

I would not give it another thought!! Who cares what they think, anyway? Your hubbie is now doing something he likes better! Yay! (And he will probably be done faster and make more money and have better hours!) It could have been a heck of a lot worse--NSG residents who get canned (fired) really suffer being ostracized. Nobody MEANS it (unless you were fired for being dishonest), but neurosurgeons are a pretty superstitious bunch. If someone has a black cloud, they often don't want it to "rub off" on them. Seriously...so weird. This is true even if they don't admit it!

Welcome back!!!

[Bittersweet]

Welcome back! Sorry about the 3rd bar exam (two were more than enough for me ) I'm glad your DH made a successful switch.

NSG is a very hard speciality to switch out of and remain "close" to your fellow residents. Neurosurgeons may intellectually understand that someone could change his mind about going into NSG, but emotionally, they do not really understand. They cannot imagine being happy doing anything else--at least, not nearly as happy--and they see themselves as very hardcore. They don't understand people who have a chance to be hardcore with them, but who decide they don't want to. Honestly, I suspect there is no way that someone voluntarily leaving NSG to feel like the other neurosurgeons are "cool" with it. They may say that they understand, but they don't really and they don't know what to do with you.

I think this is really well said. It's not like anyone dislikes my DH, we still see some of the other residents socially, but they just don't get it. And I can understand why in a lot of ways, I respect their dedication to their field and their patients. A lot of the other surgical residents had similar reactions, not quite as extreme, but they were confused. But you are totally right GMW, who cares what they think? I mean would they rather he wasted everyone's time for 6 more years? DH's program has fired a few residents and that really sucks. I don't envy that position one bit.

Welcome back! Sorry about the 3rd bar exam (two were more than enough for me ) I'm glad your DH made a successful switch.

I keep joking with DH that I may just end up "accidentally" pregnant to avoid taking another one. (Not to say being pregnant precludes one from sitting for the bar exam, but I think it's a pretty damn good excuse!)

[Bittersweet]

Ha ha, sounds like a plan to me

[Deebs]

Welcome back! I'm happy for you that your DH figured this out during intern year. It sucks that you have to get re-settled, but at least he didn't have time "wasted."