Pigeon Holed in a Speciality

[NYCPAC]

Hi all! Has anyone been working in a very specialized field for some time and felt the need to get out but also found you aren't as "marketable" for new positions in another speciality because you "don't have the experience?" I'm a few years into my career and wonder if I'm pigeon holed into the specialty I've been working in the last few years because it's what I know best. It's not a specialty like IM/ER/FP where I see a little bit of everything and would be easily marketable in the future for other positions. I have two new opportunities for jobs in front of me- one in the field I've been working in and one in another, rather broad area of medicine such as IM/ER/FP. While I enjoy the speciality I've been working in I'm wondering if I'm setting myself up for being stuck in this forever. The pay isn't superb and the patient acuity is high, which isn't ideal if I actually want a life outside of work. I have the opportunity to make more money in this more broad specialty and possibly make myself more marketable in the future. Sincerely unsure what the best move is and would love to know from others with more experience if they've ever felt this way or what they've done in terms of career moves as a PA!

 

 

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[jcash]

I started in OB GYN and ended up leaving because I felt like I wanted a more broad spectrum. So I did retail medicine in like a take care walk in clinic. The money was better but it was kinda boring same cough, cold, uti or vaccine. It was narrow but still with a primary care feel. But too boring so I went to urgent care. Now it's too many kinds of problems to handle..... I have gotten a lot of good broad experience and I'm really glad I did it because now I am more marketable BUT I'm now going back to OB GYN where I started because I miss pt follow up and actually spending more than one minute with each pt. So in hindsight I'm glad I've had the more broad experience so at some point if I want to switch things up I probably can but I'm glad to go back to what I enjoy. Remember if you do switch and try something else for a year you can always go back or if you love the change keep going.

 

 

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[Maverick87]

You should be fine.

 

I know plenty of people that started off specialized and transitioned easily into other specialties.

 

With that said, I do think staying broad will help though. It makes it a bit easier to transition into something more specific, in my opinion.

 

In any event, you shouldn't have a problem.

[NYCPAC]

Thanks for your replies! I think I made the right move into the more broad position.

I figure, I already have some experience in the more narrow specialty and I can always go back should I choose to in the future!

 

 

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[Lauren R]

Go into general medicine if the field appeals to you. You're always going to be able to find a job and many people switch fields without too much difficulty. So don't just do it as a resume builder. I do love working as a hospitalist because I've gotten comfortable with many different areas as I work closely with the specialists. It definitely allows for an easy transition into other fields, but do what interests you.