Ninz027 Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Hi there, Trying to get a feel for what it is like switching specialties- not so much finding a job rather what it felt like to start over in a completely new field and feeling like you know nothing. I currently work in general surgery. I have a great gig with two awesome SPs, no call. My gripe is that while I am really good at breast cancer and gallbladders, I don't manage patients on the floor and don't see consults in the ER so it's not super high acuity work making decisions. I am very reliant on my surgeons and would say I am not very independent (which is good because I have the support, but bad because I've lost that muscle). I've been doing this for six years- first job out of school. The time is coming where my husband and I are planning to move and I DOUBT I'd ever find a job like mine. I love surgery and don't want to leave it, but I know there's a possibility I may have to switch specialties. I just hope I can stay in surgery in some capacity. I am nervous about transitioning to a different environment. I feel like I've forgotten everything from school besides what I use on a daily basis. Ugh. The anxiety. Any thoughts/experiences appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted August 3, 2021 Administrator Share Posted August 3, 2021 I've never switched specialties that drastically, but I have branched out into things I knew a bit of. Getting into eating disorders treatment was the biggest shift, but there are a couple of good books, and I had a great team to work with. It's, ironically, the only time I've been a PA on a real, honest-to-goodness team--with psychiatry, counseling, dietitians, yoga teacher, art therapist, program facilitators... But I digress. Surgery is not so much a team sport. Re-studying everything is a non-starter, but you can review one thing at a time. I'm a big fan of picking up a part time job here and there, but not everyone is geared for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAdmission Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 6 hours ago, Ninz027 said: I feel like I've forgotten everything from school besides what I use on a daily basis. Ugh. The anxiety. Any thoughts/experiences appreciated! You learned it once. It's still in there somewhere and you can learn it again. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas5814 Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 I tried it once and just didn't like it. I have been in primary care for my whole career in some form or another and went into neurology. I felt like a dope and quit after a few weeks. I'm sure I would have gotten the hang of it with time but it was just such a culture shock. It just wasn't for me. I know plenty of people who have done it successfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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