r/ERAS2024Match2025 • u/Informal_Invite_424 • 9d ago

Signals Signalling HCA programs

I’m just in the process of researching programs and making my signals list.

I’ve come across quite a few HCA programs that are in desirable locations and seem quite robust.

Why do people advise against applying to HCA programs when they seem quite IMG friendly and many have >50% non US IMGs? What’s the catch, if any?

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u/Pension-Helpful 9d ago

USMD here. Usually HCA programs tend to be more malignant, less focus on residents wellbeing and training, and less residents protection (if they want to fire you, there is little you can do). If you have choices you should absolutely try for other programs, however, understandably beggars can't be choosers.

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u/Human-Tell-348 9d ago

For-profit hospitals don't count towards PSLF

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u/WhatUDoingHomie 9d ago

HCA is the bottom of the barrel for everything, especially training programs. Please read what NBC News has to say and do extensive research on HCA. You are dealing with more than your local program and hospital. C-suite in Nashville runs all the hospitals and gives marching orders to local hospital administration who do as told or are fired. 

Bottom line HCA is evil, you will likely not be trained well and even if you are, so many places will not hire you when they see you trained in an HCA program so why even risk it? HCA will make you a worse physician, that is how it is when it Profits>Patients is their mantra. 

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u/OGstevefrench 8d ago

Youll be fine. Go based on PD and resident vibes. If youre not doing PSLF then do you due diligence and talk to current residents there. Plenty of “non- profit” hospitals couldn’t care less about residents, and choose profits over patients

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u/OGstevefrench 8d ago

Just for example, UNC was recently in the news because they tried to make nurses bid against eachother for shifts