Career Development
Career development is a core part of nephrology training, and there is no single “right” path. This program is designed to support trainees as they explore, refine, and ultimately pursue careers that align with their interests, strengths, and long-term goals.
To provide structure and targeted mentorship, trainees may engage with one or more of the following career development streams: academic nephrology with a research focus, academic nephrology with a focus on education scholarship and teaching, and community nephrology. These streams are intended as guides rather than fixed tracks. Trainees are not required to choose a stream at the outset of training, and any selections made are flexible and may be revisited or changed at any time as interests evolve.
The overarching goal of this career development framework is to support informed decision-making, skill development, and mentorship that position trainees for success in the job market. Whether pursuing an academic or community-based career, the program is committed to helping each trainee develop the experiences, competencies, and professional networks needed to obtain a position that best reflects their personal and professional priorities.
Career development is a central priority of the Nephrology Training Program. Trainees are supported in exploring career options that align with their interests, strengths, and long-term goals.
To facilitate mentorship and skill development, trainees may engage with one or more career development streams: academic nephrology (research), academic nephrology (education scholarship and teaching), and community nephrology. These streams are intended to provide guidance rather than fixed pathways. Trainees are not required to select a stream early in training, and career direction may be reassessed and changed at any time.
The primary goal of this framework is to ensure trainees are well prepared to pursue and obtain positions that best reflect their professional aspirations and personal priorities.
Academic (research)
Preamble
The Academic (Research or Quality Improvement) Stream is designed for nephrology trainees with an interest in developing skills in clinical research, health services research, or quality improvement. This stream provides a flexible framework to support scholarly development while maintaining strong clinical training.
Participation in this stream allows for customization of the second year of training to align with individual career goals. Depending on trainee interests and program feasibility, this may include enrollment in a relevant master’s program, dedicated protected time to conduct a research or quality improvement project, and structured mentorship to support scholarly productivity. Expected outcomes may include presentation of work at regional, national, or international conferences and/or preparation of manuscripts for publication.
The overarching goal of the Academic Stream is to equip trainees with the skills, experience, and academic output needed to pursue careers in academic nephrology, while ensuring that training remains individualized, feasible, and aligned with long-term career objectives.
Career Mentorship
To support trainees in this pathway, a mentorship committee may be established, composed of faculty with relevant expertise in research, quality improvement, or methodology, as appropriate. This committee provides guidance on project development, academic progression, and career planning.
If a master’s training program is desired, then trainees will be encouraged to apply for the program in their PGY4 year to be able to start the program in their PGY5 year.
Sample PGY5 Electives
• Research Block (objectives)
Academic (Education)
Preamble
The Academic (Education Scholarship and Teaching) Stream is designed for nephrology trainees who wish to develop skills in medical education, education scholarship, and teaching, while maintaining strong clinical training.
This stream allows for customization of the second year of training to align with individual career goals. Opportunities may include enrollment in a relevant master’s program in education, dedicated protected time to develop and complete an education-focused scholarly project, and structured support to facilitate dissemination of work through conference presentations and manuscript publication. Trainees may also choose to be more involved in undergraduate and/or postgraduate medical education, including teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership activities.
The overarching goal of the Academic Stream is to provide trainees with the skills, mentorship, and scholarly experience needed to pursue academic careers in nephrology with a focus on education, in a manner that is flexible, individualized, and aligned with long-term professional goals.
Career Mentorship
To support trainees in this pathway, a mentorship committee may be established, composed of faculty with relevant expertise in medical education and education scholarship. This committee provides guidance on project development, scholarly output, and career planning.
Sample PGY5 Electives
• Research Block (objectives)
Community Nephrology
Preamble
The Community Nephrology Stream is designed for nephrology trainees who plan to pursue careers in community-based practice, while maintaining a strong foundation in comprehensive nephrology care.
This stream allows for customization of the second year of training to align with individual career goals. Trainees may complete electives at community or regional sites where there is potential for future employment, enabling exposure to local practice models and practice environments. Selective experiences may also be chosen to develop additional expertise in desired subspecialty areas of nephrology, including opportunities for focused clinical or research skill development.
Career planning within this stream is aligned with subspecialty training during the PGY6 year to support readiness for independent practice. Trainees may also be encouraged to undertake a junior consultant elective, during which they will function at a consultant level under direct supervision, including leading inpatient ward care, to support the transition to independent practice.
The overarching goal of the Community Nephrology Stream is to provide trainees with tailored clinical experiences, mentorship, and practice-ready skills that position them to obtain community nephrology roles that best align with their professional goals and practice preferences.
Career Mentorship
Mentorship and career guidance within the Community Nephrology Stream occur primarily through annual career development meetings, with a focus on networking trainees with colleagues at sites that may have potential for future employment.
Sample PGY5 Electives
• Junior Consultant
• Electives (at community sites)
• Transplant
• Home Dialysis
• Glomerulonephritis
