So, my classmates are starting to sign contracts. It seems pretty common for conversations with my co-workers to quickly turn to the topic of: What’s Next? It is pretty common for me in that situation to start to slide towards thinking about doing the same thing. I get 10 or so emails a day from recruiters. I get text messages and voice mail daily. That is the experience of all Family Medicine senior residents. I know that those headhunters would take home a nice check if they get one of us to sign a contract, and I just don’t think that’s going to be the way I do it.

But the recurring questions in my head is still, what’s next? Right now, I think the answer is locums. Locums benefits me in a lot of ways, and it seems like it is the opportunity that is accessible to me through my training. I do think there are limitations or problems that I will run into, but maybe the cost/benefit ratio works out pretty good for me. I would say my #1 right off the bat is the possibility to take time off easily. I want a pretty big break. And it seems like working a few locums contracts spaced out would actually allow me a lot more freedom than just delaying a job start even 3-6 months. I do want to be working, I just don’t want to be contracted in to continue working. I want to keep my flexibility.

The other piece that is important to me is bridging the gap. I have this impression that the difference between being a resident and being an attending is overblown in my mind, and I am intimidated by the transition. In order to get over it, I think it’s best to dive in and see for myself rather than delay and worry. I also know I have a lot more to learn. The process of being a doctor is a continual growth curve. By visiting different smaller towns to work, I can hopefully encounter some of the good “teachers” who are untapped by residency programs or medical schools. As a mentor pointed out, I have good “teachability”, and if I show up eager to learn at a site, there are more seasoned docs who will take me under their wing. Not that I expect to be formally taught, but just that learning opportunities come up. I think I might get the most out of just showing up trying things out.

I have heard that a lot of locums contracts would actually be happy to turn in to permanent employment. I trust myself that I can say no, but I also know that that might be harder for me than it seems right now from here.