For retired healthcare providers, the transition between full-time work and full-time free time can be jarring and even unsettling. After a decade of education, then additional years of training, and years of long hours at the hospital or clinic, suddenly entering a retirement that is filled with a whole lot of nothing to do all day is often highly unappealing to healthcare professionals—which is why many work full-time long into their 60s and 70s.
But what if you just want a break? You don’t want to stop doing what you love, and what you spent a lifetime working towards, but you also don’t want to work full-time anymore. If this is the case, the locum tenens lifestyle might just be what you’re looking for.
Here are just a few reasons working locum tenens is a great choice for semi-retired medical professionals:
Financial Freedom
By working locum tenens, you’ll continue to make income, and often will make a highly competitive salary that exceeds that of traditional employment. This, in addition to any benefits you may already have from previous employment, can ensure that you are financially prepared for whatever the future holds. By working locum tenens in retirement, even on an irregular basis, you can ensure financial freedom for yourself and your family.
Travel
If travel is on your retirement plan, locum tenens offers a fantastic set of opportunities for you. By working with a staffing agency like Eskridge & Associates, you’ll be able to practice anywhere you’ve always wanted to visit, at a fraction of the cost. You’ll also be able to spend more time with family who may live far away if you request assignments in closer locations!
Flexibility
One of the great benefits of working locum tenens is the flexibility it offers. If you want to keep working but are ready to slow down and not carry the weight of full-time responsibility, you can do that by accepting shorter-term assignments that may last only a few months or even weeks. You’ll be able to fill in when other physicians travel or take sick leave, which is beneficial to both parties. A schedule like this puts you in control: you decide when you work and for how long, so you can take a break when you need to.
Do What You Love
Finally, the best part of working locum tenens during your retirement, or semi-retirement, is that you get to continue doing what you love. You’ll be able to provide care, interact with patients, and retain a sense of purpose in your life, even as you start to slow down and take things a little easier. With locum tenens, you can have the best of both worlds—work when you want to, and rest when you need to.
Ready to get started on your locum tenens adventure? At Eskridge & Associates, we’re eager to use our experience, expertise, and wealth of resources to help you achieve your career goals at any stage of life.
If you’re ready for your next opportunity, contact our office today, or browse our jobs page for the latest openings.