Many medical professionals are familiar with the heart-wrenching issue of having to choose between their career and their kids. There’s only 24 hours in a day, and something always slips off your perpetually busy schedule. Whether your choices take the form of not having kids in the first place, or trying to juggle diapers, homework, and getting kids to school, while also getting to the clinic or hospital on time, combining kids and a medical career can be hectic and overwhelming. Even for a single-income household with one stay-at-home parent and one working parent—if that parent is a physician, they may still find themselves stressed out and stretched in too many directions, not to mention unable to spend time with their kids.
As a parent and a physician, if you’re having a hard time finding a work/life balance, locum tenens might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Here’s why:
Maternity/Paternity Leave
While locum tenens can be a great solution for those left in the office while a coworker is out sick or on maternity leave, it can also be a beneficial opportunity for new mothers and fathers. By working locum tenens around the time that you or your spouse is expecting a child, you will have full control over the time you are able to take off work when you need it and won’t be limited to the standard six to eight weeks of maternity leave. When your child is born, you’ll be able to devote yourself to bonding with your newborn without worrying about needing to get back to work on someone else’s schedule. Locum tenens positions offer you a level of flexibility that you won’t find in many other scenarios.
Prioritize Family Time
With a contract position, you can control your own hours, and determine when, where, and how long you work. In private practice, you may have found yourself at the office for long hours and pulled between paperwork and patients long after you should have been at home. When you work locum tenens, you’ll have more time to spend with your kids at every stage of their lives, and can be present for basketball games, talent shows, and birthday parties. Your kids will only be young once, and by working locum tenens you’ll be able to be there every step of the way.
Lower Stress Levels
Parents are often more susceptible to feelings of burnout and stress—especially mothers—due to the number of additional responsibilities on their shoulders. Locum tenens offers mothers the ability to work part-time while still having time with their children, and not feeling the additional stress of full-time professional responsibilities. For fathers, the flexibility offered can also lessen stress, as you are able to spend more time being present in your children’s lives.
Set Your Own Boundaries
If you’re working locum tenens as a parent, you’re able to set your own boundaries when you need to focus on family. With contract assignments, you have no professional commitments when you’re not out on assignment and can take a few weeks off to spend time with your family, should the need arise. Whether you decline to take any assignments so you can go on vacation with the whole crew, or just need to be home during summer break to keep an eye on the little ones, locum tenens offers you an enormous amount of flexibility—no matter what your needs may be.
Ready to make the jump? Contact our office today to find the locum tenens opportunity that’s right for you.