Give Yourself the Gift of Locums
Give Yourself the Gift of Locums
The holiday season is fast approaching. And while we usually think of this season as a time to give to others, we also need to consider what gifts we give ourselves. We physicians need to decide what we will do for ourselves in terms of career satisfaction, financial independence, and time freedom. I encourage everyone this holiday season to give yourself the gift of locums.
Career Satisfaction. Many locums doctors I talk to say they will never go back to being a permanent physician. As a locums physician, you literally have control over every aspect of your career. You can work where you want, when you want, and for how much money you want. You don’t have to be concerned with the issues that bog down most employed physicians. As a locums doctor, all you have to do is your job and then go home. Your role is to see patients and practice medicine. And, as physicians, that’s what we love to do.
Financial Independence. Working as a locums physician is a sure-fire way to obtain financial independence. First, you typically make a higher hourly rate than most employed physicians. Second, because you are an independent contractor, you are essentially a business and can take advantage of the tax benefits that come with being a business owner. Third, as a locums physician, there is no limit in terms of how much you can work. And the more you work, the more you make.
As a locums physician, there are no restrictions on the types of work you can do outside of your job. Employed physicians oftentimes cannot moonlight, open businesses, do paid speaking, perform consulting work, or even write books without the permission of their employer. You technically don’t have an employer, so you are not beholden to any of the restrictions employers place on their employees. Even if you are an employed physician or in private practice, picking up as little as one or two locums shifts per month can really make an impact on your finances.
Time Freedom. As a locums physician, your time is your own. One of the major causes of burnout among physicians is the feeling that they have no control of their time or work schedule. Whereas, locums doctors only work the days they want to work. You don’t have to ask for anyone’s permission to take time off. If you don’t want to work a particular week, just don’t schedule any shifts. Easy.
It is not too late to start performing locums work over the holiday season. Get started today by contacting the locums experts at Floyd Lee Locums.
Stephanie E. Freeman, MD, earned her Medical Degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and her Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Freeman also completed a Geriatrics fellowship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She obtained her Masters of Business Administration at Auburn University.
Learn more at DrStephanieICU.com