Increasing Your Income
Dr. Stanley Green is a hospitalist who eventually wants to practice medicine in his home country of South Africa. He's worked locums exclusively since his graduation in 2016 and says he earns 25-35% more than what he'd make in a more traditional full-time position.
Dr. Green knows that physicians in South Africa earn less than those in the United States. "The kind of money I'd make in South Africa would never enable me to pay off my student loans," he says. Working locums is helping him pay off his loans faster and getting him closer to his goal of giving back in South Africa.
"With the flexibility and money I earn working locums, I envision that I'll stay with locums for some part of the year and live in both places, maybe working three to four months in the States. Then with the money I earn here I can facilitate living the rest of the year in South Africa and getting paid little or nothing."
Reconnecting with Your Passions
After 14 years working as an obstetrician-gynecologist in the same hospital, Dr. Jacqueline Brown needed a break. She ended up quitting her job and spending a year traveling and scuba diving—two activities that she'd had trouble finding the time for when she worked full-time.
When Dr. Brown returned after a year away, she decided against signing a new full-time contract. She now works locum tenens assignments three or four months at a time before taking a month off to pursue her passions.
"The locum tenens lifestyle gives me the freedom and flexibility I need," says Dr. Brown. "I use locum tenens assignments as a way to explore new areas of the country. I really like outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, so being in areas that have wilderness is ideal."
Dr. Brown plans to continue working locums for at least the next ten years. "I love my life now. I find my work rewarding again, and I have time away from work for the things I enjoy."
Whether you're just starting in your career or a seasoned physician looking for a change, locum tenens might be just what your career needs.
Article Originally Published on ACOG Career Connection
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