The other side of training.

Congratulations if you’re still following after a near 2 year hiatus. Got stuck in a pandemic. Finished training a few weeks ago. Starting as a geriatrician in private practice in a few days.
So I know you want to know, what’s it like? What’s it like NOT BEING A JUNIOR DOCTOR?

At first it’s horrible. You’re so institutionalised you don’t know how to come out of your cage. You feel like a failure because you didn’t secure The Greatest Boss Job of All Time at The Most Prestigious Hospital (even though you’re not sure you wanted that anyway) even though there are no jobs because pandemic. And then as you get to know the new private practice you’ve just joined, who’ve been encouraging you to come on board for almost the last three years, you understand what life can be like. Your life belongs to you. You get asked questions like “what hours would you like to work?” and “we’ve sorted out all this stuff for you” and “we’re here for you”. Your life is your own now. Yes there’s still college requirements but they don’t require the begging and silent shame of never getting them done on time. People ask your opinion. All that struggle was suddenly worth it.

And here is the greatest kept secret the public hospitals don’t want you to know. Private work (which lets face it, is hardly American style billings and you’re going to bulk bill a lot anyway), is lovely by comparison because you’re in control of you. No more yearly distress over having to reapply for the same job you’ve been doing for years. No more being barked at by hospital admin for minor transgressions. You’re just simply, free. Keep your eyes on the prize trainees.