This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.
Prudential Financial’s recent “Pulse of the American Worker” survey found that 1 in 4 workers are preparing to seek opportunities with a new employer.1 Additionally, more than 40% of people who responded to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, a global survey of more than 30,000 people in 31 countries, stated they are considering leaving their employer this year.2 It is clear that the coronavirus pandemic has succeeded in highlighting the occupational issues workers value most, showing that the collective workforce is willing to sail with the wind of change.
In comparison with the general workforce, while retina specialists’ appetite for change is no different, the factors relevant to job change are quite specific. Is it time for you to make a move? If you’ve found yourself asking this question, here are a few critical considerations that suggest it’s time for a change.
GEOGRAPHY: TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS
Within the last decade, retina practices have dramatically increased their mobility concerning geographical coverage. More recently—and in the context of the global pandemic—the desire to be closer to family and friends has become a significant job determinant. Partly owing to pandemic lockdown measures and the inability to travel, you may feel that now may be the time to relocate closer to loved ones.
If you experienced a significant amount of burden from being far away from your “ideal” location, now may be the right time to focus your desire for a new site. However, the same retina job criteria remain: private vs academic, hospital vs community, urban vs rural. Furthermore, keep in mind that not all states are equal in malpractice insurance, taxation, and tort reform.
TIME: THE SUN IS THE SAME IN A RELATIVE WAY BUT YOU’RE OLDER
Before the pandemic, a period of unemployment associated with a new position was considered relatively negative. Concerns like licensing, credentialing, and insurance verification easily take 3 to 6 months, which may be a drawback to relocating. The latter is not the case at the moment. In a stressed workforce with alarming rates of burnout, time off is a major factor. If you are willing to accept a period of unemployment or desire time off to spend with loved ones, these normal concners may support you seeking a new position. This “free” time may be worth taking advantage of, and is likely to be an investment you won’t regret.
SCHEDULE: WORKING FROM SEVEN TO ELEVEN EVERY NIGHT, IT REALLY MAKES LIFE A DRAG
When it comes to seeking out a new position and possibly relocating, the most common issue is scheduling. Unhappiness with a current schedule, including not enough operating time, long commutes to satellite clinics, or lack of autonomy over personal templates, are all bona fide considerations that hint that it’s time for a change. With the wisdom of experience, you can seek out a new position and emphasize how much clinic time you want and how much operating time you need. Congruently, negotiating a new contract is optimal to discuss critical auxiliary commitments, such as research, administration, and practice management.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a global talent migration currently in flux as workers seek employers who will prioritize the significant considerations of their employees. Retina specialists are no different in this regard, and here we have discussed three major factors that indicate that it may be time to change positions. NRP
REFERENCES
1. Prudential. Pulse of the American worker survey: is this working? April 5, 2021. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://news.prudential.com/presskits/pulse-american-worker-survey-is-this-working.htm
2. Microsoft. 2021 Work trend index: the next great disruption is hybrid work—are we ready? March 22, 2021. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work.
