The year of the Nomad

I am so excited, I just don't know where to begin...I have deleted and rewritten this sentence ten times, so I will simply type without putting too much thought into it, God help the reader. Yesterday was the last day of a chapter in my life, as I finished working at a job that has pushed me forward and at the same time held me back for over 5 years. When I finished residency, I moved to California looking for mountains and oceans, taking a job with good salary and good benefits, and also a good amount of responsibility. I bought a house, because real estate had value then (big mistake, it was 2005 folks) and that's what you were supposed to do after you finished training--you settle down. I thought of developing a career and having a family, joining the society I didn't have time for when I was a resident. Over the next 5 years, I learned a few things about myself, however: I still didn't have time working at this pace, and I wasn't ready to settle down especially not here. Add that to the fact that the kind of "mate" I was looking for, wasn't the kind of person who would settle here as a single person. So why was I here? Well, did I mention the good salary? And the support system among my peers, the need to complete my boards, and honestly, my desire to not let anyone down, especially my partners. Then why would I leave? Well, decreased reimbursement, stress, anxiety, perceived lack of appreciation, and the isolation that a stressful, time consuming job can cause. Hate to say it, but I don't think I am the only physician who feels this way, and this is going to have a profound effect on the health care system in the next decade as physicians retire early, or do what I did--get the hell out! I realized that if I stayed, I would never feel a sense of balance or fulfillment. My health would suffer, my personal growth would stagnate, and in another 5 years I would look back with regret. Sooooo, I quit my job, paid the price for my freedom, sweet freedom, and I am outta here! Off to explore the world, other healthcare systems, other cultures, myself... Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained...

As an aside, I have to say that if you ever need an ego boost, leave your current home. I have never had such an outpouring of love, not to mention cake, from my friends, my patients, my colleagues at the hospital, the wonderful nurses and medical assistants that I have had a chance to work with over the last 5 years. I am so thankful to be blessed with these people in my life!

My best to all for a truly monumental new year! Watch out world, here I come...