can't decide between jobs

[cherryalmond]

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I am having trouble deciding between two offer,both outpt. One is at a hospital and one at a clinic. One is working with adolescents and adults,the other is just with adults. The money is the same at both. At the hospital i will have to supervise a resident,attend grand rounds, and possibly cover the unit and cpep if needed. I may also have to teach a class. The patient populations will be different as the hospital will mostlikely be meedicaid pts and the clinic is mostly middle class. Also the clinic is run by a social workeer and the majority of people working there are social workers. I never thought i would have two job offers and though i am glad i definitely am hving trouble making this decision.
I have spoken to friends who finished up residency last yeear and have gotten advice though nothing that can help me make my decision. Oh and thy both take thee same amt of time to get to but the clinic is 2x the mileage. Thanks for any replies

 

[OldPsychDoc]

I am having trouble deciding between two offer,both outpt. One is at a hospital and one at a clinic. One is working with adolescents and adults,the other is just with adults. The money is the same at both. At the hospital i will have to supervise a resident,attend grand rounds, and possibly cover the unit and cpep if needed. I may also have to teach a class. The patient populations will be different as the hospital will mostlikely be meedicaid pts and the clinic is mostly middle class. Also the clinic is run by a social workeer and the majority of people working there are social workers. I never thought i would have two job offers and though i am glad i definitely am hving trouble making this decision.
I have spoken to friends who finished up residency last yeear and have gotten advice though nothing that can help me make my decision. Oh and thy both take thee same amt of time to get to but the clinic is 2x the mileage. Thanks for any replies

I'm sure it's a tough decision. As far as general advice, though, there are enough distinctives between the two that you should be able to follow your gut and answer the question "What do I want to do now?" Would it be fun to teach & supervise? Would it be more enjoyable in a totally outpatient setting, being the medical mind to a group of social workers? I've done both types of settings and it may vary from day to day which I like best. Does one give you more time or flexibility to pursue other interests? (Oh--and is the money the same beyond salary? i.e CME allowances, etc? Will one pay for your boards? )

Try not to think of this as a permanent life decision. I work in a large health care system and people are always coming in and out or shifting jobs within the group depending on their desires, career evolution, family needs, etc. No one is going to call you a slacker or a quitter if you change your mind in 2-3 years (and yes, there will be jobs then!) and do something different.

Congratulations and good luck!

 

[whopper]

The advice I can give is take the one that you'll like better. The problem here is I don't know enough of you to tell you what that'd be.

Personally I'd take the adult one because I don't have a child fellowship under my belt. I don't know which one is the hospital, but I like teaching so I'd favor that one as well.

 

[nitemagi]

Try not to think of this as a permanent life decision. I work in a large health care system and people are always coming in and out or shifting jobs within the group depending on their desires, career evolution, family needs, etc. No one is going to call you a slacker or a quitter if you change your mind in 2-3 years (and yes, there will be jobs then!) and do something different.

I think this is a key message. One of the great things about psychiatry is that there is a lot of job flexibility. It's ok to work multiple varied jobs in a week, and to switch areas entirely during your career. I'd also wonder about lifestyle -- after residency it's nice to have a lighter schedule for a little while. I myself have not allowed myself that, and frankly regretted it. So I'd say factor in total hours per week, and stress level with each.

 

[cherryalmond]

Thanks for the responses. Ii think there is an intimidation factor i am dealing with as a new attending. I am trying to pick the job with less stress and less hours but i honestly do not know which that would be. The clinic job,where i will see adolescents,and i did do a child fellowship, payss a bit moree money but it is actually negligible because of the extra gas i wouuldd be using getting there as well as a bridge toll. The hosp job involves supervising a resident and possibly teaching a class. I am scared! And i hope i will not be judged for that but as a new attending i feel it is expected. I do feel like i am making a huge decision and maybe it is not that huge afterall since if i dislike whichever i take i can leave. To be honest the hospital is not the nicest and i hear the clinics they run may be moving to another location. The clinic is deefinitely very stable and well known. The hours are the same,stress level i have no idea. O also i will be expected to provide coverage when neeeded for the inpatient unit at the hospital which i would prefer not to.
Thanks

 

[whopper]

Everyone views a new thing in black and white terms. There is a lot to learn even as an attending. As mentioned above, even if you pick the wrong job, you can always pull out later. Even if you pick the wrong job, you can learn from this experience.

I did not feel comfortable with all my job options until I worked for the state, did a few private forensic psychiatry cases, the Court, worked for a university, a community mental health center, a prestigious private facility, and private practice. Every job I kept wondering if this was the best field for me and had the grass is green on the other side phenomenon.

And with each new job, I became a better doctor because I worked in a different clinical setting where I figured out how it works on the other side.

 

[PikminOC]

Everyone views a new thing in black and white terms. There is a lot to learn even as an attending. As mentioned above, even if you pick the wrong job, you can always pull out later. Even if you pick the wrong job, you can learn from this experience.

I did not feel comfortable with all my job options until I worked for the state, did a few private forensic psychiatry cases, the Court, worked for a university, a community mental health center, a prestigious private facility, and private practice. Every job I kept wondering if this was the best field for me and had the grass is green on the other side phenomenon.

And with each new job, I became a better doctor because I worked in a different clinical setting where I figured out how it works on the other side.

I agree, at that time, it was good for me to be where I was working. There were major benefits in terms of learning.

 

[DebDynamite]

I am about to be a pgy5. I vote for the clinic job. Why? It sounds as if the hospital is placing itself in a position to scut you more easily. Cover impatient, supervise a resident, give a few lectures.... it's adding up. If you work in the clinic, you can volunteer to lecture in your nearest academic center, school district, etc. Then you lecture on your terms. Why spread yourself too thin in your first year out? What happens to your outpatient load on the days you are "covering" inpatient? How much time would you be able to spend with the inpatients you will be covering if you are still seeing all of your outpatients? Of course it can be done. But is that how you want to start off? Just my thoughts.

 

[DebDynamite]

Someone told me recently that over 65% of psychiatrists switch jobs after their first year out. I have no idea if this is true. In my observation, I have seen a higher percentage of my seniors do so. I would not sweat it either way.