- Joined
- Oct 26, 2022
- Messages
- 398
- Reaction score
- 821
I am early-mid career Emergency Medicine, currently W2 employed by a large hospital system and have been given the opportunity to join an independent democratic group. Their partnership track seems fair (2 years; minimally more hours than I work now). Their pre-partner pay is essentially the same as I make now (maybe even a little more), which makes the financial risk of joining essentially zero. Obviously, there are significant benefits once you make partner.
Current job: I've stagnated, professionally and financially. My pay has risen 7% since 2020. Really no opportunity for growth. It's obvious that there's no culture of change or improvement here. I've tried to get involved with leadership, but it seems like they're looking only for "yes men" and I do not fit their mold. The BIG pro is that I do not work any overnight shifts as there are nocturnists (this is a benefit that could go away if group composition changes). I've become increasingly frustrated and bitter in this job as there are people who have been there a long time, who get paid much more than I do (hundreds of thousands), who are less productive (pay is based on time served NOT production, but read on). I was able to tolerate this when I thought the same income would eventually be attainable for me, but the hospital scrapped the previous compensation system, and what was attainable before will never be attainable now.
Many people have "sweetheart" deals:
1) One nocturnist works an extreme number of shifts, although does not work on said shifts. They grossed 1 million last year. This is not an exaggeration. They disappear on shifts / scroll on phone, leaving the swing doc to see all the patients. They have been banned from working at one of our sites because of a huge nursing rebellion. Admin is aware, and takes no action, because they rely on this person to stabilize night coverage.
2) Multiple "boomer" types that work only day time weekdays, never swing or nights, never weekends or holidays, never high acuity shifts
3) An admin group that works minimal shifts (chair worked 2 shifts all summer), never swing / nights / holidays / high acuity. Disappear for "meetings" while on shift.
All of the above make more money than I do, and it is extremely frustrating.
New Job: Group is expanding. They currently staff a handful of hospitals across a few systems. They seem successful and that they "get it." There will be higher expectations in terms of metrics and patient satisfaction (this will be an adjustment). The major con is I will have to work about 3 overnights a month. The commute is also longer: about 45 minutes compared to my 20 now, which to be honest, doesn't bother me (I can decompress post shift, listen to pods, etc.).
I feel somewhat disappointed and nostalgic regarding the current job: I joined thinking it would be my last job and knew a lot of the leadership and group members previously. I had high hopes. However, COVID happened, and everything changed. It's obvious the hospital system regards the ED as a loss leader, and there is no respect from either departmental or hospital leadership. I've gone through cycles of relative frustration w this job before, but stuck it out thinking things would somehow improve or change...it hasn't. Many people have left (docs and midlevels...it's the typical EM carousel I guess).
Any pearls or words of wisdom would be appreciated!
Current job: I've stagnated, professionally and financially. My pay has risen 7% since 2020. Really no opportunity for growth. It's obvious that there's no culture of change or improvement here. I've tried to get involved with leadership, but it seems like they're looking only for "yes men" and I do not fit their mold. The BIG pro is that I do not work any overnight shifts as there are nocturnists (this is a benefit that could go away if group composition changes). I've become increasingly frustrated and bitter in this job as there are people who have been there a long time, who get paid much more than I do (hundreds of thousands), who are less productive (pay is based on time served NOT production, but read on). I was able to tolerate this when I thought the same income would eventually be attainable for me, but the hospital scrapped the previous compensation system, and what was attainable before will never be attainable now.
Many people have "sweetheart" deals:
1) One nocturnist works an extreme number of shifts, although does not work on said shifts. They grossed 1 million last year. This is not an exaggeration. They disappear on shifts / scroll on phone, leaving the swing doc to see all the patients. They have been banned from working at one of our sites because of a huge nursing rebellion. Admin is aware, and takes no action, because they rely on this person to stabilize night coverage.
2) Multiple "boomer" types that work only day time weekdays, never swing or nights, never weekends or holidays, never high acuity shifts
3) An admin group that works minimal shifts (chair worked 2 shifts all summer), never swing / nights / holidays / high acuity. Disappear for "meetings" while on shift.
All of the above make more money than I do, and it is extremely frustrating.
New Job: Group is expanding. They currently staff a handful of hospitals across a few systems. They seem successful and that they "get it." There will be higher expectations in terms of metrics and patient satisfaction (this will be an adjustment). The major con is I will have to work about 3 overnights a month. The commute is also longer: about 45 minutes compared to my 20 now, which to be honest, doesn't bother me (I can decompress post shift, listen to pods, etc.).
I feel somewhat disappointed and nostalgic regarding the current job: I joined thinking it would be my last job and knew a lot of the leadership and group members previously. I had high hopes. However, COVID happened, and everything changed. It's obvious the hospital system regards the ED as a loss leader, and there is no respect from either departmental or hospital leadership. I've gone through cycles of relative frustration w this job before, but stuck it out thinking things would somehow improve or change...it hasn't. Many people have left (docs and midlevels...it's the typical EM carousel I guess).
Any pearls or words of wisdom would be appreciated!
