How much do family doctors actually earn? Right after residency?

[psychMDhopefully]

When I worked ER I got paid a wage between what the PA's made and the ER docs. Of course I don't do trauma or anything that required life saving measures in general when I worked the big ER. I was on locums so got paid by the hour. When I did critical care access hospital I got paid a separate wage for ER coverage from the clinic coverage. Yes, you can break 300K working ER. You can break that working any job if your volume and RVU's are high enough. It all comes down to the contract.

Have you ever covered a rural ED by yourself? What is the pay like there?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Have you ever covered a rural ED by yourself? What is the pay like there?

Yes, many many times. But this was as a locum provider. Where I worked I maybe saw 1-2 patients a day in the ER while working in clinic at the same time. All of my expenses were paid for. I made $85/hr in clinic, and $100/hr when called to the ER. I can't give you a salary because I never worked a salary ER job. Always locums.

 

[Ericslv]

Have you ever covered a rural ED by yourself? What is the pay like there?

Not too long ago I saw an advertisement to work in a rural ER in Minnesota. I believe it was for 36 hr ships in a very rural ER. The kind where if major trauma came in you would stabilize and ship out. I think it was for over 300K/year. I sounded like they weren't very busy but had to have someone there.

 

[plica]

Have you ever covered a rural ED by yourself? What is the pay like there?

I do. $136/hr. 12 hour shifts. See about 20-25 patients per day. Run codes and trauma.

 

[TedStark]

I do. $136/hr. 12 hour shifts. See about 20-25 patients per day. Run codes and trauma.

Wow. That is terrible pay.

 

[psychMDhopefully]

Wow. That is terrible pay.

Comes out to about 230k a year for 136 x 36 x 48 Seems like FM ED pay isn't on par with EM ED pay, unless the place is really desperate.

 

[Mad Jack]

My question to this is why in the hell is a NP even allowed in the ICU there? Most places anymore it's hard enough to get privileges as an FP???

Ever since the resident hour restrictions, a lot of formerly resident-dependent ICUs have added NPs and PAs to function as resident stand-ins, essentially. Back where I worked, the residents would be rounding pretty much all day, while an NP or PA would remain on-unit so that we had a point of contact and someone that could write orders or react immediately while we waited for the attending and resident to get their asses back to the unit. They generally are working as true extenders in the ICU, not independently, and aren't determining care plans or anything. They're basically just holding the ship steady while the captain is away.

 

[NurWollen]

Comes out to about 230k a year for 136 x 36 x 48 Seems like FM ED pay isn't on par with EM ED pay, unless the place is really desperate.

Remember there is tremendous variation in how much EM-boarded docs earn too. For every partner-owner of FSED in Texas making 500k+ there is an employee in an oversaturated market making 250k.

 

[plica]

Comes out to about 230k a year for 136 x 36 x 48 Seems like FM ED pay isn't on par with EM ED pay, unless the place is really desperate.

You are probably going to be working more like 48 hrs per week (4 12 hr shifts) which comes out to $313K/yr.

 

[psychMDhopefully]

You are probably going to be working more like 48 hrs per week (4 12 hr shifts) which comes out to $313K/yr.

hmm, Im guessing ER docs work some 3 12 weeks and some 4 12 weeks, to equal 14-15 shifts a month. In that case its be around 270k , speculating though, on another thread ER docs posted their schedules, and not many worked more than 36hrs a week.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/er-work-hours.862616/

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Ever since the resident hour restrictions, a lot of formerly resident-dependent ICUs have added NPs and PAs to function as resident stand-ins, essentially. Back where I worked, the residents would be rounding pretty much all day, while an NP or PA would remain on-unit so that we had a point of contact and someone that could write orders or react immediately while we waited for the attending and resident to get their asses back to the unit. They generally are working as true extenders in the ICU, not independently, and aren't determining care plans or anything. They're basically just holding the ship steady while the captain is away.

Sounds like the surgical service when the residents/chief are in the OR/clinic.

 

[Mad Jack]

Sounds like the surgical service when the residents/chief are in the OR/clinic.

Our CT team operated that way, though they only utilized that model in our lower acuity non-CT surgical unit (the unit with the more unstable patients tended to have a greater level of resident coverage and availability).

 

[TedStark]

I was under the impression that FM docs got paid the same as EM docs when working in the same ED. The lower acuity lower volume lower paying ED's are just more likely to be staffed with FM guys. Is this wrong?

 

[cabinbuilder]

I was under the impression that FM docs got paid the same as EM docs when working in the same ED. The lower acuity lower volume lower paying ED's are just more likely to be staffed with FM guys. Is this wrong?

You absolutely cannot assume this. It all comes down to experience and the contract. A new grad FM doc is not going to be paid the same as a boarded EM doc in the same location.

 

[TedStark]

Good to know

 

[psychMDhopefully]

From what I gather, FM can do stuff- ER, Hospitalist, etc but you have to prove to the people hiring you that you can do those things. People who have done residency in EM and IM for those jobs people just assume you're well trained.

 

[KP2AZ]

From what I gather, FM can do stuff- ER, Hospitalist, etc but you have to prove to the people hiring you that you can do those things. People who have done residency in EM and IM for those jobs people just assume you're well trained.

So I guess we keep a Log of all procedures we have done in the field during residency and out in practice to show we are capable. I'm assuming people will need to sign off on this?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[cabinbuilder]

So I guess we keep a Log of all procedures we have done in the field during residency and out in practice to show we are capable. I'm assuming people will need to sign off on this?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Yes and No. When you are in residency you are required to keep logs of your patients and submit them. You will have access later when you need them. Your preceptors in residency will sign off your procedures. I kept my own logs as a locum for personal record because I worked many different types of jobs. Those were taken as valid without ever being checked by someone else.

 

[Methodnike]

I have been out of this forum for a while but thought i would post here being almost 2 years out of residency. After having a few medical students rotating with me stating that their " advisors" recommended not to pursue family medicine due to their high loans, I got quite upset.

First of all, money shouldn't be your main factor to choose your speciality. Choose what you like the most. You'll make good money in any field if you are a motivated hard worker.

Second, FM can make more than 200, 300k. In my residency program, I did a lot of procedures, both inpatient and outpatient, I rounded on ICU patients, managed vents, etc... I was always motivated to work efficiently .

In the outpatient setting, I could see easily 10-12 in a half day and thought that was not enough. I was bored, but couldn't see more due to the limited help provided by the MAs.

When I interviewed (same company I did residency with), I could see production numbers of some other offices where docs were making 400k+ a year. These are not common, most docs make in the mid 200s.

I'll spare you details, but I started at a 170k base salary, +production bonus. Outpatient only, 4 days a week, no weekends. I can take PRN shifts in urgent cares, inpatient, house docs shifts, or other outpatient offices if there is a need.
Right now we are paid by productivity (wRVUs) model, or fee for service. This may change in the future, and some job offers now in the country offer a capitated system (you are paid a chunk amount per year per patient, no matter if you see them 10 times or 2 times per year).

I have the same system i used in residency so adaptation was easy. I trained my MA well and became productive quickly that I needed a second MA. An older doc retired last April so things got busier . I did about 320k last year, I'll be barely above 400k for 2016. All outpatient, 4 days a weekly, roughly 8 am I start, I finish my last patient around 5Pm, I am out the door before 6 with all paperwork done. Call schedule is 1 day out of 4. ( we get anywhere from 0 to 3 calls per night, rarely any after 10 PM).
I see about 32-40 patients daily, mostly in upper 30s.

When my students come, they realize how busy my practice is and it's all about efficiency, and billing.

Some might say , you don't spend enough time with patients with such volume? Again, efficiency. I know my patients very well. I spend minimal time on the computer, and my attention in the room is focused on the patient, not the screen. My MAs also are efficient and work the way I trained them.

I've also been to see my colleagues at other offices. Some on them don't want to see more than 20 a day. But they spend a lot of time chit chatting with colleagues between patients, Google stuff on Internet, read the news, etc... I keep that for lunch time.

 

[psychMDhopefully]

I have been out of this forum for a while but thought i would post here being almost 2 years out of residency. After having a few medical students rotating with me stating that their " advisors" recommended not to pursue family medicine due to their high loans, I got quite upset.

First of all, money shouldn't be your main factor to choose your speciality. Choose what you like the most. You'll make good money in any field if you are a motivated hard worker.

Second, FM can make more than 200, 300k. In my residency program, I did a lot of procedures, both inpatient and outpatient, I rounded on ICU patients, managed vents, etc... I was always motivated to work efficiently .

In the outpatient setting, I could see easily 10-12 in a half day and thought that was not enough. I was bored, but couldn't see more due to the limited help provided by the MAs.

When I interviewed (same company I did residency with), I could see production numbers of some other offices where docs were making 400k+ a year. These are not common, most docs make in the mid 200s.

I'll spare you details, but I started at a 170k base salary, +production bonus. Outpatient only, 4 days a week, no weekends. I can take PRN shifts in urgent cares, inpatient, or house docs shifts.
Right now we are paid by productivity (wRVUs) model, or fee for service. This may change in the future, and some job offers now in the country offer a capitated system (you are paid a chunk amount per year per patient, no matter if you see them 10 times or 2 times per year).

I have the same system i used in residency so adaptation was easy. I trained my MA well and became productive quickly that I needed a second MA. An older doc retired last April so things got busier . I did about 320k last year, I'll be barely above 400k for 2016. All outpatient, 4 days a weekly, roughly 8 am I start, I finish my last patient around 5Pm, I am out the door before 6 with all paperwork done. Call schedule is 1 day out of 4. ( we get anywhere from 0 to 3 calls per night, rarely any after 10 PM).
I see about 32-40 patients daily, mostly in upper 30s.

When my students come, they realize how busy my practice is and it's all about efficiency, and billing.

Some might say , you don't spend enough time with patients with such volume? Again, efficiency. I know my patients very well. I spend minimal time on the computer, and my attention in the room is focused on the patient, not the screen. My MAs also are efficient and work the way I trained them.


How do you dictate, write notes, and put in orders? Do you have a scribe?

I've also been to see my colleagues at other offices. Some on them don't want to see more than 20 a day. But they spend a lot of time chit chatting with colleagues between patients, Google stuff on Internet, read the news, etc... I keep that for lunch time.

 

[Methodnike]

I have 2 MAs. I don't have a scribe.
They put in all the lab orders, Rx orders ( for chronic patients), and they type in the HPI, the ROS and CC.
I have numerous templates for my PE then I hand free type my plan ( less than 1 minute on average).

I make sure I review the HPI and ROS during additional questions. Your PE does not need to be extensive at every visit.
As the patient leaves, I close my encounter so I don't forget details. My MA makes sure they get a visit summary, reminds them to call a number of they need to make an appointment with specialist , to get labs or Rx... While she does that I'm already in the next room seeing the next patient with the HPI and ROS ready for me.

For acute visits, I orders labs and Rx. But the visits are shorter. You don't need more than 5 minutes for a teenager with acute sinusitis or viral pharyngitis.

You have to realize it takes time to train your MA like that... For me it was about 1 year.. She learned a lot as we go. Then the second MA is easier to train because the first one can helps her out too.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I have been out of this forum for a while but thought i would post here being almost 2 years out of residency. After having a few medical students rotating with me stating that their " advisors" recommended not to pursue family medicine due to their high loans, I got quite upset.

First of all, money shouldn't be your main factor to choose your speciality. Choose what you like the most. You'll make good money in any field if you are a motivated hard worker.

Second, FM can make more than 200, 300k. In my residency program, I did a lot of procedures, both inpatient and outpatient, I rounded on ICU patients, managed vents, etc... I was always motivated to work efficiently .

In the outpatient setting, I could see easily 10-12 in a half day and thought that was not enough. I was bored, but couldn't see more due to the limited help provided by the MAs.

When I interviewed (same company I did residency with), I could see production numbers of some other offices where docs were making 400k+ a year. These are not common, most docs make in the mid 200s.

I'll spare you details, but I started at a 170k base salary, +production bonus. Outpatient only, 4 days a week, no weekends. I can take PRN shifts in urgent cares, inpatient, or house docs shifts.
Right now we are paid by productivity (wRVUs) model, or fee for service. This may change in the future, and some job offers now in the country offer a capitated system (you are paid a chunk amount per year per patient, no matter if you see them 10 times or 2 times per year).

I have the same system i used in residency so adaptation was easy. I trained my MA well and became productive quickly that I needed a second MA. An older doc retired last April so things got busier . I did about 320k last year, I'll be barely above 400k for 2016. All outpatient, 4 days a weekly, roughly 8 am I start, I finish my last patient around 5Pm, I am out the door before 6 with all paperwork done. Call schedule is 1 day out of 4. ( we get anywhere from 0 to 3 calls per night, rarely any after 10 PM).
I see about 32-40 patients daily, mostly in upper 30s.

When my students come, they realize how busy my practice is and it's all about efficiency, and billing.

Some might say , you don't spend enough time with patients with such volume? Again, efficiency. I know my patients very well. I spend minimal time on the computer, and my attention in the room is focused on the patient, not the screen. My MAs also are efficient and work the way I trained them.

I've also been to see my colleagues at other offices. Some on them don't want to see more than 20 a day. But they spend a lot of time chit chatting with colleagues between patients, Google stuff on Internet, read the news, etc... I keep that for lunch time.

You're fortunate to have patients actually show up on time then, as well as an efficient staff that I'm assuming does most of your note taking.

 

[Methodnike]

You're fortunate to have patients actually show up on time then, as well as an efficient staff that I'm assuming does most of your note taking.

Not everybody shows up on time, things are not perfect.
But if someone's late, there's usually somebody else that arrived early. They can room the patient right away.

The objective is to get people in and out the door without making the doc wait between patients.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Not everybody shows up on time, things are not perfect.
But if someone's late, there's usually somebody else that arrived early. They can room the patient right away.

The objective is to get people in and out the door without making the doc wait between patients.

Absolutely agree with the objective.

 

[hallowmann]

I've seen a general doc work like this in clinic. 40 patients a day easy, but with 2 extenders (NPs, PAs) and 2 MAs every day with 3 exam rooms. It's pretty fast paced, but honestly doesn't feel rushed. MAs room, doc reviews info on EMR after they are roomed while an extender is in the room (<10 min) sees the patient with the extender for 5 min, then spends 1-2 min dictating into dragon for the note while the MA is drawing labs. Docs time per encounter is on the level of 12-15 min at most and he works 8-8.5 hrs a day (30+ min lunch usually brought by a rep).

The vast majority of patients are in pretty good shape given their ages and they almost all show up early. I've honestly never seen this sort of thing before. Most of the time they aren't sitting in the waiting room more than 5 min before they get called up by the MA, so they know if they show up early, they most likely will get roomed and through faster.

The only thing that throws a wrench in the process are the occasional no-shows, which are honestly the exception. Seriously, I have no idea how he found this patient population. At other offices I've been to they'd be lucky if they didn't have more than 4 or 5 no shows a day out of 20-25.

 

[suryapet]

My wife who will be finishing her family practice residency got an offer for 175k base ( guaranteed ) salary with no RVU bonus structure for 2 years. 1 FTE would be 36hrs/week. Location is 1 hour away from a major metro area in midwest. Is this a reasonable offer ? Should we sign anything without a RVU bonus after certain threshold ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[psychMDhopefully]

My wife who will be finishing her family practice residency got an offer for 175k base ( guaranteed ) salary with no RVU bonus structure for 2 years. 1 FTE would be 36hrs/week. Location is 1 hour away from a major metro area in midwest. Is this a reasonable offer ? Should we sign anything without a RVU bonus after certain threshold ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Please don't sign that, know your worth. If you have to, go with her to negotiations. Women are horrible at negotiating salary.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Please don't sign that, know your worth. If you have to, go with her to negotiations. Women are horrible at negotiating salary.

As a medical student who worked closely with numerous FM residents and attendings, I agree with this statement. Anything below 200k nowadays is a disgrace. The FM residents at the program where I rotated were signing contracts 280K+ for reasonable workload and call schedule. Some who were welling to sacrifice geography and lifestyle got jobs that paid 400K+.

 

[Mjolner]

My wife who will be finishing her family practice residency got an offer for 175k base ( guaranteed ) salary with no RVU bonus structure for 2 years. 1 FTE would be 36hrs/week. Location is 1 hour away from a major metro area in midwest. Is this a reasonable offer ? Should we sign anything without a RVU bonus after certain threshold ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Bad contract. Don't sign.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[SLC]

What would you say is a reasonable base if there is a strong RVU productivity bonus?

I've seen around $200k with great benefits (pension, 401k matching, loan repayment), and wRVU bonus that generally adds on 100-150k for most providers.

Reasonable?

 

[suryapet]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Also, what would be a reasonable pay per wRVU ?

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

No less than $40/wRVU, but shoot for higher.

 

[deleted87716]

Just remember that a high initial salary guarantee means that you're going to have to work like a dog to maintain it once the guarantee goes away. If you don't have the volume necessary to do so, there will be little you can do about it.

 

[Merely]

Damn it's so nice to know that upon graduating people are able to pull in 300k! Seems like excellent pay for fm

 

[deleted87716]

Almost seems too good to be true... *cough*

 

[shaggybill]

Kind of a newb question, but do the contracts usually require a minimum stay? After the 2-yr salary guarantee is over, are you free to find another job if you're not digging the gig?

 

[SansaStarkMD]

.

 

[primadonna22274]

So, this is a frustration. I see these too-good-to-be-true "offers" floating, but in my area of the southeast my peers are graduating into outpt only jobs starting at 200k min with signing bonus, relocation, incentives and loan repayment (within my own organization), or hospitalist positions at 300k but no loan repayment (understandable at that price).
But I'm not from here, so I want to go home, and have had lowish offers in the relatively more expensive PNW for $162 (!!!) to 180k without any of the other perks. I am limited to NHSC-approved sites because of a loan repayment obligation, so that's a bit more of a challenge. But I interviewed for a potentially awesome job in NE Washington advertised at a base of 200k, but the actual amount "available" is far less (40k less). We are negotiating but geez, really? Is this what I should be expecting if I want to go home?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deleted87716]

Kind of a newb question, but do the contracts usually require a minimum stay? After the 2-yr salary guarantee is over, are you free to find another job if you're not digging the gig?

It depends on the contract, but unless you were given a large up-front lump sum (e.g., a signing bonus) with a minimum stay requirement, you're usually free to leave at any time. Many (probably most) contracts will contain a non-compete clause, which typically would prohibit you from taking another job within a certain geographic radius for a certain length of time.

 

[FrustratedFamDoc]

Kind of a newb question, but do the contracts usually require a minimum stay? After the 2-yr salary guarantee is over, are you free to find another job if you're not digging the gig?

Corporations, and more importantly corporate medicine aren't in the business of losing money. Be VERY skeptical of offers that are significantly above $200, especially from recruiters. Think about it for a minute. There's a lot of bait on the hook for a reason, and it's usually because the area is not as desirable as some. Payor mix is everything. These less desirable areas typically don't have an abundance of private insurance patients. Your super duper income guarantee isn't going to last forever and you'll be expected to make hay once that sun sets. To maintain that great income with a majority of your patients on government provided insurance will have you working very, very hard.

I had a competitive 2 year teaser on a 5 year guarantee with a sign on bonus and an annual retention bonus. Early termination requires a prorated portion of the NET bonus to be paid back... In other words, pay back my part plus the taxes taken out that I never saw. I also have a 20 mile radius non-compete for 2 years after termination. They're not going to give you a bunch of money and let you go without making it painful for you. My people also take a certain percentage off the top of every dollar that I make. In my 4th year of my contract now and I'm going to do a little better than my initial teaser rate but the majority of my panel is gov insurance and I work hard for every dollar I get.

The devil is in the details.

Edit: Forgot to add that unless in a federally underserved area, usually "loan repayment" funds are nothing more than an additional bonus that will be savaged by the IRS leaving you with significantly less than what you thought.

 

[zero0]

You absolutely cannot assume this. It all comes down to experience and the contract. A new grad FM doc is not going to be paid the same as a boarded EM doc in the same location.

Well, this is unwelcome news. Up until now, I've had this no-way-I-can-lose mentality in medical school since my goal is to just work EM locums and I can do that either as an FM or EM doc. I didn't really care if I was EM boarded, but if the pay's not the same then I guess I really can lose out. Although working 4 days a week (cash only) and moonlighting in the ED when I find a worthwhile gig isn't the worst setup either. I just don't like the idea of being tied down to one particular area or patient base.

 

[deleted480308]

So, this is a frustration. I see these too-good-to-be-true "offers" floating, but in my area of the southeast my peers are graduating into outpt only jobs starting at 200k min with signing bonus, relocation, incentives and loan repayment (within my own organization), or hospitalist positions at 300k but no loan repayment (understandable at that price).
But I'm not from here, so I want to go home, and have had lowish offers in the relatively more expensive PNW for $162 (!!!) to 180k without any of the other perks. I am limited to NHSC-approved sites because of a loan repayment obligation, so that's a bit more of a challenge. But I interviewed for a potentially awesome job in NE Washington advertised at a base of 200k, but the actual amount "available" is far less (40k less). We are negotiating but geez, really? Is this what I should be expecting if I want to go home?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nhsc simply won't pay the same. That's one of the reasons for the loan forgiveness

 

[cabinbuilder]

Well, this is unwelcome news. Up until now, I've had this no-way-I-can-lose mentality in medical school since my goal is to just work EM locums and I can do that either as an FM or EM doc. I didn't really care if I was EM boarded, but if the pay's not the same then I guess I really can lose out. Although working 4 days a week (cash only) and moonlighting in the ED when I find a worthwhile gig isn't the worst setup either. I just don't like the idea of being tied down to one particular area or patient base.

Don't get me wrong, you can work in the ER as an FM doc (I did it for 4 years). However, there is no way that you as an FM doc will have the same amount of trauma training as an EM doc. The ER's are getting away from having FP's running solo in certain locations (I found this true in Nevada) where admin wants an ER doc running the ER, the FP is the extra help, not the solo provider. The same was when I worked in a large (45 bed) ER in Texas, the FP's did the "step-down" section, but never the "big rooms" where traumas and the super sick patients were placed. If you work ER you will have to have PALS, ATLS, ACLS as a minimum. You need to know that. You will never make the same as an ER doc as an FP - isn't gonna happen. The training just isn't the same. You can make good money but not as much as them. Sorry to burst your bubble.

You will actually make more as a hospitalist at $165/hr doing locums vs ER locums that runs $115/hr.

 

[primadonna22274]

Nhsc simply won't pay the same. That's one of the reasons for the loan forgiveness

I'm aware there is a difference, but my problem is the $40k disparity between the posted salary and what was offered. That part is NOT OK.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mad Jack]

I'm aware there is a difference, but my problem is the $40k disparity between the posted salary and what was offered. That part is NOT OK.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did it say 200k compensation? Because that's a common one- compensation doesn't equal salary, it's usually about 20-30% more, as it includes benefits.

 

[primadonna22274]

Did it say 200k compensation? Because that's a common one- compensation doesn't equal salary, it's usually about 20-30% more, as it includes benefits.

Nope, it said 200k base pay + benefits and incentives etc.
I've re-read it five times in the past few days.
Still perplexed, and the physician recruiting me is pretty peeved with HR. Still waiting to see how it turns out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zero0]

Don't get me wrong, you can work in the ER as an FM doc (I did it for 4 years). However, there is no way that you as an FM doc will have the same amount of trauma training as an EM doc. The ER's are getting away from having FP's running solo in certain locations (I found this true in Nevada) where admin wants an ER doc running the ER, the FP is the extra help, not the solo provider. The same was when I worked in a large (45 bed) ER in Texas, the FP's did the "step-down" section, but never the "big rooms" where traumas and the super sick patients were placed. If you work ER you will have to have PALS, ATLS, ACLS as a minimum. You need to know that. You will never make the same as an ER doc as an FP - isn't gonna happen. The training just isn't the same. You can make good money but not as much as them. Sorry to burst your bubble.

You will actually make more as a hospitalist at $165/hr doing locums vs ER locums that runs $115/hr.

No harm done, I'd rather learn what the deal is now than later. I guess I can't just say w/e and roll the dice on EM if I wind up being a borderline applicant, then scramble into FM and wind up working in the ED anyway. It's just not the same by any means it seems. I'll have to apply strategically to IM or gas at that point, both of which seem to have a thriving locums market. I'm not a bad student so far by any means, but I like to have a plan B lined up. This field just gets more and more competitive every year.

 

[cabinbuilder]

No harm done, I'd rather learn what the deal is now than later. I guess I can't just say w/e and roll the dice on EM if I wind up being a borderline applicant, then scramble into FM and wind up working in the ED anyway. It's just not the same by any means it seems. I'll have to apply strategically to IM or gas at that point, both of which seem to have a thriving locums market. I'm not a bad student so far by any means, but I like to have a plan B lined up. This field just gets more and more competitive every year.

No issues with the EM/FP/hospitalist locums market either. I still get about 10 jobs a day on my email from locums companies looking for help. You can work as much or as little as you want. Currently I have my permanent job that gives me insurance, etc. that is 10 shifts a month in urgent care and I still keep 2 locums gigs on the side to keep myself entertained and travelled.

 

[moy505]

Just remember that a high initial salary guarantee means that you're going to have to work like a dog to maintain it once the guarantee goes away. If you don't have the volume necessary to do so, there will be little you can do about it.

Hey Blue Dog, what would you say is a good base salary for a new grad working 40hrs/wk out pt ~1hr outside a major metro area in the mid west? Seeing ~25 patients a day, could you give me a reasonable range that one should expect is the position is salary only (no RVUs)?

 

[zero0]

No issues with the EM/FP/hospitalist locums market either. I still get about 10 jobs a day on my email from locums companies looking for help. You can work as much or as little as you want. Currently I have my permanent job that gives me insurance, etc. that is 10 shifts a month in urgent care and I still keep 2 locums gigs on the side to keep myself entertained and travelled.

I guess I'll be ok no matter what then. Like so many of my colleagues, I'm prone to freaking out about nothing every now and again. As long as I can control how much I work, I'll be happy. I just want the option to take 2-3 months off on a whim and go on safari in Australia.