Nocturnist lifestyle

[varn1x]

So what do you think of a nocturnist lifestyle?

Some programs consider 10 shifts/month FTE. So is it feasible that I do 10 straight shifts then have the rest of the month off?

Is that a job that someone can do for the rest of their lives?

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[chessknt]

Based on my experience (was doing 15/month with extras picked up as moonlighting)--it completely sucked. By the end of 7 or 8 straight I was done but I also had some travel time and a family that missed me. If I was single (or married to someone else on a similar schedule w/o kids), closer, and wanted to accelerate earnings it is absolutely doable but dont expect a great social life (I missed multiple things that happened in the early evenings).

 

[bobsmith]

In general, you're going to have to balance between:
(1) How much you're working (total shifts + length of shifts),
(2) How much flexibility you have,
(3) How busy those shifts are / how much support you have, and
(4) How much you're getting paid.

So if you're working 10 shifts a month, there's probably a "catch" in that there's probably one or more of the following:
(1) long shifts
(2) concentrated on weekends or less flexibility with dates (which can be tough if the rest of your family is on a normal, M-F schedule)
(3) busy with a lot of coverage / admitting / only person in the hospital for codes / RRTs without resident or mid-level support
(4) lower pay

I suppose if there's a job that makes you only do 10 easy shifts where you're sleeping the whole night, lets you choose and move around shifts easily, pays you well and has a bunch of support, then of course that's great...but your job may not be super satisfying and it's only a matter of time before they realize that you're expendable / getting paid too much =)

I worked as a nocturnist before applying for fellowship -- fewer shifts a month than chessknt87 above and I had an overall good situation at work (but also safe to say I likely got paid less), but I would still say it would have been hard for me to do long-term just because it can be tough to not be home at night or for dinner ~half the month if your family is on a normal M-F schedule.

 

[varn1x]

Based on my experience (was doing 15/month with extras picked up as moonlighting)--it completely sucked. By the end of 7 or 8 straight I was done but I also had some travel time and a family that missed me. If I was single (or married to someone else on a similar schedule w/o kids), closer, and wanted to accelerate earnings it is absolutely doable but dont expect a great social life (I missed multiple things that happened in the early evenings).

I get your point. I know it's very difficult to do 15 shifts/month that's why I'm planning to do 10 shifts only and have the rest of the month off for socializing and travelling. Definitely I will miss some events that happen in the 10 nights I'm working, but so will those who take calls during their normal 9-5 schedule.

 

[IM2GI]

You can do it for a year or two if single, but will eventually burn out, and it is miserable if you start a family.

 

[varn1x]

In general, you're going to have to balance between:
(1) How much you're working (total shifts + length of shifts),
(2) How much flexibility you have,
(3) How busy those shifts are / how much support you have, and
(4) How much you're getting paid.

So if you're working 10 shifts a month, there's probably a "catch" in that there's probably one or more of the following:
(1) long shifts
(2) concentrated on weekends or less flexibility with dates (which can be tough if the rest of your family is on a normal, M-F schedule)
(3) busy with a lot of coverage / admitting / only person in the hospital for codes / RRTs without resident or mid-level support
(4) lower pay

I suppose if there's a job that makes you only do 10 easy shifts where you're sleeping the whole night, lets you choose and move around shifts easily, pays you well and has a bunch of support, then of course that's great...but your job may not be super satisfying and it's only a matter of time before they realize that you're expendable / getting paid too much =)

I worked as a nocturnist before applying for fellowship -- fewer shifts a month than chessknt87 above and I had an overall good situation at work (but also safe to say I likely got paid less), but I would still say it would have been hard for me to do long-term just because it can be tough to not be home at night or for dinner ~half the month if your family is on a normal M-F schedule.

Thank you for your comprehensive reply. Very helpful!

 

[varn1x]

You can do it for a year or two if single, but will eventually burn out, and it is miserable if you start a family.

Do you think burning out would be from the very long shifts or from working nights?

Honestly, I think that having 3 weeks off every month is very tempting.

 

[IMreshopeful]

Do you think burning out would be from the very long shifts or from working nights?

Honestly, I think that having 3 weeks off every month is very tempting.

Most nocturnist gigs work you 14 or so shifts per month.

I’ve said this before but the main reason I didn’t be a hospitalist is because I didn’t want to be a highly paid resident for the rest of my life. I certainly can’t imagine night float for the rest of my life being anymore fun. It seems like something more doable when young, single, and with more energy (I do not fit into the former two categories).

 

[IM2GI]

Most nocturnist gigs work you 14 or so shifts per month.

I’ve said this before but the main reason I didn’t be a hospitalist is because I didn’t want to be a highly paid resident for the rest of my life. I certainly can’t imagine night float for the rest of my life being anymore fun. It seems like something more doable when young, single, and with more energy (I do not fit into the former two categories).

Not only that, but you lose a day or two transitioning back and forth. At least me personally, I can't just flip a switch and go from nocturnal to day mode. So not only are you asleep for half the daytime month, but also a zombie for a few days as you flip back and forth.

 

[plica]

I have been working as a Nocturnist for about 2 years. I work about 18.5 shifts a month (my choice). Made 405K last year. I love it.

You focus on admissions, run the occasional code/Rapid response and take floor calls. All the hospital admins are gone. No rounding. No dealing with case managers, no progress notes, no discharge summaries.

I work 7p-7a. Nearly always out of the building by 7a. in bed by 9am. Up at 300p. Gym by 430p. dinner at 530. Off to work by 645p. Rinse and repeat. I do a 7 on/4 off/10 on/ 7 off cycle. Works out to 222 shifts/year.

Got a 100K signing bonus when I started.
Married, no kids. Love it!

 

[DoubleBogey]

I have been working as a Nocturnist for about 2 years. I work about 18.5 shifts a month (my choice). Made 405K last year. I love it.

You focus on admissions, run the occasional code/Rapid response and take floor calls. All the hospital admins are gone. No rounding. No dealing with case managers, no progress notes, no discharge summaries.

I work 7p-7a. Nearly always out of the building by 7a. in bed by 9am. Up at 300p. Gym by 430p. dinner at 530. Off to work by 645p. Rinse and repeat. I do a 7 on/4 off/10 on/ 7 off cycle. Works out to 222 shifts/year.

Got a 100K signing bonus when I started.
Married, no kids. Love it!

that’s why it’s possible - make hay while the sun (or moon) shines - will be tough with the little ones around. Certainly a good gig in the right setting though

 

[varn1x]

I have been working as a Nocturnist for about 2 years. I work about 18.5 shifts a month (my choice). Made 405K last year. I love it.

You focus on admissions, run the occasional code/Rapid response and take floor calls. All the hospital admins are gone. No rounding. No dealing with case managers, no progress notes, no discharge summaries.

I work 7p-7a. Nearly always out of the building by 7a. in bed by 9am. Up at 300p. Gym by 430p. dinner at 530. Off to work by 645p. Rinse and repeat. I do a 7 on/4 off/10 on/ 7 off cycle. Works out to 222 shifts/year.

Got a 100K signing bonus when I started.
Married, no kids. Love it!

Absolutely perfect! Thank you so much!

 

[DrMetal]

I have been working as a Nocturnist for about 2 years. I work about 18.5 shifts a month (my choice). Made 405K last year. I love it.

You focus on admissions, run the occasional code/Rapid response and take floor calls. All the hospital admins are gone. No rounding. No dealing with case managers, no progress notes, no discharge summaries.

I work 7p-7a. Nearly always out of the building by 7a. in bed by 9am. Up at 300p. Gym by 430p. dinner at 530. Off to work by 645p. Rinse and repeat. I do a 7 on/4 off/10 on/ 7 off cycle. Works out to 222 shifts/year.

Got a 100K signing bonus when I started.
Married, no kids. Love it!

Can I ask what part of the country?

 

[plica]

Upper Midwest. Mid-sized hospital with about 300 beds.
Average admits per night are about 6-8 (can be as much as 12-14. In the Summer sometimes 0-2)

My contract is for 7/on 7/off. If I were to do this I would make 330K. I wanted to make more so I chose to do 18.5 shifts per month.
If I would want to have more than 7 days off in a row I will work like 14 days straight and get 2 weeks off. This is tough, but doable.

For me this works because 1) I like nights 2) I have no problem sleeping during the day 3) I seem to be able to get back on a day schedule within 1 day of the end of a work cycle 4) My wife does not work (volunteers a lot) 5) No kids.

 

[Money Moniker]

Upper Midwest. Mid-sized hospital with about 300 beds.
Average admits per night are about 6-8 (can be as much as 12-14. In the Summer sometimes 0-2)

My contract is for 7/on 7/off. If I were to do this I would make 330K. I wanted to make more so I chose to do 18.5 shifts per month.
If I would want to have more than 7 days off in a row I will work like 14 days straight and get 2 weeks off. This is tough, but doable.

For me this works because 1) I like nights 2) I have no problem sleeping during the day 3) I seem to be able to get back on a day schedule within 1 day of the end of a work cycle 4) My wife does not work (volunteers a lot) 5) No kids.

Do you feel like your health is impacted by this schedule at all? I'd gladly work nights in whatever field I'll end up in for the extra money as the family/social considerations are not a factor for me, but the potential long term health consequences are the only concern. Not that there is probably any hard and fast way to measure how your body is coping with it, but I'm curious how you feel about the issue and whether you're keeping track of bloodwork etc.

 

[plica]

Do you feel like your health is impacted by this schedule at all? I'd gladly work nights in whatever field I'll end up in for the extra money as the family/social considerations are not a factor for me, but the potential long term health consequences are the only concern. Not that there is probably any hard and fast way to measure how your body is coping with it, but I'm curious how you feel about the issue and whether you're keeping track of bloodwork etc.

The key for me is to set up an environment in which I can sleep during the day. Heavy curtains, fan/white noise machine. I try to eat "clean" and go to the gym daily. I eat dinner before I go in and limit any snacking at night to a few granola/protein bars. Also I try to stay active at night and will try to walk about 5 miles (12500 steps) during a shift (power walks throughout the hospital, up and down the stairs, keep elevator use to a minimum). So far I feel fine.

 

[Doc_Mcstuffins]

Upper Midwest. Mid-sized hospital with about 300 beds.
Average admits per night are about 6-8 (can be as much as 12-14. In the Summer sometimes 0-2)

My contract is for 7/on 7/off. If I were to do this I would make 330K. I wanted to make more so I chose to do 18.5 shifts per month.
If I would want to have more than 7 days off in a row I will work like 14 days straight and get 2 weeks off. This is tough, but doable.

For me this works because 1) I like nights 2) I have no problem sleeping during the day 3) I seem to be able to get back on a day schedule within 1 day of the end of a work cycle 4) My wife does not work (volunteers a lot) 5) No kids.

I think the number of admissions and pages related to cross covering floor patients plays a significant role in how good a nocturnist position is. At my current small community hospital, average admissions for nocturnist are 11 a night. There is just as even chance of getting 15+ admissions as there are of getting 7 or less admissions. Anything less than 5 is a very good night and pretty rare. Salary also isn’t rvu based so nocturnists don’t get benefit of higher bonuses by admitting higher number of patients. Like any job (hospitalist or not), the details of the job (shift count, number of patients seen, etc) really makes a difference.

 

[DoubleBogey]

I think the number of admissions and pages related to cross covering floor patients plays a significant role in how good a nocturnist position is. At my current small community hospital, average admissions for nocturnist are 11 a night. There is just as even chance of getting 15+ admissions as there are of getting 7 or less admissions. Anything less than 5 is a very good night and pretty rare. Salary also isn’t rvu based so nocturnists don’t get benefit of higher bonuses by admitting higher number of patients. Like any job (hospitalist or not), the details of the job (shift count, number of patients seen, etc) really makes a difference.

Hopefully that’s paying north of 270k - if RVU based it’s around $300k

 

[Doc_Mcstuffins]

Hopefully that’s paying north of 270k - if RVU based it’s around $300k

Sadly no. It pays around 240k and that’s why they can’t seem to keep anyone longer than 1 year in the position. There are some great nocturnist positions out there and there are some not so great positions like this one. Just do your homework and discover the market for your area.

 

[NghtSky04]

Do you think burning out would be from the very long shifts or from working nights?

Honestly, I think that having 3 weeks off every month is very tempting.

Yeah, I'm curious about this too. I was thinking 5 nights on 10 days off would be more sustainable in the long run for someone who is naturally a night owl (as opposed to 7 days on/7 days off during the day). I've also wondered if you worked 0.80 FTE, that may even work even better (since you can just pick up shifts on the side)? Seems like a great lifestyle while still making well into six figures. You also avoid the administrative/social headache that day-time hospitalists deal with.

Obviously, I think kids would be the limiting factor. However, other specialties have it much tougher with call.

 

[HairyNocturnist]

For now the gig is good:
7on/7off for 182 shifts/yr
1600/shift plus rvu bonuses
Southwestern US

Admits/coverage are rough, get like 8-10 admits (Least was 4, most was 20), most of the work is concentrated in the first half of the shift. I usually don’t sleep at work but I can sleep during the day. My soon-to-be fiancé is ok with it for now lol.

 

[NITRAS]

Our Nocturnist work 1 on 2 off. One in three nights they carry the pager, which sucks. Pretty good retention.

 

[vacuumofspam]

I'm doing a 7 on/14 off schedule. Usually about 10-12 admits per night. 1-2 APPs at night to help out. 300k base salary. responsible for codes and procedures though. some nights are pretty rough especially over the winter, averaging 15 per night.
I think it all depends on how well you can flip back to a normal schedule. I don't have any issues going from days to nights so usually can enjoy my time off. I usually don't sleep at night. I don't have any issues with fatigue most of the time. I don't have to deal with any of the administrative stuff the daytime people have so that's a huge plus for me.
I have a good moonlighting gig and a locums gig on the side, both of which are much more chill.

 

[Earl Simmons]

I'm doing a 7 on/14 off schedule. Usually about 10-12 admits per night. 1-2 APPs at night to help out. 300k base salary. responsible for codes and procedures though. some nights are pretty rough especially over the winter, averaging 15 per night.
I think it all depends on how well you can flip back to a normal schedule. I don't have any issues going from days to nights so usually can enjoy my time off. I usually don't sleep at night. I don't have any issues with fatigue most of the time. I don't have to deal with any of the administrative stuff the daytime people have so that's a huge plus for me.
I have a good moonlighting gig and a locums gig on the side, both of which are much more chill.

Aren’t most gigs (even no turning) 7 on 7 off? 7 on 14 off for comp + your locums/moonlighting sounds awesome! Is this the norm or a unique circumstance?


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[gutonc]

Aren’t most gigs (even no turning) 7 on 7 off? 7 on 14 off for comp + your locums/moonlighting sounds awesome! Is this the norm or a unique circumstance?


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There are lots of non-7/7 models out there. Our VA used to (may still, but it's been almost 10 years since I was paying attention) have nocturnist jobs that were 10 nights out of 30 as a FT gig. You could work it anyway you wanted. I had friends who did 5 on, X off, 5 on, 20-X off. Others who worked 10 straight and then had almost 3w off the rest of the month. There was no pay differential (salaried) compared to the day docs who had the usual 7/7 schedule. But you got paid for 3 days you didn't really work.

 

[Earl Simmons]

There are lots of non-7/7 models out there. Our VA used to (may still, but it's been almost 10 years since I was paying attention) have nocturnist jobs that were 10 nights out of 30 as a FT gig. You could work it anyway you wanted. I had friends who did 5 on, X off, 5 on, 20-X off. Others who worked 10 straight and then had almost 3w off the rest of the month. There was no pay differential (salaried) compared to the day docs who had the usual 7/7 schedule. But you got paid for 3 days you didn't really work.

That’s great! In academia, as a hospitalist also you have required admin/other work to do on weeks off? Or could you feasibly do a week of locums after 2 weeks/month of academic hospitalist?


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[W19]

There are lots of non-7/7 models out there. Our VA used to (may still, but it's been almost 10 years since I was paying attention) have nocturnist jobs that were 10 nights out of 30 as a FT gig. You could work it anyway you wanted. I had friends who did 5 on, X off, 5 on, 20-X off. Others who worked 10 straight and then had almost 3w off the rest of the month. There was no pay differential (salaried) compared to the day docs who had the usual 7/7 schedule. But you got paid for 3 days you didn't really work.

What was the salary for that type of gig?

 

[gutonc]

What was the salary for that type of gig?

Slightly higher than the University hospitalists made. No idea of the actual number. It was also >10 years ago, so no clue what it's like now.

The people I know who did/do it were evenly split between taking those 20 days off a month and running with it, and picking up another 3-8 shifts to supplement income.

 

[iforget2]

There are lots of non-7/7 models out there. Our VA used to (may still, but it's been almost 10 years since I was paying attention) have nocturnist jobs that were 10 nights out of 30 as a FT gig. You could work it anyway you wanted. I had friends who did 5 on, X off, 5 on, 20-X off. Others who worked 10 straight and then had almost 3w off the rest of the month. There was no pay differential (salaried) compared to the day docs who had the usual 7/7 schedule. But you got paid for 3 days you didn't really work.

Sorry for the bump, but do you see schedules remaining like this for years to come or has there been a recent push to get rid of such schedules?

 

[gutonc]

Sorry for the bump, but do you see schedules remaining like this for years to come or has there been a recent push to get rid of such schedules?

Which schedules? Again, there are lots of schedule types out there. You can always find something that works for you.

 

[PlutoBoy]

So what do you think of a nocturnist lifestyle?

Some programs consider 10 shifts/month FTE. So is it feasible that I do 10 straight shifts then have the rest of the month off?

Is that a job that someone can do for the rest of their lives?

Beats working days that’s for sure: no administrators, less gossip, no rounding, no politics, no case management, no PT/OT... just medicine the way it was meant to be practiced and occasionally you get to sleep a little.

It’s also the best time to befriend the ER docs. They are a cool bunch.

 

[iforget2]

Which schedules? Again, there are lots of schedule types out there. You can always find something that works for you.

Pretty much anything along the lines of the 7 on/7 off model. It's something that interests me as an M1, but not sure if those models will continue after reading articles such as this: https://www.pm360online.com/time-to-scrap-7-on-7-off-schedule-for-hospitalists/

 

[gutonc]

Pretty much anything along the lines of the 7 on/7 off model. It's something that interests me as an M1, but not sure if those models will continue after reading articles such as this: https://www.pm360online.com/time-to-scrap-7-on-7-off-schedule-for-hospitalists/

Come back at the end of M3 and let us know if you're still planning on IM. We can talk then.

 

[FutureInternist]

My soon-to-be fiancé is ok with it for now lol.

So you havent asked but are confident about the answer? 😉

 

[DoubleBogey]

So you havent asked but are confident about the answer? 😉

She is probably going to be ok with a lot stuff right now, which certainly changes once you have kids

 

[darklabel]

She is probably going to be ok with a lot stuff right now, which certainly changes once you have kids

Sorry for the bump (but didn't want to make a new thread), why are kids an issue? My fiancee is an NP and her working days + me nights can make us a bit of a tag team couple. Plus, I have grat family support who can come over and babysit while I sleep. Is it feasible or is it once you have kids Nocturnist is out?

My goal is being a nocturnist once done residency. I love my overnight shifts, but dread the days during the wards.

 

[IMreshopeful]

Sorry for the bump (but didn't want to make a new thread), why are kids an issue? My fiancee is an NP and her working days + me nights can make us a bit of a tag team couple. Plus, I have grat family support who can come over and babysit while I sleep. Is it feasible or is it once you have kids Nocturnist is out?

My goal is being a nocturnist once done residency. I love my overnight shifts, but dread the days during the wards.

Because once I had kids my first priority was to spend as much time with them as possible. It’s hard to do that when you work all night and come home and sleep all day which basically leaves your spouse to take care of the kids alone for a week..

 

[Nocturnist]

Sorry for the bump (but didn't want to make a new thread), why are kids an issue? My fiancee is an NP and her working days + me nights can make us a bit of a tag team couple. Plus, I have grat family support who can come over and babysit while I sleep. Is it feasible or is it once you have kids Nocturnist is out?

My goal is being a nocturnist once done residency. I love my overnight shifts, but dread the days during the wards.

I dont have kids myself but I've been a nocturnist for 3 years and enjoy the life style tremendously. Many of my colleagues do have kids. The model at my hospital is 10 nights a month which leaves many more days available for your kids than the daytime folks working 15 a month. If your goal is to maximize your income before having kids, it can be quite lucrative. I dont recommend 10 in a row but it is doable. I've done 10 in a row once in order to be able to take a 2 week vacation. 4-6 in a row is the sweet spot for me.

 

[OBdoc]

I dont have kids myself but I've been a nocturnist for 3 years and enjoy the life style tremendously. Many of my colleagues do have kids. The model at my hospital is 10 nights a month which leaves many more days available for your kids than the daytime folks working 15 a month. If your goal is to maximize your income before having kids, it can be quite lucrative. I dont recommend 10 in a row but it is doable. I've done 10 in a row once in order to be able to take a 2 week vacation. 4-6 in a row is the sweet spot for me.

I have heard different things in regards to whether a nocturnist position should have a different RVU bonus plan compared to the day shift. Can you provide some insight on this?

 

[kaycee18]

that’s why it’s possible - make hay while the sun (or moon) shines - will be tough with the little ones around. Certainly a good gig in the right setting though

where did you find this job? I work as a nocturnist but my job sucks. pays 120/hr. 7-11 admission most days. frequent calls from nurses

 

[Nocturnist]

where did you find this job? I work as a nocturnist but my job sucks. pays 120/hr. 7-11 admission most days. frequent calls from nurses

You are a highly educated physician, on top of that you are one of the rare few who can physiologically sustain nights over the long term. There are two ways to make money in this world: to do something others can't do, and do something others don't want to do. Nocturnist combines both. Your job should not suck.

Why are you still working at this place?

 

[Nocturnist]

I have heard different things in regards to whether a nocturnist position should have a different RVU bonus plan compared to the day shift. Can you provide some insight on this?

Highly variable depending on the volume of the hospital and the expectations of your job description. You are likely to make less RVUs per hour than your day colleagues because volumes are less predictable at night. Should it? Ideally, Yes. Realistically, most nocturnist jobs build in the night differential into your monthly shifts and hourly rate, rather than into your bonus. Some nocturnists gigs I've seen don't even offer a productivity bonus. Most offer some minimal amount based on quality measures and productivity, most commonly I've seen it capped to the range of 10-15k yearly. My job does offer an unlimited productivity bonus though does not adjust the target relative to the daytime. I'm one of the most productive admitters, still my bonus amounts to only 5-6% of my salary, nothing to write home about. I would personally evaluate a nocturnist contract by the base salary and wouldn't expect anything beyond that. If you bonus, great, if not no big deal.

 

[kaycee18]

where did you find this job? I work as a nocturnist but my job sucks. pays 120/hr. 7-11 admission most days. frequent calls from nurses

I am currently in the market for a new job. Honestly, the nocturnist job is really not my thing. After experiencing it, I don't think it is worth any amount of money.

 

[Cirrus83]

I am currently in the market for a new job. Honestly, the nocturnist job is really not my thing. After experiencing it, I don't think it is worth any amount of money.

Not every nocturnist job is like the place you worked. Place I work at we average 6 admissions a night and of those usually two are done by residents with us supervising. Then we have mid levels to cover pages from the nurses for our admissions after we’ve tucked them in. Multiple nocturnists so we take turns for rapids/codes. Pay is significantly better than what you’re getting as well (about 25% higher per hour counting our bonuses).

Honestly the only part most people dislike is that we take turns being the HIC at night and since it’s a large high volume facility you’re getting hammer paged for admissions and consults and floor coverage. On a busy night that can actually be much, much, worse than admitting since pages can pile up ten deep and you sit on the phone for twelve hours straight.

Either way your gig is underpaid for the admins you’re doing, even for a desirable metro that’s very low for a nocturnist.

 

[workoutDO]

Just about wrapping up residency. I start a nocturnist position next month. I'll be back in 1 month to tell you all the details and what I think about it.

 

[rokshana]

Just about wrapping up residency. I start a nocturnist position next month. I'll be back in 1 month to tell you all the details and what I think about it.

Yikes! Good luck with that! I do nights now but straight out of residency , that idea was just too scary!

 

[workoutDO]

Thanks, Rokshana. What are your responsibilities and how many admits do you avg per night?

 

[rokshana]

Thanks, Rokshana. What are your responsibilities and how many admits do you avg per night?

Fairly busy community hospital (only hospital in a city of about 100k) and it can be as low as 6 or as high as 16 in a 12 hour shift...
The issue isn’t necessarily the number of admits, though getting used to no cap can be difficult, but,generally, you are the only one in house and you are where the buck stops...if you Re doing floor call and codes as well, it can be overwhelming...
The learning curve of going from 3rd year to attending is pretty steep and I found it helpful in my education to be able to have other hospitalists around when i first started...I didn’t start doing nights until about a year or 2 after having worked as a hospitalist.

And of you are responsible for supervising mid levels at night as well...it’s a lot of work.

 

[workoutDO]

Fairly busy community hospital (only hospital in a city of about 100k) and it can be as low as 6 or as high as 16 in a 12 hour shift...
The issue isn’t necessarily the number of admits, though getting used to no cap can be difficult, but,generally, you are the only one in house and you are where the buck stops...if you Re doing floor call and codes as well, it can be overwhelming...
The learning curve of going from 3rd year to attending is pretty steep and I found it helpful in my education to be able to have other hospitalists around when i first started...I didn’t start doing nights until about a year or 2 after having worked as a hospitalist.

And of you are responsible for supervising mid levels at night as well...it’s a lot of work.

Ah ok. I'm in a metropolitan area with a bazillion hospitals around. I will be working with another nocturnist. My hospital is smallish and they avg less than 6-7 admits per night, if that. It will be a good experience, I feel.

 

[kaycee18]

for anyone looking for a job, are programs asking for references before the interviews? Every program I have interviewed for requested references before I visited. The only problem now is they are still asking to reach my reference for a second time for credentialing and they are requesting a reference from my current hospitalist program director. I am uncomfortable asking for a reference from him given that I am breaking my contract. Any advise on how to proceed? Should I contact the other jobs I had turned down and try to get one of them?