Ways to make extra money in residency?

[Dr2Bee]

What are some ways to earn extra money in residency? I have heard of moonlighting, but is it really feasible given the hectic schedule we will have as residents? Maybe it is easier to do more towards later years of residency b/c of less hours?? Any input is appreciated.

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[njbmd]

Moving to the General Residency Forum for replies from Residents. Others may follow and respond there.

 

[radonc]

besides moonlighting, you could always find a job in the hospital cafeteria or mcdonalds...alternatively, im sure you cuold do yard work for your neighbors...

 

[Amgen1]

some residents review medical charts/cases for law firms

 

[colbgw02]

Moonlighting is rarely as easy as it sounds. It's certainly feasible, assuming your program allows it, but be prepared to jump through many a hoop.

You could always sell your plasma or sperm/eggs.

 

[runnerdoc]

Most residencies won't allow moonlighting unless it's during research years and even then you're still bound by the 80 hour limit. And frankly, given how many hours you'll already be working, do you actually want to work more???

 

[Dunce]

What are some ways to earn extra money in residency? I have heard of moonlighting, but is it really feasible given the hectic schedule we will have as residents? Maybe it is easier to do more towards later years of residency b/c of less hours?? Any input is appreciated.

The psych residents I know all moonlight in their 3rd and 4th years. I think they can also moonlight 2nd year, but it is generally not done during the internship.

As a rule, the less demanding fields/residencies have plenty of opportunities for moonlighting.

 

[Miami_med]

Many EM and some FM residencies seem to allow and sometimes even encourage moonlighting.

 

[tibor75]

Who cares what residencies allow and don't allow? As long as you do it outside of their hospital system, they'll never find out.

 

[tibor75]

Most residencies won't allow moonlighting unless it's during research years and even then you're still bound by the 80 hour limit. And frankly, given how many hours you'll already be working, do you actually want to work more???

yeah, because clearly a resident salary is able to support a child and/or spouse. 😕

 

[TxMed]

well...let's make a list. first, i assume this would have to be work that you could fit in during your free time (this knocks out alot of jobs that require regular hours)...so...here we go!

1. exotic dancer: can basically work anytime and make good money
2. professional football player: surely you can spare a few hours on sunday afternoon?
3. club DJ: there will be always be time to pick up some scrilla while bringing the beats
4. tutor: you must be an expert on something
5. professional blogger: start your own site and have people pay you to advertise
6. photographer: sell the pics (especially if paris hilton happens to "stumble" into your hospital)
7. workin' the streets: kind of like #1, but a bit more involved
8. anyone else feel free to continue this helpful list...


-tm

 

[deleted109597]

Who cares what residencies allow and don't allow? As long as you do it outside of their hospital system, they'll never find out.

Bull, they can and often do find out, and then they void your contract.

 

[deleted109597]

yeah, because clearly a resident salary is able to support a child and/or spouse. 😕

Spouse could potentially support his or herself. And yes, $40K a year can support a family, if you don't live lavishly. Remember, a fairly large proportion of the population lives on this.

 

[DrMom]

yeah, because clearly a resident salary is able to support a child and/or spouse. 😕

Depends on where & how you live.
My family lives off of my intern salary & I send my kiddo to a private school (which costs more than 10% of my gross income).

 

[Midwest Medic]

I was able to teach ACLS starting my intern year. My second year we also did physicals for an insurance firm. Both paid pretty well and I was able to do it whenever I wanted.

 

[lowbudget]

well...let's make a list. first, i assume this would have to be work that you could fit in during your free time (this knocks out alot of jobs that require regular hours)...so...here we go!

1. exotic dancer: can basically work anytime and make good money
2. professional football player: surely you can spare a few hours on sunday afternoon?
3. club DJ: there will be always be time to pick up some scrilla while bringing the beats
4. tutor: you must be an expert on something
5. professional blogger: start your own site and have people pay you to advertise
6. photographer: sell the pics (especially if paris hilton happens to "stumble" into your hospital)
7. workin' the streets: kind of like #1, but a bit more involved
8. anyone else feel free to continue this helpful list...


-tm

Since you're up early anyways... paper route.

 

[Apollyon]

Since you're up early anyways... paper route.

And Dad can drive you if it's really bad weather!

 

[TxMed]

Since you're up early anyways... paper route.

this is the kind of original thinking i'm talking about. good job, LB!

-tm


...i can hear the change in my pocket right now

 

[Miami_med]

Spouse could potentially support his or herself. And yes, $40K a year can support a family, if you don't live lavishly. Remember, a fairly large proportion of the population lives on this.

My family currently lives on less than this in a high cost metro.

 

[Long Dong]

If after internship you get your license, could you pay for some limited liability and do say botox or fillers at med spas?

 

[colbgw02]

but it is generally not done during the internship.

and by generally, you mean never

 

[Winged Scapula]

Who cares what residencies allow and don't allow? As long as you do it outside of their hospital system, they'll never find out.

Sorry, speaking from personal experience, they CAN find out. People always talk (although I never did find out who squealed on me). Fortunately, I wasn't punished for it.

 

[Doowai]

Spouse could potentially support his or herself. And yes, $40K a year can support a family, if you don't live lavishly. Remember, a fairly large proportion of the population lives on this.

For those who go on to finish residency and become fully licensed MD's, and then to begin a fairly privileged life its important to remember this sort of thinking. Its great to provide as much comfort and advantage to your children, but at the same time not let them develop the young Gautama Buddha/Paris Hilton outlook on life. I think its safe to conclude Tibor75 was lucky enough to come from privilege, and has a hard time understanding how people might live on $40K year. It is a forwarning that your children too can grow up out of touch if you allow it, once you are making $200K + a year. Back before I returned to medical school, when I made good money I wanted to provide but not spoil my children. No problem with providing as much headstart and advantage as possible for your children, but at the same time somehow provide them a dose of reality.

My favorite right now is teaching 7 hour seminars on nutrition for a local massage school in my free time- pays $40 per hour. I am not in residency yet, but as I am waiting it adds a little money.

 

[LADoc00]

dont know if anyone mentioned but in big urban areas (well maybe not Salt Lake City), pole dancing would be a possibility if you are female, in good shape etc.

Kinda work your own hours, majority non-taxed tips, meet biz types/contacts. Might be a let down to finish training tho and realize you are making less than half that as a primary doc...

 

[werewethere]

dont know if anyone mentioned but in big urban areas (well maybe not Salt Lake City), pole dancing would be a possibility if you are female, in good shape etc.

Kinda work your own hours, majority non-taxed tips, meet biz types/contacts. Might be a let down to finish training tho and realize you are making less than half that as a primary doc...

Are your speaking from personal experience?

 

[IFNgamma]

dont know if anyone mentioned but in big urban areas (well maybe not Salt Lake City), pole dancing would be a possibility if you are female, in good shape etc.

Kinda work your own hours, majority non-taxed tips, meet biz types/contacts. Might be a let down to finish training tho and realize you are making less than half that as a primary doc...

dude, that's a great idea. I would do it if I was female, haha. But it's very possible you could meet your patients there, now that would be akward.

 

[plastikosmd]

"Who cares what residencies allow and don't allow? As long as you do it outside of their hospital system, they'll never find out"

make sure to check your malpractice. you may not be covered when working outside of your training. the institutional resident insurance is usually pretty specific (to that institution and in the course of "training" not making money on the side.) where you are moonlighting...may cover you, but for example no "tail" insurance will be covered. make sure to read the fine print.

 

[meehawl]

Spouse could potentially support his or herself. And yes, $40K a year can support a family, if you don't live lavishly. Remember, a fairly large proportion of the population lives on this.

Median household income in the US is $46,000. Most households, however, aren't paying off med school loans.

 

[kylek044]

What are some ways to earn extra money in residency? I have heard of moonlighting, but is it really feasible given the hectic schedule we will have as residents? Maybe it is easier to do more towards later years of residency b/c of less hours?? Any input is appreciated.

A friend of mine took an EMT class (three months) and was getting paid to ride on the ambulance for the hospital that he did his residency at. They gave preference to him because he was already employed by the hospital.

 

[DrMom]

Median household income in the US is $46,000. Most households, however, aren't paying off med school loans.

Residents aren't paying off med school loans, either.

 

[circumspect]

well...let's make a list. first, i assume this would have to be work that you could fit in during your free time (this knocks out alot of jobs that require regular hours)...so...here we go!

1. exotic dancer: can basically work anytime and make good money

I'm curious what a medschool or hospital's policies on this would be? 'Cause on American Idol, Frenchie got disqualified for doing porn. ... Is it the same for residents?

 

[sophiejane]

I'm curious what a medschool or hospital's policies on this would be? 'Cause on American Idol, Frenchie got disqualified for doing porn. ... Is it the same for residents?

You could always sell crack on the street corner, to your patients.

 

[circumspect]

You could always sell crack on the street corner, to your patients.

The thing is that I would rather sex them up.

 

[BlackSails]

You can steal medical supplies and sell them.

 

[johnstoner]

getting money off a blog...not working for me...so far i've made a negative 70 dollars for about 100 hours of work...but its great to have a new hobby that doesn't cost much.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Residents aren't paying off med school loans, either.

Not entirely true, speaking as someone who didn't qualify for hardship deferment. I guess I only have to pay the interest during my forbearance. 🙄

 

[DrMom]

Not entirely true, speaking as someone who didn't qualify for hardship deferment. I guess I only have to pay the interest during my forbearance. 🙄

well, a caveat is called for: residents generally aren't paying back med school loans

I personally don't know any residents who didn't qualify for deferment...I guess we all borrowed too much 😉

 

[sophiejane]

The thing is that I would rather sex them up.

Right. Tough call. I totally see your point. Well, either way, there's probably a little extra cash in for you.

And WAY more fun that picking up ER shifts. That's a no-brainer.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

well, a caveat is called for: residents generally aren't paying back med school loans

I personally don't know any residents who didn't qualify for deferment...I guess we all borrowed too much 😉

Probably less of the fact that you borrowed more than me, and more of the fact that the program I will be starting at is providing us with a $10k/yr housing subsidy due to high cost of living, bringing my R1 salary to $54k. I missed a hardship deferment by $100/mo. Almost all of the people who graduated with me qualified for hardship deferment.

 

[DrMom]

That's painful, Darkside.

 

[tibor75]

Bull, they can and often do find out, and then they void your contract.

But they won't. You are much too valuable for a residency program.

 

[Winged Scapula]

But they won't. You are much too valuable for a residency program.

I agree. I was found out but received no more than a stern warning not to do it again.

If a program fires you for moonlighting, its likely they were using that as an excuse or else the program is so competitive that they've got replacements breaking down the door.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I buy/sale/repair wrecked cars and RVs all though medical school and hope to do so somewhat during residency.

It doesnt hurt that my dad is a car dealer so it makes it a bit easier for me to do... (I dont have to have my own license and such)....but that would not be that hard for someone to obtain. There is even some money to be made just watching the want ads and buying then spoofing up used cars. I also have bought/seold elctronic type stuff and resale on eBay or want ads.... Its not much, but it helps.

As far as moonlighting... I think anyone is crazy to do that against their PDs will. If your program isnt OK with it, dont do it! As mentioned, MOST FM and EM programs are fine with moonlighting and many actually encourage it. Part of the reason many other fields are against is is because of hours. FM and EM work fewer hours overall when compared to many others so a resident is less likely to be overworked...