Right now, this month, seven years out of residency with a part-time position at the refugee clinic and three and three-quarters children, I have work-life balance. It's somewhat precarious, something that could be toppled by illness or an unbearable colleague or a newborn, but I would rate my current satisfaction with both career and home life as high. Here are some philosophical and practical guidelines that I follow:
1. Accept that you can't have it all - at least not at once - but you can have a life that is rich and full and satisfying. I watch resignedly as other (childless) physicians at my clinic leave to spend months working in Afghanistan and Peru. I'm the mother that arrives late to the preschool Christmas potluck and sets a box of mandarin oranges next to the homemade cheesy noodle casseroles. My son's school uniform pants are embarrassingly short and I couldn't make a recent cross-cultural mental health conference because I'm home with my daughter on Thursdays. But I have kind, secure children and what is arguably the most delightful, rewarding patient population in the city. It's enough.
Continue reading at Mothers in Medicine.
You can't have it all but try to maximize whatever is beneficial for long term health. I guess that would be the good decision.
Posted by: nurofen for children | 16 April 2012 at 06:57 PM
A person interested in a health care career, may have many types of work environments available to him, depending on the specifics of the job he chooses. Health care jobs are available in hospitals, nursing care facilities, doctors' offices, dental offices and clinics. Health care professionals may also work in diagnostic centers, therapist offices and outpatient care centers. Thanks.
Posted by: creativebioscience.com | 07 March 2013 at 11:33 PM