Moving to a new job in a new city is fraught with challenges, no matter what your profession. But for physicians, it is a common process, particularly post-residency.
Relocation of physicians is a stressful event. In fact, moving is rated as one of the biggest stressors in people’s lives. Hence, there is a great demand for tips for the sake of easy relocation for physicians.
There are many tips to make physician relocation easier. Below are some of them worth trying:
Keep family and spouse in the loop
Even though your satisfaction in your new job is an important factor, it is equally vital that your spouse must feel the same in his/ her new job. Ensure that you discuss things openly with your better half and permit him/ her to express their concerns.
Even if your spouse is a stay-at-home parent, his or her opinion is also equally important. In this case, though the adaptability to a new job may not be a concern, the impact of whether there is a welcoming community matters a lot.
At the same time, vice versa is also true. If there is a welcoming community, but you despise your new job, this arrangement will also not work. So, you must think of solutions that bode well for the complete family.
Accept the pitfalls
Surprising but true- simply accepting that the physician move is going to be a roller coaster ride with highs and lows can take some stress off your back. Instead of fighting against the experience, you can assure yourself that the move is going to be stressful. You will try to be prepared for the worst contingencies, be ready for unexpected events and take things one at a time.
You can also explain such points of view to your children if they are old enough. Mostly, they will have their set of concerns, especially with issues like changing schools. The family must be prepared for easy relocation for physicians.
In the event that you get worried during the move, consult your to-do list. Without stressing about big tasks to be accomplished, you can complete small tasks one by one. By this, you can ease your stress with a sense of accomplishment, however small.
Establish a new support system
It is not often the case that moving involves only stress. In fact, it might feel like an exciting time: moving to a bigger home, a more paying job or the city of your dreams.
But very often, it involves leaving behind a support system and a familiar community. We tend to take such support systems for granted and do not appreciate their impact on our lives fully. But we will feel confused and lost without the latter in our new location. So, it is critical to establish a new support system soon after physician relocation.
Planning early
Plan the move as early as possible, like 2 to 3 months in advance, to avoid stressors. Check with the new hospital about services and deals they offer for relocating physicians. They might coordinate the complete logistics of the move. Put your house on the market or make it ready for rental. Coordinate with utility companies to cancel arrangements with an old home and start catering to a new home. Pack only those things you really need and get rid of discarded items through garage sales and donations. Pack early and use a good labelling system to organize a smooth unpacking. Keep paperwork in handy files and pack absolute essentials on the day of the move to carry along with you.
In sum, these are some tips for a smooth and easy relocation for physicians.
