u/Puzzleheaded_Lion234

A little something different for folks in mid or later career about when to pull trigger and downshift vs keep grinding for cash:

Assuming you are on track to retire without additional savings and have low expenses but you aren’t ready to leave clinical medicine forever:

Job A: full time 180 shifts, 325k, standard 7 on 7 off w 12 hour shifts, hospitalist gig in an academic center with residents. Benefits, etc. some small academic commitments but not bad. Pension at 30% salary if you stay another 15 years.

Job B: 1099 work at the same institution working the same type of shifts but no benefits. Pays 180 per hour. Plenty of shifts available to pick up. No commitment to work more or less but no benefits and no pension.

Assume no other family income and young kids but pretty low expenses that can be covered with only a few shifts per month. Do you stay and keep working for security/pension/legacy to kids/something to do…or free up your time for other non-medical things but drop a guaranteed income source.

Asking for friend: I’m employed in a major city and jobs are pretty competitive here. Nothing available full time right now that doesn’t suck. Im also tired of the current hospital and want to try something else. thinking of taking a few months off to travel and bridging the gap with prn locums or per diem work at the local hospitals. No major non compete issues and willing to commute to surrounding cities. Has anyone ever quit their last job before securing a new one? How did it go? Anything I should consider before quitting?