While our interests may have shifted since we began our pre-med courses, there was a kernel of truth to whatever big picture goal existed for us then.
So, while I’m hardly the expert on this, I thought I would share some of the lessons I learned when I quit. I’ve learned there’s value in walking away and there’s even more value in doing it well. I don’t think we’ve ever been taught to quit at all. For me, however, it was the right move, a way for me to take time to reevaluate what I wanted and where I wanted to go.Īs new physicians, I don’t think we’ve ever been taught how to quit purposefully and gracefully. I recognize that not everyone can take this chance. Quitting was scary enough ― to quit without a plan felt reckless. I also needed time to figure it out, so I took a leap of faith and left. After much agonizing, I realized I just needed to find something else.
While I valued my colleagues, my patients and the work we did together at the FQHC, I wanted more growth than my job could offer.Īt first, I tried to find ways to stay by changing hours, taking on grant projects and diversifying activities outside of work. The pandemic forced me to reevaluate my priorities and the type of growth I wanted in clinical and nonclinical work.
