There are countless reasons why a surgeon may want to extend their career beyond the “standard” retirement age. Whether it is for financial reasons or simply because you love what you do, there are some professional and personal adaptations to consider that will help extend your surgical career. At NexGen Surgical, we offer solutions to surgeons who need a retirement roadmap and allow them to enjoy the quality of life they deserve as well-seasoned surgeons.
Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Healthcare
What worked 20 years ago is no longer the standard of care, and the same expiration applies to knowledge. Surgeons in the later parts of their careers must remain curious and committed to advancing themselves—there is always much to explore in medicine. Reignite your passion by learning about new technology or a challenging new topic. Additionally, networking with like-minded individuals is an important part of adapting to changes in healthcare. Interpersonal connections with other surgeons in your season of life will lend emotional support and create a community of care.
For those looking to recharge or reinvent their career, use this framework to determine what you are looking for and how to build a road map to get there:
Determine Your Goals
Are you looking to fully retire or just slow down in your practice? Do you want to relocate, and in what time frame? These are important questions to ask yourself, and your answers will determine the types of transitions you will need to make. We often meet surgeons who want to slow down in their practice but are hesitant to take pay cuts. NexGen offers positions that offer these perks without needing to relocate permanently. Enjoying a slower-paced practice allows a surgeon to provide safe, quality care while also participating in retirement hobbies, travel and leisure.
Diagnose Problems in Achieving Your Goals
Many surgeons delay retirement because of financial insecurity, lack of other interests or a fear of change in their personal lives and identity. Additionally, nearly twenty percent of surgeons in the U.S. think they may need to retire early due to physical problems. Seemingly impossibly logistical barriers can contribute to perceived deferrals and delays, making it difficult to develop and negotiate a satisfactory slow-down plan. Whatever your logistical barriers are, NexGen can likely help you. Our passion is supporting surgeons to extend their careers in ways that provide security and happiness.
Design Your Retirement
Once you understand where you want to go and the hurdles of getting there, it is time to develop your game plan to achieve your goals on your timeline. Plan the lifestyle you want—one that maintains interests outside of surgery—to mitigate a sense of lost purpose. Your retirement plan should allow for the gradual reduction of surgical patient care to ease the transition into retirement. Many surgeons have reported that they do not make retirement plans that they consider to be a satisfying alternative to operating. Avoid this pitfall by designing a retirement you know you will love and find fulfilling.
Make Your Retirement Happen
Connect with recruiters, coaches and other surgeons to learn more about your options and find opportunities to make your retirement transition easier. NexGen Surgical can be an important part of your transition by extending your career in a way that allows for stepping back and slowing down without retiring completely, promoting a better work-life balance. As a NexGen surgeon, you:
- Work two weeks out of the month while enjoying no call on your time off
- Do not have to live in the area where you work
- Have an opportunity built around your desires and requirements
- Earn competitive compensation.
Take the first steps toward extending your surgical career and planning your retirement by calling NexGen Surgical today at 844.592.0802.
