Quitting a job 4th year to travel/go on away rotations

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I have to agree with MarissaNicole.

Me too. Welcome!

[corn poffi]

Welcome!

Agree with MN and GMW. I would not do it. My SO may go on an international rotation next year, and I will either use vacation days to see him for a week or so or work remotely from his location. If neither of these are possible, I'll stay home and continue as normal.

I would never in a million years quit my job to go with him.

[diggitydot]

If you guys can swing it, I say go for it. I wouldn't do it, but we have other considerations and it wouldn't work for our situation.

[OrionGrad]

I think every relationship is different, and only you and your spouse know if you'll be a help or a hindrance while she's on her aways. We looked at the match process (and life in general) as a team effort, so there really wasn't any questioning whether I'd be going. Just make sure you're 100% clear what you're getting into beforehand. Like everyone has said, she probably won't have much (if any) time to hang out. But, if you plan it right and you're both on the same page, I think having you there to handle the "home" type stuff (laundry, grocery shopping, logistical issues, etc. in a new city) can be a major plus.

[reciprocity]

@SoonerTexan, I am not a big fan of the job I've got right now and I will be a stay at home dad at some point in residency so my career is certainly not our focus. We don't plan on staying in this city for residency, either, so no concerns there either.

yeah, this is basically my situation also (assuming that when you say "am not a big fan of the" you mean "loathe with the white-hot intensity of a thousand desert suns")

[mountainmarmot]

yeah, this is basically my situation also (assuming that when you say "am not a big fan of the" you mean "loathe with the white-hot intensity of a thousand desert suns")

You are absolutely correct. I was being polite! That is definitely a factor here. I have had jobs I loved before and if it was one of those I would think hard about staying.

The idea of trading one year of a teacher's salary to be able to punch out a year early, and to be able to support my wife, spend more time with her and travel internationally is tantalizing.

I hope you find a position you enjoy more if you move for residency...maybe stay at home dad?

[Alacrity]

My wife did a two month rotation in Hawaii.

I told her that I wanted to go with her. She asked; "what if work wont let you?" I explained that wasnt an option.
I can always get another job. Or as I say; "You can always make more of anything but time"

I don't think it endeared me to anyone at work. But we were leaving town at the end of her foirth year anyway.
In interviewing it was naver a negative. I think people will respect you for it.

(your milage may vary)

[Alacrity]

Went back and read some of the responses.
You have to realize that wherever you go it's not a vacation. Your spouse is working.
I drove my wife to work every day and picked her up at the end of the day. I would spend some of my time scouting out locations. Yes, it was often infuriating that she could not join me. But I also made sure that she understood that I would rather be with her, but I understand. You have to listen to your spouses day before you talk about your own.
But looking back two years, I wouldnt trade that time for the world.

Disclaimer 1: We have no kids
Disclaimer 2: We got married just before med school so I am used to doing things on my own.

Not to be redundant, but, "You can make more of anything except time"

[reciprocity]

You are absolutely correct. I was being polite! That is definitely a factor here. I have had jobs I loved before and if it was one of those I would think hard about staying.

The idea of trading one year of a teacher's salary to be able to punch out a year early, and to be able to support my wife, spend more time with her and travel internationally is tantalizing.

I hope you find a position you enjoy more if you move for residency...maybe stay at home dad?

That's certainly a possibility

Last year I had a few months mostly off of work and I really enjoyed playing a support role when my wife started up her clinical rotations. I know for a lot of reasons it's an imperfect analogy (comparing M3 to residency and comparing choosing to stay home while still getting paid to giving up that income stream) but it was a nice interlude (which abruptly ended last week when I got assigned to a case going to trial next month)

[moonlight]

Regarding the international rotations, DH's were so unbelievably easy and light compared to his rotations in the US. He would stay "late" 5pm and attendings didn't understand what he was doing there. AND can anyone say Bank Holidays? Yep, I'd love a Bank Holiday now a days! haha! You would want to time it after interviews or well before interviews start.

To be totally honest all my DH's rotations were away due to the type of school he went to. He was always busy and tired. I'm the type of person that can keep myself entertained and did that while we moved around. We didn't have children at the time and I didn't have a job or career that I cared about or demanded anything of me. We were not dependent on any type of income I could have brought in during that time. Given that, it worked for us.

You sound like such a caring and giving husband. I'm sure it will work out for the best. Good Luck!!!!!

[Urowife]

I didn't go with my DH (then boyfriend) on any of his away rotations. But, I think if you can swing it financially, and you realize that your wife's job/schooling takes precedence over anything else, then go for it! Just be aware that there could be many days where you only see her for a few minutes. Definitely not a vacation.

[mountainmarmot]

Went back and read some of the responses.
"You can make more of anything except time"

That is where I'm leaning. I try not to be too materialistic and I really don't think the money will be a big difference to us in another 10 years, but that year could be really special for us.

That's certainly a possibility

Last year I had a few months mostly off of work and I really enjoyed playing a support role when my wife started up her clinical rotations. I know for a lot of reasons it's an imperfect analogy (comparing M3 to residency and comparing choosing to stay home while still getting paid to giving up that income stream) but it was a nice interlude (which abruptly ended last week when I got assigned to a case going to trial next month)

I think that is a reasonable analogy. I will be home a decent bit this summer when she starts rotations so it will be a little like a trial run for us. Glad you liked it! I enjoy supporting her right now...it would just be very different on an away.

Regarding the international rotations, DH's were so unbelievably easy and light compared to his rotations in the US. He would stay "late" 5pm and attendings didn't understand what he was doing there. AND can anyone say Bank Holidays? Yep, I'd love a Bank Holiday now a days! haha! You would want to time it after interviews or well before interviews start.

To be totally honest all my DH's rotations were away due to the type of school he went to. He was always busy and tired. I'm the type of person that can keep myself entertained and did that while we moved around. We didn't have children at the time and I didn't have a job or career that I cared about or demanded anything of me. We were not dependent on any type of income I could have brought in during that time. Given that, it worked for us.

You sound like such a caring and giving husband. I'm sure it will work out for the best. Good Luck!!!!!

She is interested in urology which has an early match so it would be easy to take her international rotations and vacation months in January-April. I told her what you said about international rotations being lax, and she said European residents can only work 48 hours per week! Thanks for the kind words

I didn't go with my DH (then boyfriend) on any of his away rotations. But, I think if you can swing it financially, and you realize that your wife's job/schooling takes precedence over anything else, then go for it! Just be aware that there could be many days where you only see her for a few minutes. Definitely not a vacation.

Thanks for the input. I think we can swing it financially and I will have to continually remind myself not to guilt her for not spending time with me. I can view it as a vacation for myself, just not for her!

[BonBon]

I say go for it, especially because you're not invested in your current position, nor are you staying there for residency. You're already used to not seeing her much. I think it sounds like a lot of fun! Now is the time when you're not tied down with kids, pets, and STUFF.

[mountainmarmot]

I say go for it, especially because you're not invested in your current position, nor are you staying there for residency. You're already used to not seeing her much. I think it sounds like a lot of fun! Now is the time when you're not tied down with kids, pets, and STUFF.

Exactly...we don't have any of the kids/house/pets thing right now and I will be leaving my job anyway, and she will likely never have this kind of time (a couple months at a time) to travel again until she retires. I just have to make myself okay with the idea as it still sounds kinda crazy to me.

[diggitydot]

Exactly...we don't have any of the kids/house/pets thing right now and I will be leaving my job anyway, and she will likely never have this kind of time (a couple months at a time) to travel again until she retires. I just have to make myself okay with the idea as it still sounds kinda crazy to me.

If it works for you two, don't worry about whether it seems crazy. If we were in the same position and didn't have any impediments, I'd be all over it, too. I think it sounds like a pretty amazing opportunity.