Episode #137: When Answers Aren’t Coming Soon Enough

When you’re burned out and considering leaving clinical medicine, it’s natural to treat your career transition like a project that needs to be completed. After all, who loves a good checklist more than a physician? But the truth of the matter is that resolution of this complex issue doesn’t always come quickly, especially when you’re at the end of your emotional rope. Today’s guest, internal medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Randall, is here to discuss how she got stuck in her career transition process, why finding a new path is more inner journey than outward search for answers, and the rewarding new role she found when she reconnected with her needs.

In this episode we’re talking about:

Why Dr. Randall chose medicine and how her personality type influenced this decision
The progressive burnout Jennifer experienced that finally came to a head
Why Dr. Randall starting seeing a therapist and what she learned from this process
The steps Jennifer took to identify a new career path, including coaching
How Dr. Randall realized she was hitting a wall in her career transition process
The role of mindfulness and personal reconnection in Jennifer’s journey
How Dr. Randall found purpose and fulfillment teaching the next generation of physicians

Thank you for listening!

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Papillion, NE

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Orthopedic Surgeon

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Pathologist

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Colorectal Surgeon

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Emergency Medicine Physician

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Family Physician

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"Heather was my source of hope during a time when I felt stuck and confused. She gave me the permission and confidence to reach higher than I believed I could."

After graduating from residency and starting a family, I lost sight of why I became a physician. I struggled to convince myself to stay in a career that was clearly the wrong fit for me and my family. My anxiety about work was at an all-time high when I reached out to Heather. She provided something that my mentors, friends, and family could not – rather than just offering career advice, she changed the way I think about my life so that I could understand how my career would fit into it. I realized I wasn’t ready to give up on medicine and eventually found a job in academic medicine. I finally feel that excitement for medicine that I used to feel when I was in training. More importantly, I feel like I can be the role model to my young daughter who may one day also face similar challenges between career and family. Thank you, Heather, for all your kindness, support, and skillful coaching! The experience was life-changing!

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Internal Medicine Physician

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Family Medicine

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I had been a practicing Internist for 20 years when I reached a point when I needed to make a serious change in my career path. While I enjoyed seeing patients, I was not satisfied with my life-work balance. My job was taking me away from my family and left me little time and energy to do other things that are important and meaningful to me. I came across Dr. Fork's podcast; The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast, it is such an informative and enjoyable podcast for any physician who wants to do more with their career and life in general. Then I had the pleasure to get career coaching from Heather, it was truly an amazing experience. Heather has broad knowledge of all the different career paths that are available for physicians, she is so insightful and very easy to talk to. She helped me clarify my goals, examine my own mindset and definition of success. Together we developed a clear plan and actionable steps to reach these goals. I eventually made a career transition to a remote non-clinical position that allows me to do meaningful work which aligns with my personal and professional goals and priorities.

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Internal Medicine

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I sought Heather’s guidance after practicing outpatient internal medicine for many years, as it was getting difficult to balance my role as a clinician while meeting my needs and those of my family. After our first consultation, I felt like I was seen and heard for the first time in my career. Working with Heather helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses, fears, and goals, and ultimately guided me to a non-clinical role that better aligned with my needs and aspirations. I am deeply indebted to Heather for the impact she has had on my personal and professional development. She is one of the most influential people in my life and I continue to seek her guidance years after our initial encounter. She once said that “we are happiest and most successful when we are using our skills and abilities at their highest level.” Heather will help you discover your truth. Thank you for your incredible work and friendship!

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Internal Medicine