The transition was rapid. Finish work in the country one week. Start work in the city the next week. Move us, and our belongings, over the weekend in between, with two and a half hours road travel between.
In the city, I was given the job I applied for. I deliberately chose the job rotation from the bottom rung of desirability in a peripheral suburban hospital.
So what was the attraction, you might ask. Well, the job included anaesthetics, a General Practice attachment outside the hospital, Emergency Medicine (of which I was becoming fond of) and “relieving” (i.e. cover for the holidays of the others working in the hospital). Nothing glamorous, but the following year in that hospital offered obstetrics and paediatrics training. There was no way I was going to be able to get the high-demand job of obstetrics/paediatrics as an unknown from outside the hospital and there was no way I was going to be given glowing references from my previous employ. So the only way in to the next year’s job was to be sure those who made the decisions knew me in a favourable light.
A desire to prepare myself fully as possible for family medicine, possibly in a rural environment lead me to consider the combination of the two years’ experience a good mix and a good opportunity. It was in this new place I discovered the value of mentorship. I also continued to learn, make mistakes and develop lasting relationships with colleagues. I will take you along for the ride next time we speak.
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