What Advice Do You Havefor New Graduates?

We asked physicians, NPs, and PAs in our network to share their best

tips for new grads.

Here’s what they said

From Dr. Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP

“After residency, I took a year off of work to stay home with my daughter, who was an infant at the time. You can imagine how scared I was the following year when I returned to work. My first job was working as an employee of an older physician. He was very kind and answered any question I had. He was truly a mentor to me and never made me feel bad about my inexperience.

“While he taught me much, the most important thing was to be patient with other doctors. Not everyone has the same degree of knowledge or skills. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and that is OK as long as we know what they are. He taught me that it is better to say ‘I don't know’ than to try to fumble along pretending that I did. And sometimes that is the most important thing we can do as doctors: admitting we don't know everything.”

Read more from Linda: http://www.bartonassociates.com/author/drlindagirgis/

From Dr. Melissa DeCapua, DNP, PMHNP

“I passed the psychiatry board exam and became an official nurse practitioner only weeks before my wedding in October 2012. I had recently graduated from Vanderbilt University’s master of science in nursing program and relocated to Pennsylvania. My first job was in the Pocono Mountains at a small, outpatient mental health clinic. Most of my time focused on seeing patients in 15-minute intervals and managing complex regimens of psychotropic medication.

“Looking back, it was a tough because I was often the only medical provider onsite. For new graduates, I recommend finding a place with at least one seasoned nurse practitioner (NP) to guide you through the ups and downs of your first NP job. Having a strong, energetic mentor early on will set you up for a successful career down the road. Also, don't give up, have fun, and remember how awesome you are!”

Read more from Melissa:http://www.bartonassociates.com/author/mdecapua/

From Sean Conroy, PA-C

“My physician assistant program ended in May, so a majority of my interviews were in the winter, melting into spring. I did not receive my first job offer until about mid-April. I had spent months interviewing in a rural-raised child’s dream land of pastoral Minnesota, Michigan, and North Dakota. These areas are typically begging for any help they can get, but sadly, all the places I interviewed with wanted ‘someone with more experience.’ My mistake was picking the best-of-the-best, cream-of-the-crop, hunters’-paradise areas. As time ran short, I applied to more metropolitan areas and landed an orthopedics job in Kansas City. Iloved my surgery rotations, but after a year of metro living, I decided to try again for a job in a more peaceful, rural setting. My second job search was more successful — I landed a job in a rural area closer to my hometown (and not adjacent to a Great Lake).

“The advice I would give in pursuing that first position is to know what you want and go for it, but to still cast a wide net. The job market is quite competitive for new grads. Also, know that the first job you are able to land might not be your dream job, but it will gain you valuable experience, which will get you one step closer to where you want to be. That first job search can be daunting and discouraging, especially when graduation is creeping up on you. My advice is to keep your head up, be flexible in regard to the positions you are open to, and remember that it may take time gaining experience to land the perfect position.”

Read more from Sean: http://www.bartonassociates.com/author/sconroy/

From Renee Dahring, NP

“I compare getting your first job offer to a marriage proposal: It's exciting and so easy to get caught up by the offer that you forget to ask yourself if it's a good match for you. This is what happened to me.

“When I graduated, NP jobs were scarce and so I began applying to positions that were not very high on my desirability list. Not only was I miserable, but I also discovered it was a very troubled workplace. The moral of the story is, don't pursue a job you are not passionate about just because the job is available. Research all potential employers thoroughly — a task that is much easier now thanks to the internet and social media. Again, much like a marriage, terminating a failing relationship can be difficult and exhausting!”

Read more from Renee:http://www.bartonassociates.com/author/rdahring/

Consider Locum Tenens

According to Dr. Val Jones, locum tenens is an excellent first choice after residency training:

“When doctors complete their residency training, they are under a lot of pressure to land their first ‘real job’ quickly. Student loan deferments end shortly after training, and whopping debt faces many of them.

But choosing a job that is a good long-term fit can be difficult, and gaining a broader exposure to the wide variety of options is key to success. That’s why ‘try before you buy’ can be an excellent strategy for young physicians.”

Read the full article here:http://www.bartonassociates.com/2016/05/05/why-locum-tenens-is-a-great-first-choice-after-residency-training/

What Do You Think?

http://www.bartonassociates.com/locum-tenens-jobs/

Tell us your best advice for new grads in the comments below, then check out our current locum tenens job openings at