Feeling the Burn(out)?

As a healthcare worker, you know the drill: long hours, high-stakes decisions, and emotional strain are just a part of the job. But what if there’s a way to reclaim your life and find a balance that keeps you healthy and happy? That’s where non-clinical roles come in. Let’s dive into how these roles can be a game-changer for your quality of life.

Predictable Schedules

One of the best parts of my first non-clinical job was the predictability. I traveled Monday through Thursday, and Fridays were reserved for team meetings and catching up on paperwork. I like to stay on top of my paperwork though, so that left my Friday’s mostly free. After years of working first primarily night shifts, then Monday to Friday in a clinic, I was floored to find I had free time on Fridays! Non-clinical roles often offer standard business hours, making it easier to plan personal activities, time with loved ones, and self-care routines. When I worked in pharmaceuticals, I lost my Friday free day, but still had tons of flexibility. When I had my first doctor’s appointment, do you know what my manager told me?  “Don’t care, take care of yourself, don’t use your PTO or sick time for that.” Knowing when your workday ends but still having flexibility to take care of yourself and your family can significantly reduce stress and create a healthier work-life balance.

Easier on Your Body

Remember the countless times you’ve heard of colleagues hurting their backs during patient transfers? Non-clinical roles, like healthcare administration, medical writing, or informatics, usually mean more time at a desk and fewer physically demanding tasks. This shift can reduce physical exhaustion and give you more energy for personal pursuits.

In my clinical days, I would come home with aching feet and a sore back.  There were whole weekends I could barely talk myself into getting off the couch. But in my non-clinical role, I can engage in more physical activities that I enjoy, like working out and yoga, because I’m not physically drained by the end of the workday, and I want to spend more time socializing with my friends and family.

Improved Emotional and Mental Health

The emotional demands of clinical roles can also take a toll on mental health. Dealing with patients’ suffering, making critical decisions, and coping with the pressures of a fast-paced environment can lead to significant emotional exhaustion. I worked in oncology for 13 years; I lost count of the number of times I cried over losing one of my patients. After a while you become numb. Numbness results in apathy and loss of empathy, which can be just as damaging to your patients as it is to you. Non-clinical roles often involve less direct interaction with patients, which can alleviate some of the emotional burden. This can result in a more relaxed work atmosphere and improved mental well-being. I lost count of the number of times people told me how much more relaxed and happy I looked after leaving the bedside.

Financial Perks

Financial stability is another important factor in achieving a good work-life balance. Many non-clinical roles in healthcare offer competitive salaries and benefits. Positions in healthcare management, consulting, or pharmaceutical companies, for example, can provide financial rewards that are comparable to, or even exceed, those in clinical roles. This financial security allows healthcare professionals to focus on enjoying their personal lives without the added stress of financial concerns. My last role in pharmaceuticals was almost double what my last clinical role paid me. Granted, that clinical role was in pre-Covid times (2018), but I could never have expected what I made last year while still working in a hospital.

If you want another example, I recently wrote a post about my friend Josh. He told us that when he switched from mixing chemotherapy to a medical device role, his pay immediately doubled, and now after six years has almost tripled. He was able to pay off all of his debts and buy a home.

Professional Growth