Moonlighting is working another job outside your main source of income. It’s common in the medical field, allowing physicians and residents to make extra money and experience other work environments while allowing care facilities the chance to supplement staff and see more patients. Medical moonlighting can be a great opportunity for residents who are looking for supplemental income and additional learning experiences. Understand the pros and cons, so you can decide if moonlighting is right for you.
Pro: Get Additional Experience
Physicians at every level of their careers engage in medical moonlighting. When you practice medicine somewhere outside your current job or specialty, you gain experience that you otherwise might have missed out on. Moonlighting can help you keep your skills fresh, can give you an idea of completely different job environments, and can teach you things you might not learn in your residency program. Don’t forget that you’ll meet new medical professionals who can become part of your network.
Con: Sacrifice Free Time
The life of a resident isn’t easy, and moonlighting requires you to give up your already limited free time that you might otherwise spend with family, on hobbies, or resting. Some residents might be tempted to take on a lot of moonlighting work, but that can interfere with research opportunities and other events in your residency program. The best way for a resident to approach this potential pitfall is to set a limit on the number of moonlighting shifts per month, say one to three, while still staying within bounds of the 80-hour workweek limit. That ensures balance, while still giving you the benefits of moonlighting.
Pro: Make Extra Money
Medical school is not cheap, and when you’re a resident, you aren’t yet making the salary that you will as an attending. A major reason residents engage in moonlighting is to help pay down those school loans. Moonlighting can provide financial assistance with other types of debt, too, like with your house or car. It can also be a great way to earn some extra cash to help support your family. While it might be tempting to spend the extra cash on something fun, the most financially wise decision is to pay down debt or save it.
Con: Finding Jobs as a Resident Can Be Complicated
First, your residency program needs to allow residents to moonlight. Some programs don’t, so check before you look for any jobs. Some jobs require board-certified or licensed physicians. Additionally, check on the malpractice insurance offered by any potential jobs before you accept. Malpractice is a real concern for residents and understanding malpractice insurance helps find the right moonlighting situation. As long as you have the right information, these complications shouldn’t prevent you from moonlighting.
Does moonlighting sound like something you’d like to do? You can use moonlighting to try out different work environments and to let a few employers see what employing you would be like. While this type of work isn’t right for every resident, it can be a valuable and enriching experience.
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