As a parent, you have devoted a significant portion of your life to raising your children. From rocking them to sleep, to first days of school, heartbreaks, and high school graduations, your child has finally taken steps to leave the nest and begin a life of his or her own. You did it! Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Without soccer practices, school projects, play dates, or bake sales to prepare for, you now have time to refocus some of your energy on yourself. The house may be empty and this could result in a few emotional moments of nostalgia, but it is also important to realize that this is your time to re-tap into passions you may have put on hold to raise your children, and to celebrate your new life as an empty nester*.
Perhaps this means focusing more on your career. “In a two-parent household, often one parent will scale back in his or her career in order to be home or to work part-time so as to be more available for the kids.” As stated in a step-by-step guide on how to handle being an empty nester. “Now that the kids have fled the household, you might be keen to turn your focus back to furthering your career…” While difficult to do with children and all of their accessories in tow, you also now have the freedom to travel.
As Niki Gill states, “whether the idea of an empty nest terrifies you, saddens you, or excites you, getting time away from home could just be the remedy for whatever ails you.”
Travel gives you the chance to sharpen your mind, experience new places and people, and return home renewed and with a new perspective on life. A locum tenens position could be the perfect opportunity to integrate a new career focus with an ability to travel the country. In response to the emerging healthcare provider shortage in the United States, there is an increased demand in healthcare facilities for physicians, NPs, and PAs. Providers are capable of controlling when, where, and how they want to work. Barton Associates works hard to provide malpractice coverage, credentialing services, travel, and accommodations, so all you have to worry about is how you will experience your new surroundings.
For more information on locum tenens opportunities, please visit BartonAssociates.com.
*If you are an “empty nester” and your children have returned home for any number of reasons, locum tenens can also offer you the chance to get out of the house and spend time by yourself or with your spouse in a new place.
