I recently attended the Women in da Vinci Surgery Symposium in June of this year. At the conference, we discussed the importance of women empowering other women especially during times of change and transition. Of particular interest was recognizing when a job no longer brings you joy or aligns with your principles. When that happens, it's time to make a change.
I felt inspired to share my thoughts on changing jobs in healthcare, particularly in the context of empowering women. Regardless of your career or field, transitioning to a new job can be challenging. It’s my hope the tips I provide in this blog will help you navigate transitions with any career or job change.
Challenges in Changing Jobs
At the conference, we discussed the importance of recognizing when a job no longer brings you joy or no longer aligns with your values. When that happens, it’s time for a change. People change jobs for a variety of reasons, including financial considerations, hitting a glass ceiling, or a lack of growth opportunities.
At the conference, it became clear that the challenges of changing jobs are similar across many fields. However, in healthcare, it can be especially challenging looking for a new job discreetly. You don’t want your colleagues to find out prematurely, as it could affect your relationships and work dynamic.
However, I felt there was something missing in the discussion. While, at the end of the day, changing jobs is something you need to do for yourself to realize your goals, find joy and be happy in your career, it can be really hard to do. Reaching the point where you realize a change is needed is hard enough, but actually making that change is even more challenging. The challenges that come can include discreetly searching for new opportunities and also possibly moving your family and leaving a community you love.
When you find and secure a new job, there is also the challenge of adjusting to a whole new work environment including the culture and new colleagues. The same challenges exist in healthcare as in any other field, which is why it’s important to discuss navigating the transition in changing jobs.
Navigating the Transition
Once you’ve decided to change jobs and found a new position, it’s easy to expect that everything will be better right away. While this may be true, it’s also a good idea to take a pause when you arrive at your new position. People need time to get to know you while also building a relationship and developing trust.
If you’re brought in to introduce a new skill, keep in mind that not everyone may be ready for the change. When you begin your new position, take a pause so you can observe, learn, and resist the urge to immediately implement changes. It may not be the best approach and may alienate your new colleagues trying to change things right away.
If you're trying to create change or want to do something different from how your new job operates, it’s essential to approach it gently. Understand your audience and always compliment what they're doing. I mention this because I've made these mistakes before. When I’ve brought new people into our organization, I’ve recognized that they might be going through challenges, and I can sense their frustration.
Conversely, if you are hiring someone new and they appear to be struggling with the new culture, it’s important to offer them grace. Taking the time to talk to them and acknowledging how hard it is to change jobs and adapt to a new environment can make a significant difference. Unfortunately, many of us in the working world often overlook this, failing to recognize how challenging change can be and not extending that grace to one another.
Extending Grace in Times of Change
Lastly, remember that change often comes with small, gradual steps. Embrace every little change or small step you take during this time of transition. These small actions will eventually gain momentum and before you know it, a year will pass, and you can look back on everything you’ve accomplished. Transitioning, whether it's a job in healthcare or any other aspect of life, takes time, so allow yourself that space.
It's equally important to extend grace to yourself and others throughout this journey. Change is challenging for everyone, including you. Adjusting to a new job, navigating new norms, and finding your place within a team requires time and patience.
I hope this blog brought you some new insight, whether you're contemplating changing jobs in healthcare or in another field. My goal is to provide all of you with care beyond the visit by sharing my experiences to support you through your journey.