Hey guys, welcome to Doctor’s Diary – this is my first entry, and we’re diving straight into some of the real struggles of being a junior doctor. We’re talking about calling in sick (awkward), negotiating locum rates (because we gotta get paid), and that constant battle with imposter syndrome.
Calling in Sick: More Drama Than It Should Be
Let’s be honest—calling in sick as a doctor is way more stressful than it needs to be. It’s not like a regular job where you just send an email and crawl back into bed. You’re thinking about patients, surgeries getting delayed, and your team picking up the slack. There’s this guilt trip that comes with it, like, “Can I actually call in sick? Should I just push through?”
I’ve been there. One time, I had to cover a clinic last minute when a colleague called in sick, and it was wild. We had to prep about 15 patients for surgery, and if things don’t run smoothly, the whole schedule goes sideways. So yeah, it’s high stakes, but sometimes, you have to prioritise your health—even if it feels like the hospital might fall apart without you (spoiler: it won’t).
Locum Rates: Know Your Worth
Now, this is something every junior doc needs to hear—locum rates are where it’s at. Seriously, if you’re covering extra shifts, especially something outside your usual gig, you better be asking for locum rates. For reference, my regular hourly rate is about $44. But locum rates? We’re talking around $130 an hour!
I know, it sounds mad, but it’s true. The work might not be thrilling—like, you’re probably stuck in an office making phone calls and checking patients’ test results—but for that kind of money, it’s worth it. Just last week, I got paid locum rates for covering a shift, and it made the extra work feel way less painful. Moral of the story? Don’t be afraid to ask for fair pay. You’re putting in the effort, so make sure you’re getting paid properly for it.
Imposter Syndrome: The Never-Ending Struggle
Okay, let’s get real—imposter syndrome is something we all deal with, especially as junior doctors. You go from being a student, where it’s all theoretical, to suddenly having real patients and making decisions that actually affect people’s lives. It’s terrifying, right? Like, you feel like, “Am I even qualified to do this?”
The crazy thing is, just when you think you’ve gotten over it, you move to a new rotation, or a new job, and bam—you’re back at square one. You’re leveling up all the time, but the feeling of being out of your depth never completely goes away. The key is just pushing through, knowing it’s normal, and trusting that you do know more than you think.
I remember finishing med school, and the studying part didn’t bother me much. It was actually stepping into the hospital as a “real” doctor that freaked me out. You learn quickly that there are no multiple-choice answers in real life. It’s all about making decisions with the information you’ve got, even if it feels like a guessing game sometimes.
So yeah, that’s just a little insight into life as a junior doctor. Calling in sick, negotiating locum rates, dealing with imposter syndrome—it’s all part of the journey. If you’re about to start your first year or you’re in the thick of it, just remember: everyone feels this way. You’re not alone.
Get paid what you deserve, don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself, and remember—imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t belong. You’re just levelling up.
Watch the video for a deeper dive:
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