In this post, I share how locum tenens helped me overcome burnout and allowed me to prioritize family and financial freedom.
A few years ago, I was a full-time urologic surgeon living in Southern California. I was practicing with Kaiser Permanente, earning a great salary, and—on the surface—had “made it.”
But the reality didn’t feel nearly as good as it looked on paper.
My days started before my kids were awake, and my evenings often ended as they were getting ready for bed. And in between? I was bogged down with a mountain of time-consuming administrative tasks that chipped away at the satisfaction I used to feel from my work—things like managing a constant stream of patient portal messages and reviewing the significance of the mountain of lab and radiology results that never grew smaller.
Something had to change.
Burnout: The Spark That Lit the Fire
Like many physicians, I had dedicated over a decade of my life towards medical training. I believed that once I became an attending, I’d finally breathe easy. But instead, I found burnout.
I was practicing in a demanding field, juggling long hours, call responsibilities, and the creeping realization that our healthcare system was changing—and not necessarily for the better. At the same time, I had started exploring investing during my hour-long commute by devouring personal finance podcasts.
It was during those long drives that I discovered real estate investing. And it wasn’t just the potential for great financial returns that interested me—it was the promise of financial freedom.
I started to build my real estate portfolio.
A U-Haul, a Fresh Start, and a New Plan
Coincidentally—or maybe fatefully—my wife was recruited to a great job in Memphis, Tennessee. We made the move, and with that transition came an opportunity to hit reset. I talked to the local private practices and even the university hospital, but I quickly discovered that the kind of flexibility I wanted didn’t exist in the traditional model.
So I took a leap.
I said goodbye to full-time employment and hello to locum tenens.
What Is Locum Tenens, and Why Was It the Right Fit?
If you’re unfamiliar, locum tenens is a Latin term that means “to hold the place.” In medicine, it refers to physicians who temporarily fill staffing gaps at hospitals or practices in need.
It was exactly what I was looking for.
Now, I work just one week a month as a locum tenens urologist. The rest of the time? I focus on running my real estate fund, Cereus Real Estate, optimizing my real estate portfolio, continuing my activity on social media, and—most importantly—being present for my family.
Locums tenens gave me the opportunity to restructure my life to prioritize what matters to me. I attend my kids’ school events, go to their soccer games, and am overall much more involved in their lives.
The Logistics: From Licensing to Credentialing
The transition wasn’t exactly frictionless. Getting set up with my first locum tenens job involved 50–60 hours of paperwork, credentialing, and medical licensing. But once I had gone through the process the first time—and especially after I joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact—it got much easier.
I now keep my professional documents organized and updated so I can jump on new opportunities quickly. Getting the paperwork in order was a big time investment, but it was well worth it in the long run.
The Workload: Yes, It Can Be Busy
The locum assignments themselves? They can be intense.
For instance, a typical day during my Ohio assignment involved:
- 6 a.m. – Phone consults.
- 7 a.m. – Onsite seeing the inpatients, seeing the consults, and dealing with any emergencies.
- 12 p.m. – Add on surgeries
- 5 p.m. – On call for the rest of the evening.
- 8 p.m. – called back to the hospital for an emergency hematuria consult
- Do it all over again the next day.
But here’s the difference: I know my locum assignment is temporary. I’m there for a week, and then I go home.
During that week, I give it my all—because I want to be helpful, because the hospital needs it, and because I’m well compensated for my work. But I also know that when I get on that plane to head home, I’m back in control of my time.
Why Locum Tenens Isn’t for Everyone (But It Could Be for You)
Locum tenens comes with pros and cons. It’s not a permanent gig. My Ohio assignment ended after a year and a half because the hospital restaffed. Now I’m heading to Illinois for a new opportunity.
If you’re someone who craves long-term stability in one location, this might not be for you.
But if you’re:
- Burned out from the traditional system
- Looking for flexibility
- Willing to deal with the switching costs
- Comfortable navigating a bit of uncertainty
Then locum tenens can be a game-changer.
Real Estate: The Parallel Path to Financial Independence
All of this—time freedom, flexibility, and the ability to choose how I want to practice medicine—was made possible because I made another key decision early on: I started investing in real estate.
I began with a single-family rental in Birmingham which then grew into a portfolio of almost 30 units. Around the start of this all, I had also launched The Darwinian Doctor to share my journey and help other professionals find financial freedom.
Eventually, I realized most of my readers didn’t have the time to build their own portfolios from scratch. That’s why I launched Cereus Real Estate, a real estate fund that allows busy professionals to passively invest in real estate and grow wealth without the day-to-day headaches that being a landlord entails.
I also host monthly “Cereus Happy Hours” to grow our investor community and help other physicians build a path towards financial freedom.
The True Power of Autonomy
Today, I still practice medicine—but I do it on my terms. And that has completely transformed how I experience the practice of medicine.
The satisfaction I get from helping patients has returned, and I’ve shed much of the administrative burden that was burning me out. I’m energized again. And I’m excited about the future.
Final Thoughts: Your Life, Your Terms
If you’re a physician feeling stuck or overwhelmed, know this: there is another way. You don’t have to accept that feeling burnt out is the new normal.
Locum tenens is just one tool—real estate is another. But ultimately, it comes down to deciding what you want your life to look like and taking intentional steps to get there.
If you’re curious about getting started in real estate investing, you can check out Cereus Real Estate. And if you just need inspiration or a blueprint, keep following along at The Darwinian Doctor.
And remember: Financial freedom isn’t a dream. It’s a decision. Let’s get there together.
Experience the financial benefits of real estate without dealing with the headache!
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