Why 6 months or less work contract is a bad idea for an IMG doctor?

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This is just my personal opinion and experience sharing. 

I had my first job in NHS with a 6-month contract. 


Why do I take it?

- First job= Stepstone. I take it as a stepstone as a key to entering an NHS job.  

   People comment that as long as you have NHS experience - you will get the next job very easily. I agree with it. 

-  Personal circumstance: I have my career progression plan. I do not want to wait. 

   Everyone has their own story/ personal circumstance and priority in their life. 

- Job hunting = Daunting process. I understand that it can be a big struggle to get a perfect job/ perfect place. I want to end the process at soon as possible so that I can put others things in place. 

   I do not wish to spend too much time on this, more. 

    This is a time-consuming process. Hunting and waiting for a job can be very mentally and financially challenging.

   I will strongly advise do not quit your previous job too soon. It is better to wait for a confirmation start date to be given to your post. 

   I don't want to be prickly and I was not allowed to have such a luxury. 

You can refer to this article - for how long it going to take for a job. It could be very uncertain and unpredictable. 

https://helenngjourney.blogspot.com/2022/03/timeframe-from-plab2-to-your-first-job.html

- Wonderful job. My offer was from a prestigious trust. It will definitely boost my CV.

   I can understand the reason why the trust doesn't want to offer one year contract. We have no credit in this country at all. Simply, they don't trust us - who knows you could be a problem-maker in the department. It could be many more reasons, e.g funding. We never know since we are not on the chair. 

  After I entered the trust, as early as in the second week, my consultant is asking me to confirm the extension of the contract. This helps them to estimate the manpower and prepare for the next recruitment. 


I will advise against it. Why?

- Need to find a new job as soon as you enter the trust.

 It should be easier, in terms of the next trust are happy that you have some NHS experience. 

- Deal with uncertainty after 6 months. Relocation again. Adapting new system (e.g computer/ workflow), new people, and new community. 

All these are big things especially if you come with a family. 

- You need to build rapport and relationships with your team. You will need a referee from your current workplace for your next job. 

- You could struggle with accommodation search. Good property usually prefers 1 years contract. 

- You will be in a rush of "adapting yourself to a new system" yet now you are stuck with "busy hunting a new job". It is a bad idea. 

- In the UK, you can do things at your own pace. Just taking care of your mental health. You no need to be so rushed. Have a long-term plan, rather than a short-term plan. 

  e.g do one year job. then get the crest form sign and enter into training. Do locum when you feel want to. Enjoy your life and travel around. then enter into the training post. Apply ILR in 5 years' time. Build your credit score. Get a house. 

- Your first sponsorship is for 6 months. Your skilled worker visa permission to stay will last for that duration. You might need to pay again to apply for a new visa. 


In short, it can be physically and mentally tiring. 

Do make the decision according to your personal circumstances. 

You know your circumstance the best. 



Good luck. 




For other topics: 

https://helenngjourney.blogspot.com/2022/02/table-of-contents.html







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