Can I work a second job during residency?

Yes, you can often work a second job ("moonlighting") during residency, but it's strictly regulated by your program and the ACGME, requiring director approval and counting towards the 80-hour weekly limit, with options like internal hospital shifts or non-clinical work being common, but burnout risk is high. Always check your specific program's policies and ensure you have proper malpractice coverage before starting any extra work.

Can you have another job during residency?

It's common to make extra money in residency with additional clinical work, such as overnight or weeknight hospital shifts. The specifics depend on where you work and your specialty. Moonlighting opportunities are most common at hospitals with a high volume of inpatient clinical care.

Can you work out during residency?

Benefits of Exercise During Residency

Research suggests that exercise among residents may curb the rate of burnout and improve quality of life. In one study, a team-based, incentivized exercise program for residents significantly improved levels of fitness, quality of life, and burnout.

How many hours can you work during residency?

As per the rules of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in the United States of America, residents are allowed to work a maximum of 80 hours a week averaged over a 4-week period.

Can you work part-time in residency?

Many fellowships and even residency programs have opportunities for internal moonlighting, so check and see if the other residents and fellows are engaging in any of these. Some residents are able to moonlight at urgent care centers or take call at outside hospitals providing basic services.

How I Make More Money As A Doctor In Residency (AND YOU CAN TOO)

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

What medical jobs pay $40 an hour?

Many medical jobs pay $40 an hour or more, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Dental Hygienists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Radiation Therapists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physical Therapists (PTs), and MRI Technologists, often requiring associate or bachelor's degrees, with roles like PAs and NPs paying even more. Entry-level options with good pay potential include EMT/Paramedic roles, with faster training paths available in imaging and therapies.
 

Do you have free time during residency?

In most programs, residents receive 3-4 weeks of vacation per academic year where they're free from educational and clinical work. Depending on your program, this may come in the form of 2-week stretches, 1-week stretches, or a combination.

Is residency harder than med school?

Yes, residency is generally considered harder than medical school, but in a different way; medical school is academically intense with exams, while residency trades academic pressure for real-world responsibility, longer hours, physical exhaustion, critical patient-care decisions, and emotional stress, though it's where you truly become a doctor. Residency shifts focus from book learning to hands-on, high-stakes clinical practice, often involving 80+ hour weeks, overnight calls, and constant responsibility for patients' lives, making it more draining on stamina and time. 

How much do 2 year residents make?

Second-year (PGY-2) residents earn roughly $60,000 to $75,000 annually, with averages around $65,000-$73,000 in 2024-2025, depending on the institution, location, and specialty, with figures like $69,000 at Banner University and $72,672 at UT Southwestern showing typical increases over first-year pay. 

What is the hardest residency to get into?

The hardest medical residencies to get into consistently include Dermatology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology (ENT), Radiation Oncology, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiothoracic Surgery, due to high demand, limited spots, intense competition, high USMLE scores required, and prestigious work-life balance/income potential, with Neurosurgery often cited as the most demanding due to complex, high-stakes training.
 

What is the 5-3-1 rule?

The 5-3-1 rule, created by social scientist Kasley Killam, is a guideline for social health: spend time with 5 different people weekly, nurture 3 close relationships, and aim for 1 hour of quality daily social interaction to combat loneliness and improve well-being. It's a flexible framework to balance diverse connections with deep intimacy, focusing on intentional social engagement for overall health. 

Can I take a break during residency?

Total Time Away Across Training: A resident may take up to a maximum of 20 weeks of leave over the three years of residency without requiring an extension of training.

How to make money on the side during residency?

Moonlighting Medical Residents: Side Gigs to Make More Money

1. Tutor.
2. Create Study Exams.
3. Create an Online Course.
4. Work as a Medical Transcriptionist.
5. Freelance as a Medical Writer or Editor.
6. Become a Career Coach.
7. Provide Clinical Care at an Urgent Care Center.
8. Perform Physical Examinations for Insurance Companies.

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

Can a doctor have two jobs?

Tl;dr - One can maintain 0.6-1.0 FTE as a W2 and also work as a 1099 independent contractor on the side, or develop his/her own professional "micro-corporation" acting solely as a 1099 contractor in multiple positions.

What is the 32 hour rule in medical school?

The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours, often in science courses, instead of their entire undergraduate GPA, benefiting students with a strong upward trend or a solid post-baccalaureate performance. Schools like Wayne State University and LSU Health New Orleans use variations of this to give more weight to recent academic efforts, allowing strong performance in later coursework or post-bacc programs to shine. 

What are red flags for residency?

Residency red flags are issues in an applicant's record that can raise concerns for program directors, primarily falling into categories like academic performance (failed board exams, low scores, failed courses), gaps in education (unexplained time off, delays in graduating), and professionalism issues (disciplinary actions, legal problems, negative MSPE), along with weak application materials (generic statements, poor LORs) or limited clinical experience. These flags signal potential challenges, but can often be mitigated by explaining the context, demonstrating growth, and showing alignment with the program's values. 

Which residency is least stressful?

Public Health & Preventive Medicine

It's probably the least stressful medical specialty overall, although it's not always the most popular among medical students because of the rarity of patient interaction.

Is residency really 80 hours a week?

Yes, medical residents typically work up to 80 hours per week, averaged over four weeks, as mandated by the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) in the U.S., but actual hours vary significantly by specialty, rotation, and institution, with some rarely hitting 80 and others consistently nearing or exceeding it, even amidst controversies about compliance and the impact on resident well-being. 

Do doctors work 7 days on 7 days off?

Yes, many hospital-based doctors, especially hospitalists, work a common "7 days on, 7 days off" schedule, working long shifts (often 12 hours) for a week, including weekends, then having a full week off, which allows for long periods of rest but can lead to burnout during work weeks. This schedule ensures continuity of care for patients but is just one model, with other specialties like emergency medicine or surgery having different patterns, and some doctors even prefer more frequent, shorter shifts.
 

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

The most prominent "$400,000 job without a college degree" discussed in recent news is a Walmart Supercenter Store Manager, where compensation can reach that level through a combination of increased base pay (around $128k average), significant bonuses (up to 200% of base), and annual stock grants (up to $20k) for top performers, making the role lucrative for those rising from hourly work. Other paths to high income without a degree include skilled trades, tech sales, and specialized roles like power plant operators, often achieved through skills-based training, certificates, or apprenticeships rather than a traditional four-year degree.
 

Can an RN make $200,000?

Yes, a Registered Nurse (RN) can make $200,000 or more, especially through travel nursing, high-demand specialties (ICU, OR, ER), working in high-cost-of-living areas, taking extensive overtime, and pursuing advanced roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP) or leadership positions, though it's often a combination of these factors rather than a standard salary for most RNs. Factors like location, experience, and specialization are crucial, with travel nurses in high demand often reaching this income, while experienced NPs in niche areas or C-suite roles can also achieve it.