What’s your vision for your work-life balance? Is a crucial element currently missing? Is there an element you’re working to incorporate?
When I was in medical school, everything I studied seemed interesting. But I didn’t even entertain certain specialties as something I would do, because the reality of what the work entails didn’t fit with my lifestyle vision.
My most recent guest on the Lean Out Podcast had a very clear vision for her work-life balance, and she unapologetically asked for it when finding her first job after graduate studies.
Meagan Gallagher, DNP is a critical care nurse practitioner and recent graduate of the University of Utah Adult Gerontology Acute Care Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Meagan is an avid rock climber with an emphasis on bouldering and sport climbing. She loves spending time outside, traveling, reading, blogging about her trips, and catching up with friends and family over a walk or coffee.
Meagan shares how she negotiated to take several months off between her doctoral studies and starting her first job. She explains why long trips are so important to her and how she navigated uncertainty and difficult decisions to reach her work-life balance goals.
Meagan wasn’t even sure she wanted to pursue a graduate nursing degree, but the timing of the COVID pandemic facilitated a great opportunity. At the same time, it meant she needed to approach post-graduate job opportunities with careful questioning about vacation and scheduling policies.
Have a listen to our conversation, and let me know… would you tell a potential employer you want several months off before starting a job? How would you approach getting what you want?
Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
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