In honor of National Rural Health Day, celebrated on the third Thursday of November, Jackson Physician Search looks back on a few of our favorite rural physician job search success stories. In each situation, the physician was moved by the opportunity to make a difference in the rural community. As they progressed through the interview processes with these rural health organizations, they became increasingly aware of their potential to make a significant impact, and this appealed to them.
For many physicians, the chance to make a difference is a significant factor in their job searches. However, all too often, the reality of physician practice feels disconnected from their mission to serve. A recent Jackson Physician Search and LocumTenens.com study, “Is Medicine Still a Calling? Exploring Physician Attitudes About Purpose in Medicine,” found that while most physicians feel “called” to the profession, their sense of calling tends to diminish over time. Administrative burdens, preauthorization battles, reimbursement issues, skeptical patients — not to mention the fact that they are seeing more patients in less time — all contribute to a widening gap between the work they felt called to do and the work they are actually doing.
Rural Medicine as the Antidote
Physicians may just find the antidote to their disillusionment in rural medicine. With typically lighter patient volumes, rural doctors have the time to truly get to know their patients and the autonomy to make more thoughtful, personalized care decisions. Both of these things — connecting with patients and clinical decision-making — were listed as the most meaningful aspects of practicing medicine in the aforementioned study, and thus contribute to a physician’s sense of purpose.
The study also found that the more connected you feel to that mission, the more likely you are to feel happy at work. The data shows that clinicians who view their work as a calling — who believe they are truly serving others — report higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction.
Keep reading for real examples of physicians connecting with their calling in rural medicine.
Cardiologist Finds Connection in Rural Health
A cardiologist seeking both career and purpose discovered her ideal role at Montrose Regional Health in Colorado. Drawn by the hospital’s mission-driven culture — “treating patients like family” — she reached out to the recruiter whose enthusiasm for the organization was contagious. During a swift on-site interview, Dr. Arashvand observed the many ways the organization walked the talk. She stepped into the role confident she could truly focus on patient care and exercise clinical autonomy. Since joining, she’s experienced a meaningful connection with both her patients and the organization’s ethos — fulfilling her sense of calling. Read More>>
Winding Path to Purpose
When her first post-residency job left her feeling like a cog in the wheel, family medicine physician Dr. P turned to locums work. She spent 25 years as a locum, continually seeking opportunities to provide meaningful patient care. Recognizing her core passion — to serve underserved rural communities and practice preventive, patient-centered care — she was intrigued when presented with a permanent position in western Idaho that aligned perfectly with her mission. Despite her non-traditional résumé, her enthusiasm and values won over the hiring team. She accepted the permanent position and finally found the sense of purpose she had been seeking throughout her career. Read More>>
Building Experience While Giving Back
Advanced practice providers who hope to specialize face a catch-22: they need experience to get a job, but all the jobs require experience. A newly trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Indiana was facing this exact dilemma. He had gone into mental health to improve the lives of others, but now, no one was willing to hire him to do so! Fortunately, a Jackson Physician Search recruiter came across his CV and suspected she had just the place for him. Her client, a rural community mental health clinic, wanted someone local who could start quickly. The demand was such that they were willing to train a new grad if it meant hiring someone right away. The position offered a four-day workweek, telehealth options, loan-repayment support, and, most importantly to the candidate, the job aligned with his desire to make a meaningful difference. With the recruiter’s coaching on responses and contract details, he accepted the role and found a sense of purpose in helping the underserved in his own region. Read More>>
The Many Reasons to Consider Rural Health
Rural practice can certainly help physicians reconnect with their purpose, but this is just one of many reasons you might be happier in a rural physician job. Rural positions often come with higher compensation and a lower cost of living. Physicians in less-populated areas typically earn 5–10 % more than their urban counterparts, and when you take advantage of incentives like signing bonuses or loan-repayment programs, the financial upside becomes even more compelling. Because housing and everyday expenses tend to be lower, your salary can stretch farther and help you build savings and stability sooner.
The lifestyle and practice dynamics in rural settings often provide better work-life balance and more autonomy. You’ll likely live in a family-friendly community, have greater flexibility in your schedule, and spend more meaningful time with patients. Instead of rushing through back-to-back appointments, you’ll be able to connect, listen, and impact lives in a tangible way — which, as we’ve noted, many physicians say is the most meaningful part of their work.
If you’re seeking not just a job, but a career where you can practice medicine on your terms, feel part of a community, and rediscover your sense of purpose — a rural physician role might be exactly the right fit.
Whether you’re actively looking for a new job, considering a change of pace, or simply reflecting on why you do what you do, the Jackson Physician Search recruitment team is ready to assist. Reach out today or start your online physician job search now.
Rural Physician Job Resources
5 Qualities You Need to Thrive in Rural Physician Jobs
Fact or Fiction? 4 Assumptions About Rural Physician Jobs
7 Reasons You Might Be Happier in a Rural Physician Job
Is Rural Medicine Right for You?
6 Reasons APPs Should Choose Rural Health
