No matter the industry or profession, first jobs can be a rude awakening. One might think the more time spent training, the better prepared you’d be for reality, but the first-job tenure of physicians suggests otherwise. A new study from Jackson Physician Search and the Medical Group Management Association found that most physicians (59%) leave their first job within three years, and one in four consider leaving during the first year. Documented in the report, “From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early-Career Physician Loyalty and Retention,” the research examines the various factors that influence physicians’ decisions to leave or stay with an employer.
As Regional Vice President of Recruitment for Jackson Physician Search’s Eastern division, I regularly work with residents and fellows during their initial job searches, so I was interested in delving into the research and learning what motivates physicians to stay. I always counsel job candidates to look beyond physician compensation, keep an open mind about location, and pay close attention to organizational culture. Still, I was hoping the research might reveal another nugget of advice that I could offer to help physicians achieve lasting success.
As it turns out, it’s the same advice I gave my kids on the first day of elementary school: “Make some friends.”
It may seem like I’m oversimplifying, but the research indicates that relationships have a significant impact on how long a physician stays with an employer. In the survey, two out of three physicians indicated that peer relationships influence their decisions to stay with an employer. Over half (54%) said relationships with support staff are a factor, and 40% said relationships with senior physicians and administrative leaders are a factor.
Relationships Foster Belonging
When you step into your first physician job, you will no doubt be inundated with new systems, protocols, and challenges. It may feel like you are in survival mode, and the last thing you have time for is making friends. However, this is precisely why you need them. Trusted physician peers offer a sounding board for challenging cases and a safe space to celebrate victories or vent frustrations. Equally important are the connections you form with leadership, which open doors to mentorship, honest feedback, and eventually, a seat at the table. And of course, positive relationships with support staff can make all the difference in your day. Cultivating these partnerships from day one lays the foundation for lasting engagement, professional growth, and a sense of belonging that carries you through every high-pressure moment.
3 Ways to Find Your Tribe as a New Physician
Establishing these relationships is essential. Continue reading for actionable advice on establishing relationships within your new organization.
1. Start early
Depending on your specialty, among other things, you may accept an offer from your chosen organization a full year (or more) before completing your training. This extended gap between the on-site visit and starting the job can make for an especially challenging transition. The bonds you felt during the interview process can quickly fade unless you make an effort to nurture those relationships before starting the job. Don’t hesitate to exchange contact information with the people you meet during the on-site visit and reach out to them when appropriate.
Ideally, the organization designates someone to guide you through the “pre-boarding” period, regardless of its duration. The survey found that the more communication the physician received prior to starting the job, the more prepared they felt for the non-clinical parts of the job. During this time, you can expect to receive community information, orientation resources, credentialing updates, and most importantly, introductions to colleagues. Don’t ignore these introductions. Reply with a personal note and ask if you can follow up with him or her as your start date approaches and questions arise.
Of course, consistent communication throughout this period is not guaranteed. The survey revealed a gap between how frequently administrators believe communication takes place and what physicians actually receive. If you are not hearing from your new employer on a reasonably regular basis, don’t hesitate to reach out to the organization and request the information you need.
2. Be proactive
Establishing solid relationships is key to feeling like you belong, so don’t leave it up to chance. Reach out to the contacts you’ve made prior to your start date. Everyone is busy, but most people want to feel like they’re being helpful — especially if it means they can share their lived experiences. Approach them with a specific question or request and give them the opportunity to impart their wisdom. Offer to buy them a coffee as a gesture of thanks.
Once you have started the job, don’t be shy. Introduce yourself often and say “yes” to any opportunity that encourages connection, from joining the office book club and volunteering for community service projects to attending conferences and serving on committees. Be proactive in getting to know your peers, support staff, and leadership, and seek out opportunities to foster these relationships.
3. Be authentic
Establishing relationships with peers, support staff, and leadership is essential for job satisfaction and lasting success within an organization. However, if you are pursuing these relationships purely for your own professional gain, you are missing the point. After all, authenticity is the key to forming the kind of lasting relationships that lead to long-term success with an organization.
Being authentic means showing up as yourself: owning what you know, being honest about what you don’t, and expressing sincere interest in others. Whether you’re connecting with nurses, fellow doctors, or hospital leadership, authenticity fosters trust, breaks down barriers, and encourages collaboration. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being real. When you approach others with integrity and humility, you invite others to do the same, creating a culture of mutual respect and psychological safety that elevates both patient care and professional growth.
Create a Support System That Will Sustain You
As you embark on your first physician role, remember that clinical excellence alone won’t sustain you. It’s the relationships you build that will shape your experience, your growth, and your longevity. Finding your tribe isn’t just about camaraderie; it’s about creating a support system that helps you thrive in the face of inevitable challenges. By starting early, being proactive, and showing up authentically, you lay the groundwork for meaningful connections that transform a job into a community. In a profession where physician burnout is a real danger and turnover is high, belonging might be your most powerful antidote.
Whether you are seeking your first physician job or looking for a change, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search is eager to help you find an organization where you will thrive long-term. Reach out today or start searching for physician jobs online now.
About Neal Waters
Neal’s career in retained physician search began more than 15 years ago. Early on, he recognized the strain an entire community feels when there is a shortage of physicians to meet patient demand. Since his first successful placement, Neal’s passion for identifying the best providers for each healthcare organization with which he recruits has grown.
Neal serves as Regional Vice President of Recruiting. In his role, he serves as a mentor to a growing team of Jackson Physician Search recruiters. He also enjoys collaborating with in-house recruiters who are dedicated to optimizing their physician recruitment and candidate acquisition strategies. Likewise, Neal specializes in helping physicians, especially residents and those early in their careers, advance their professional careers by finding the right fit.
