Medical Moonlighting for Residents: The Pros and Cons
As an early career physician, you're likely juggling demanding residency hours with significant student loan debt. It’s no surprise that many residents consider medical moonlighting—taking on a secondary job outside of their primary training program—to earn extra income. Before you start searching for physician jobs to supplement your residency, it's important to weigh the potential benefits against the drawbacks.
This guide, updated for 2025, explores the key considerations for residents thinking about moonlighting, helping you decide if it’s the right move for your career and personal life.
What Residents Should Know About Moonlighting
Moonlighting involves working a job in addition to your main one. For residents, this could mean working as an independent physician outside the scope of your training program. There are two main types:
- Internal moonlighting: Working extra shifts within the same facility as your primary residency program.
- External moonlighting: Working at a different hospital or clinic.
Before pursuing either option, you must understand your program's specific policies. The Accreditation Committee for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) caps combined educational and work hours for residents at 80 hours per week. Any moonlighting must not interfere with your educational goals or compromise patient safety. Some residency programs, like HCA Healthcare, may not permit internal moonlighting at all.
The Pros of Medical Moonlighting
For many residents, the benefits of moonlighting can be substantial.
Extra Income
The most obvious advantage is the additional income. Earning more can help you pay down student loan debt faster or support your family. Financial expert Dr. David Tseng advises using any money earned from moonlighting to tackle debt rather than for splurges. Keep in mind, however, that as your income increases, your student loan repayment amount may also increase, so it's wise to plan accordingly.
Expanded Clinical Experience
Medical moonlighting offers a chance to broaden your clinical experience and build confidence. You might encounter different practice settings, patient populations, and medical technologies. Dr. Fasiha Haque, an emergency medicine physician, recalled that her moonlighting work gave her a distinct advantage with critical care procedures. She noted that over 60% of the critical care procedures during her emergency medicine training were performed while moonlighting. This extra experience became a significant selling point on her resume when she was later hired.
The Cons of Medical Moonlighting
Despite the advantages, moonlighting comes with its own set of challenges.
Time Commitment and Burnout
The 80-hour weekly cap on work and education is in place for a reason—to prevent burnout and ensure patient safety. Adding moonlighting shifts can push you to your limit, potentially interfering with your personal life, relationships, and any research commitments. Dr. Tseng recommends that residents take on no more than two moonlighting shifts per month to maintain a healthy balance.
Logistical Hurdles
Finding medical moonlighting jobs isn't always straightforward. Some hospitals require physicians to be board-certified or hold a permanent license, which can be a barrier for residents. You will also need to ensure you have adequate malpractice coverage. It's crucial to either understand what constitutes good malpractice insurance or work with a staffing agency that provides quality coverage for its physicians.
Missed Opportunities
Focusing on moonlighting might mean you miss out on educational programs or networking events at your primary hospital. Dr. Phil Coren warns that residents could lose valuable learning and connection opportunities that are part of their core training program. It's also important to remember that residency is a finite period, and you need to devote time to finding the ideal physician job after you finish your program.
Finding the Right Path for You
Deciding whether to take on moonlighting shifts is a personal choice that requires careful thought. Weigh the financial and experiential benefits against the potential for burnout and the logistical challenges. Check your residency program’s policies, assess your personal and professional bandwidth, and consider your long-term career goals.
AMN Healthcare specializes in connecting physicians with opportunities that fit their unique needs. If you're an early career physician exploring your options, our team can help you find the right path forward.
