Finding the Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path

from the desk of Regina Phang, SG Rehab’s Director

Dear Therapists,

I have been asked many times to share my thoughts about why I chose to step out as a Locum and how I found courage to take this leap of faith.

It has been more than 10 years since I left the hospital setting and embarked on a special journey of exploration and discovery, going through different phases of my life with different work teams. It has been the most amazing experience and it has not only brought me great flexibility to be with my children and a sustainable income to provide for my family, but also lots of growth in my work as an Occupational Therapist. For example, I’ve had an amazing opportunity to represent a nursing home on a study trip to Japan to understand the best practices of Japan’s nursing homes. Now, who says that a locum will not have such opportunities? Anything is possible so long as you put your heart and mind to it.

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”

– Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow

My days as a Locum fit perfectly well with my journey of “chasing” a slower life. As a locum, I was empowered with the privilege of control over my own time usage and work schedule. I choose to work less hours in order to be there for my children as these are the critical years during which they need me the most. They say that when you raise young children, the days are long but the years are short? – I can definitely relate to this!

With the amazing journey I’ve had as a locum, I wanted to provide the same opportunities to clinicians out there who want control over their time so that they are able to reap the same benefits I did. At the same time, I wanted to insulate them as much as possible from the risks I had to bear when I first stepped out because I know how difficult it is, especially for people with a smaller appetite for risks, to disrupt the status quo.

With this notion in mind and a few dedicated partners, SG Rehab was born and I’ve never looked back. SG Rehab’s aim is simple – we seek to be your trusted partner on your locum journey. We are here to ensure that your journey is as fuss-free and safe as possible, so that you can maximize the benefits of being a Locum while minimizing the risks.

If you have been living a fast, busy life as a clinician, suffocating beneath tonnes of administrative work and endless meetings to attend or projects to work on, I strongly urge you to consider a season of Detour as a Locum.

“Detour. The word Detour sounds better than the word Interruption. So I find myself redefining the setbacks and changes in my life as Detours, as little more than simple changes of plans. Burned the soup? Detour to pizza. Trip to the ER? Detour to perspective. Cancelled appointment? Detour to free time.

… Never, ever, forget that this life offers Options. It is easy to look around and see a sea of One Way, but just because we can’t see an alternative doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

– Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow

From this perspective, you may also say. Tired or burnt out? Detour to Locum! You may like Locum work so much that it becomes a long-term career path for you!

So, welcome to the world of Opportunities! We are living in exciting times where traditional models of Work are increasingly being challenged and people are progressively looking towards the freelance or gig economy as the future of work. I look forward to you starting on your locum journey. And if you need any help, please just feel free to holler! We will definitely be able to help you in one way or another.

To your Freedom,
Regina P