Docs are 'loud quitting' medicine—is this ex-surgeon's story inspiring or terrifying?

When Frances Mei Hardin, MD, decided to go into medicine she saw herself following in the footsteps of countless ENT surgeons before her—scalpel in hand, practicing well into her 70s.

But after a decade in the field, she realized that plans can change.

The 33-year-old doctor got real in her Instagram Reel, and announced she’s leaving medicine entirely. Her transparent explanation offers a glimpse into the often unspoken struggles that drive some physicians to walk away from their careers despite the years of difficult work to get there.

An honest confession

“No one would ever become a doctor with the intention of leaving medicine,” says Dr. Hardin. “We even see this modeled for us, where surgeons operate well into their 70s, and even then, somebody has to pry the scalpel from their hands.”

Her words get to the root of what many in medicine already know but often don't express freely. The profession is built on decades of training and sacrifice, on the expectation that once you’re in, you’re in for life. But for Dr. Hardin, the “disillusionment with medicine” became too much.

Many followers felt seen by Dr. Hardin's testimonial.

But her candid video didn't come without its criticism.

That nagging feeling

It was back when she was a junior ENT resident that Dr. Hardin says she knew something wasn’t right with her career choice, "but back then, I was not brave or creative enough to leave,” she admits.

So she kept her head down, pushed through, and eventually became an attending—despite a nagging feeling that she was in the wrong job.

"All of us know what it's like to be in the wrong situation," she continues. "The wrong job, the wrong relationship, and so many of us stay really a lot longer than we know we ever should have because it's hard — it's scary."

It's a relatable scenario: It's easier to keep going, to keep up appearances, to avoid the fear of starting over.

The cost of staying

The stakes in medicine feel so high thanks to the major investments. By the time you’re truly aware of a potential misfit, you’ve invested years—sometimes decades—into this identity as a doctor.

"By the time that you realize it might not be the right fit for you, you've already put several years, so much time and effort and sacrifice, into the career. It's very hard to leave," says Dr. Hardin, acknowledging the guilt and second-guessing that so often come with even questioning your path.

Finding the courage to walk away

This kind of "loud quitting" announcement isn’t just about leaving—it’s about finally being brave enough to do it.

She frames her exit as a message to everyone who’s ever doubted themselves or their decision, even for a moment. Ultimately, Dr. Hardin decided to reclaim her agency and her life outside of medicine. Her story is a reminder about the personal cost of staying in a profession that no longer works for your life and happiness.

What’s different about Dr. Hardin’s story is that she didn’t just talk about it—she walked away. She gave voice to what many are afraid to admit: that sometimes, leaving is the bravest choice.

The takeaway for doctors

To be clear, this isn’t a call for everyone to leave medicine. It’s a call to acknowledge those feelings of misalignment when they arise and to give yourself permission to reimagine what fulfillment looks like — in career and in life.

Dr. Hardin’s story is a powerful example of how physicians can honor the truth of their own needs, even when it means taking the scalpel out of their own hands.

If you’re feeling stuck in your role, or if you’ve wondered what your life might look like outside the white coat, know you’re not alone. And maybe—just maybe—there’s more bravery in leaving than in staying.