Not every bad week means you need a new job. But not every comfortable job is one you should stay in. Sometimes the signs are obvious. You've stopped enjoying the work, there's nowhere left to grow, or an opportunity comes along that's simply too good to ignore. More often, it's less clear. The job is fine. You like the people. You know what you're doing. You're comfortable. But somewhere in the back of your mind is the question: Is it time for something else? Instead of simply asking "Do I want to leave?" , it can be more useful to ask: "Is staying still the right decision for my career?" Here are five questions to help you decide. Am I still learning? Career progression doesn't always mean a promotion or a bigger title. You might be developing new capabilities, dealing with more complex challenges, working with people you can learn from or gaining experience that will open doors later. Ask yourself: What can I do now that I couldn't do 12 months ago? What am I learning in this role today? What will I be better at 12 months from now if I stay? There's nothing wrong with being good at your job. But being comfortable and continuing to grow aren't always the same thing. Is there genuinely somewhere for me to go? It's easy to stay because of what might happen. "There could be an opportunity next year." "My manager has said I'm next in line." "They're talking about creating another position." Sometimes those opportunities materialise. Sometimes another year passes, and you're having exactly the same conversation. If your reason for staying relies heavily on a future opportunity, find out how real it is. What needs to happen? What's the likely timeframe? What do you still need to demonstrate? There is a difference between potential and wishful thinking . What is staying costing me? When we're considering a move, we naturally think about the risks of leaving. What if I don't like the new organisation? What if the role isn't what I expected? What if I leave a great team? They're sensible questions. But what about the risk of staying? If you remain where you are for another two years, what might you not experience? Perhaps it's leading a larger team, gaining new expertise, working in a different environment or taking on greater responsibility. Every career decision has an opportunity cost. Don't only ask: “What might I lose if I leave?” Ask: "What might I miss if I stay?" Am I moving towards something or simply away from something? A frustrating job can make almost any alternative look attractive. Before making a move, separate what you're trying to get away from, and what you're trying to move towards . You may want to escape poor leadership, excessive workload or limited progression. But what do you actually want instead? More responsibility? Better leadership? Greater flexibility? A different clinical environment? More autonomy? A new challenge? Knowing what you're moving towards makes it much easier to assess whether another opportunity is genuinely better or simply different. What would need to change for me to stay? Before deciding the answer is another job, ask: What would need to change for me to happily stay here for another two years? Perhaps you need more responsibility, greater flexibility, better development opportunities or a clearer progression path. Then ask: Have I actually asked for it? We can spend months becoming increasingly dissatisfied with something we've never had a direct conversation about. Not every problem can be solved. But before leaving a good organisation, it's worth finding out whether what you're looking for elsewhere could exist where you already are. You don't need to resign to explore the market Talking to a recruiter doesn't mean you've decided to leave. Looking at opportunities doesn't mean you're disloyal. And going to an interview doesn't mean you have to accept the job. Sometimes exploring the market is simply good career management. What opportunities are available? What are employers looking for? How is your experience valued? What could your next step realistically look like? You may discover an opportunity that excites you. Or you may discover that staying exactly where you are is the right decision. Either way, you've made that decision with better information. There is no rule that says you should change jobs every two, three or five years. Sometimes staying is the best career move you can make. Sometimes leaving is. The important thing is that neither happens simply by default. So perhaps the question isn't: "Should I stay or should I go?" It's: "Which decision puts me in a better place two or three years from now?"