is becoming a doctor hard?

Question

i'm not really sure what career i want to choose but i want something where i can be respected but something i can do..
i wouldn't say i was the smartest in school so i'm not really sure about becoming a doctor. i love the idea of it but i know it involves so much work. what if i get into it and find out i don't like it? will i then be known as a failure? my family wants me to become one but i think they just like the idea of having a doctor in the family. i do want to make them proud though. i don't know f i'm determined or strong enough to do it.

Answer 1

To become a doctor:
4 years undergrad
score well on MCAT
4 years med school
1 year internship (read indentured servitude)
4 years residency
1 possible fellowship year
pass board exams

You're looking at several years of intense training, sleepless nights, verbal abuse by nurses, patients, attendings. If you make it through all of that you'll be able to apply for a nice spot among a group specialty practice, open your own practice or work as a hospitalist.

When you start practicing, you will likely get hit with a malpractice suit. Expect it. You'll probably be sued numerous times during your career. It's a horrible thing to go through, to have someone you tried to help rake you over the coals with the help of their evil, grubbing personal injury lawyer. Most malpractice suits are unwarranted, but they occur frequently anyway. All of the doctors I know personally have been sued. Goes with the territory.

Being a doctor is beyond honorable. You literally sacrifice your own life (or at least a significant amount of your time) for the service of others. It's a lot of work; important work. You have to be able to face the politics, though. The way things are going in the US with HMO's, Medicare reimbursement and the like, I would suggest talking to some doctors about what they think.

If it's prestige and pride you're looking for, maybe politics or law would be a better choice.

Answer 2

Yes, becoming a doctor is hard - there's a lot of schooling involved, at least 10 years, probably more, after high school counting residency, and the courses are difficult. You'd need pretty close to straight A's in your undergrad college courses to even get into medical school.

And BEING a doctor isn't easy either - you can make a lot of money, but also work a lot of hours and have a huge amount of responsibility.

Why does your family want you to become a doctor?

You have to do something that interests YOU, not just choose something because your family thinks you should.

Answer 3

I am going 2 write my medical entrance this year. Ask yourself this Q. Am I taking this stream coz I really want 2 become a good doctor or is it because everyone is going behind the entrance factor? If your answer is a +ve reply to the first part of this Q, then u'll rock. U'll rule even if it is the hardest of courses. MBBS - 5 1/2 years Speciality + Super speciality - Will depend on the course Internship - Also differs among colleges

Answer 4

do not make the mistake of going for becoming a doctor just because of the prestige, or that it will make your family happy. that is a terrible, irreversible mistake you can make. for instance, lets say you go through med school and go through your specialized training for another 4 years after med school. and you decide you hate being a doctor (very possible). you will be screwed big time. i dont recommend being a doctor unless you make certain to find out from people who are already doctors how hard it is. you have no idea how insanely hard it is to :1. get into med school 2. complete your 4 year specialization without going bonkers 3. passing the board exam. 4. actually enjoying what you do. i do not recommend being a doctor until you know the cold hard facts. talk to doctors and ask them to tell you the gods honest truth about how hard it is to be a doctor. then make your decision.

Answer 5

If you love school, go for it. It will take a long time, but it would pay decent dividends. If not, think about what you like and what you are good at and go from there. A few four year degrees that pay and earn respect are engineering, accounting, some IT related degrees, etc. Most importantly, find something that you have an interest in and think you would enjoy as a career. Good luck.

Answer 6

Most people cannot be doctors. If becoming a doctor were easy then who would want to do it? I work as a security officer and I do not like the job because it is easy. I sit at a desk for 48hours per week and monitor traffic. If I didn't have my actuarial mathematics then I would quick my job because it is too easy. Completing challenging tasks makes me feel better about myself than completing easy tasks.

I want to be an actuary. That's harder than being a doctor, but that is ultimately why I want to be an actuary. I am better at mathematics than most people, I love challenging math problems, studying for 25hours per week, I like big paychecks.

Answer 7

yes!! Look into being a Physicians Assistant. A lot less school but really good money.
Talk to people in the healthcare field and ask them the best parts of thier job and the worst to get a better idea of what it;s really like.

Answer 8

learning to do any well paying job will be hard, but if you are good at memorizing things, and are not grossed out eazily, a doctor could be the right career for you. What sort of doctor do you want to be,a pediatrician, dermatologist, eyedoctor, dentist, orthodontist. It will be hard, but not impossible.

Answer 9

Become an electrical engineer!