Things to Consider When Becoming a Doctor

You want to help people and you are fascinated by how and why the human body works. You feel that if only better medical care were out there some people would live longer and healthier lives. Perhaps you also want to have some financial security and do not mind working for it. Becoming a doctor may be in your future, but there are some things you should think about before you commit to paying for college. You should be sure this is your career path because you cannot half become a doctor. Either you are one or you are not. Think about it and then go for it if you truly have this profession in your heart.

First, understand that becoming a doctor is not cheap nor is it easy. You are going to have to attend college for at least seven years and possibly more if you have an especially trying specialty in mind. This can add up quickly is costs for student loans. If you are lucky enough to have parents that can afford to put you though medical school, that is fantastic, but you still have to be sure this is what you want to do before they lay down all that cash for you to attend. Wasting a two year degree is one thing, but wasting seven years of schooling is downright foolish.

Next, think about the excessive hours that some doctors have to work. They always need to work some off hours no matter what they do. This means weekends, nights, and holidays. When you get into private practice, this may not be such an issue, but if you are going to be an OB/GYN, you are going to be on call for most of your career, and you know that babies just love to arrive on weekends and at three o'clock in the morning. If you can accept that long hours and odd work shifts are just going to be a part of your life, you should be okay with that aspect of becoming a doctor.

You should also understand that becoming a doctor does not always mean you are going to be rich. Some have such high student loans and have to take jobs where they can find them at first that they are not making nearly the money they thought they would. You are not going to last in the field of medicine if you are in it just for the money. Everything will eventually wear you down, financial problems included. You can always make great money by becoming a surgeon, but you may feel more at home helping people in a poor city neighborhood hospital. Think these things through before you start.

Becoming a doctor can be hard in so many ways. Some find that they cannot turn off their emotions when they see human suffering. In some ways, doctors have to learn to remove themselves from their patients so they are not carrying emotional baggage all the time while still remaining caring and efficient. It can be a hard line to walk. You have to care about your patients, but if you become too emotionally involved, it won't be long before you head into a major depression. This is perhaps one of the most important things to consider so think long and hard about it. You can do great things as a doctor, but not everyone can do it. Find out if you can before you go.