Originally Posted by todds

I think you can make time to spend your money, have a decent lifestyle and work >50 hours a week if you make a couple sacrifices in almost any specialty as long as you adjust your hours. For example, an academic cardiologist I work with set up his schedule like this:

M 0700 - 2359 Works all day, takes call and finishes up academic work, consults on call
T 0000 - 2300
W OFF
R 0800-1400
F 0800-1400
S OFF
S OFF

Works 52 hours a week + takes weekend call for the group every 4th weekend which requires roughly 10 hours for the weekend and home call. He sacrifices two days dedicating purely to work, but dedicates a full 3 days and 2 afternoons to himself and family. Then a couple office days for follow ups/consults. Picks up kids from school 3/5 days. Pretty good set up for a cardiologist while still working full time and not sacrificing money.

I can imagine ER could do something like this as well taking back to back shifts couple days in a row then taking 5 days off