For me, absolutely not. Show me something I could do with my MD degree that will allow me to pay off my $300k student loan debt without doing a residency, and I'd JUMP. No research, of course!!
First and second years were just like college stuff. I didn't love them, but they were run of the mill, just what I expected. I looked forward to third year so much, "because I'd actually be doing something for once," I thought. Little did I know. So many people on here say "just wait until 3rd year, you'll start loving it then," but third year was my downfall.
I hate the hierarchy crap. I know most career fields have a hierarchy, but the one in medicine especially sucks. Stupid surgeons who throw their phone across the OR, breaking it, and then thinking it's funny the next day. Not mature. Treating M3s like crap just because they were treated that way....total hazing. Waking up at 3:30am, working 14h days, dreading the next consult or new admit, hiding from your team because you know they're going to make you scrub in if they find you, etc. For me, it was torture.
Trust me, if I could change my career path, I would. Simple fact is that I go to one of the most expensive medical schools in the country, and no other field that I could go into would allow me to pay down that massive debt (unless my hubby lands a nice client -- he's a sports agent, haha). Plus, I would consider it a serious waste if I went through all this for my MD and didn't use it.
I'm making the best of it....I love kids, they're the only thing I think is worth it. So I'm going into pediatrics, trying to find a chill residency with great people back in sunny SoCal. When I get out, I'll be a primary care pediatrician, hopefully be able to work part time if my husband can make enough money. Kids and family are more important than anything, so I also plan to make some babies, soon. Any field that keeps me from having children, I will resent forever, though.
It's been really helpful to read these posts. Everyone I've encountered is SO positive about the med school experience. It's really comforting to hear other people share my sentiments....