Another one of those threads: Why Med/Money

[Adrenaline21]

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Yes, I know there is and have used the search function. This is mostly a thread.

But, honestly, is it ok to be pursuing medicine for, of course, to help people, but also be influenced by the job security and respect(from family, peers,etc) that a doc receives?


And taking away the malpractice, taxes, debt... is it fair to say a doctor will make at least $100,000/year?

And yes, money is a factor, but only because with this much time and sacrifice put in, its only fair to receive enough payment to pay off debt, and be paid well.

 

[Doctor246853]

Yes, I know there is and have used the search function. This is mostly a thread.

But, honestly, is it ok to be pursuing medicine for, of course, to help people, but also be influenced by the job security and respect(from family, peers,etc) that a doc receives?


And taking away the malpractice, taxes, debt... is it fair to say a doctor will make at least $100,000/year?

And yes, money is a factor, but only because with this much time and sacrifice put in, its only fair to receive enough payment to pay off debt, and be paid well.

*sigh* Why....just....why.......

 

[circulus vitios]

Two types of people are going to reply to this thread: those who live in the real world, and liars.

 

[MedPR]

Yes, I know there is and have used the search function. This is mostly a thread.

If you start a thread with this anywhere in your OP, you shouldn't have started it.

 

[235788]

There is a reason that family medicine and peds is the least competitive to get in... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[syoung]

If you start a thread with this anywhere in your OP, you shouldn't have started it.

He sounds like jsmith

 

[Neurosis]

Two types of people are going to reply to this thread: those who live in the real world, and liars.

...so how did you answer at your interviews/personal statement, or if you haven't yet, how will you answer them?

 

[235788]

...so how did you answer at your interviews/personal statement, or if you haven't yet, how will you answer them?

You have to play the game

 

[Crystaal]

OP,

I think you know that your main reasons for going into medicine should be because you love it and you think it will make you happy, regardless of pay. Take a deep look at yourself and answer that question first. If you do it for reasons like money or prestige, you just won't be satisfied.

I went to the ER once and the doctor asked me what I was going to do after college. I said I was pre-med and she said, "God no, it's not worth it. Especially after obamacare you won't get paid ****." When I was shadowing at a hospital, a pathologist I was with wouldn't stop bitching about his loans and how he should have been a PA.

Be secure in the fact that you will have a comfortable living. You won't be poor. But you won't be rich. And you really can't put an exact number like 100k on there and expect promises to be filled.

I think most people who go into medicine take money, security, and respect from others into account. But think of them as perks. If you really wanted to make decent money and security and respect, go be an engineer or a CPA.

 

[mapandterritory]

Honestly, there are other ways make money that also don't have such a demanding schedule. It's not shameful to want a decent salary after going through all of this, but it shouldn't a person's primary reason.

 

[circulus vitios]

...so how did you answer at your interviews/personal statement, or if you haven't yet, how will you answer them?

I'll lie about not caring about money and wanting to work in underserved or rural areas.

 

[Frazier]

I'll lie about not caring about money and wanting to work in underserved or rural areas.

 

[jHustle]

I'll lie about not caring about money and wanting to work in underserved or rural areas.

One of the realest posts I've seen on SDN.

 

[NightGod]

All that said, 100K is a pretty reasonable estimate if you're not looking to work 20 hours a week/3 months out of the year.

 

[circulus vitios]

One of the realest posts I've seen on SDN.

It's funny how everyone pledges to serve underserved areas...yet the areas still remain underserved.

 

[tn4596]

I doubt anyone will take ur pledge of going to the underserved area seriously if you grew up all ur life in a city/urban/suburban area or have any real experience to back it up...they will know that you are "playing the game" if you just throw it out like that...its best to avoid the topic altogether by diverting to another topic.

 

[Oxer45]

Actually at the start of the century (1900's), being a doctor was respectable but not profitable. Then somehow we got all the homeopaths out of the business (they represented 50% of "doctors"). And there was also a doctor shortage around WWII. After that being a doctor was very profitable.

 

[mr chievous]

If the average salary for a physician was 50K, I guarantee you that medical school wouldn't be nearly as competitive. I wouldn't be surprised if half of the people matriculating each year are doing it for the money or pride. Of course on SDN, everyone here is an angel and they want to help people, but this isn't indicative of the overall population.

 

[DrDori]

there are many other reasons to be a doctor besides money !

it's respectable
you get to help people.. in a purely selfish way it makes you feel great about yourself
you actually have very good knowledge that helps you justify why you r so awesome and better than others ! it's self-deception but i see it works for most doctors !

so the perqs dont stop.. again utterly selfish motivations... and completely honest !

i decided i wanted to be a doctor when i had my baby.. she is the most adorable creature in the world.. this is probably the single experience that taught me the value of human life.. hence, the real good behind being a doctor ! but i do acknowledge and welcome the rest of the selfish reasons !

 

[Fight]

OP,

I think you know that your main reasons for going into medicine should be because you love it and you think it will make you happy, regardless of pay. Take a deep look at yourself and answer that question first. If you do it for reasons like money or prestige, you just won't be satisfied.

I went to the ER once and the doctor asked me what I was going to do after college. I said I was pre-med and she said, "God no, it's not worth it. Especially after obamacare you won't get paid ****." When I was shadowing at a hospital, a pathologist I was with wouldn't stop bitching about his loans and how he should have been a PA.

Be secure in the fact that you will have a comfortable living. You won't be poor. But you won't be rich. And you really can't put an exact number like 100k on there and expect promises to be filled.

I think most people who go into medicine take money, security, and respect from others into account. But think of them as perks. If you really wanted to make decent money and security and respect, go be an engineer or a CPA.

.

 

[OREdwardsJR]

If the average salary for a physician was 50K, I guarantee you that medical school wouldn't be nearly as competitive. I wouldn't be surprised if half of the people matriculating each year are doing it for the money or pride. Of course on SDN, everyone here is an angel and they want to help people, but this isn't indicative of the overall population.

Yea', it's becoming funny now. Every time money is brought up (mostly) pre-meds coming running with a TLDR post about how you should not care about the money and solely want to help people. I guess they're just getting practice in for their interviews.

 

[jHustle]

How do you know that for sure? Did you become a doctor for the money or prestige and ended up unsatisfied? Oh wait, you're just a pre med talking out of his ass.

 

[Fight]

Haha, I'm actually watching that movie now. 👍

 

[235788]

How do you know that for sure? Did you become a doctor for the money or prestige and ended up unsatisfied? Oh wait, you're just a pre med talking out of his ass.

zing!


Jobs aren't "fun," and few people are happy with theirs. I'd rather be a doctor than work in a cubicle all day, and I'll also get paid more being a doc. win win.

 

[NickNaylor]

It's funny how everyone pledges to serve underserved areas...yet the areas still remain underserved.

Amazing how that works isn't it? Everyone has a bleeding heart until the rubber hits the road and people are looking at their "real world" issues awaiting them as soon as they graduate.

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos)

 

[kpcrew]

I'll lie about not caring about money and wanting to work in underserved or rural areas.

I feel like I should have done this.

 

[circulus vitios]

I feel like I should have done this.

I've lived in a rural town my entire life. My volunteering and shadowing "inspired" me to become a doctor and "make a difference" in small towns like the one I grew up in...or something.

 

[tn4596]

Amazing how that works isn't it? Everyone has a bleeding heart until the rubber hits the road and people are looking at their "real world" issues awaiting them as soon as they graduate.

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos)

dont hate the players, hate the game

if they double the salary for doctor in the underserved area, that area wont be underserved anymore...it is rly just suply and demand

 

[circulus vitios]

dont hate the players, hate the game

if they double the salary for doctor in the underserved area, that area wont be underserved anymore...it is rly just suply and demand

Underserved areas typically pay more than non-underserved areas. It turns out that educated professionals don't want to live in the middle of nowhere or in a ghetto hellhole. What a surprise, right?

 

[da8s0859q]

But, honestly, is it ok to be pursuing medicine for, of course, to help people, but also be influenced by the job security and respect(from family, peers,etc) that a doc receives?

And taking away the malpractice, taxes, debt... is it fair to say a doctor will make at least $100,000/year?

And yes, money is a factor, but only because with this much time and sacrifice put in, its only fair to receive enough payment to pay off debt, and be paid well.

Yes, it is; yes, a doctor will almost always make >$100k/year; and yes, most of us feel that way.

I think you know that your main reasons for going into medicine should be because you love it and you think it will make you happy, regardless of pay. Take a deep look at yourself and answer that question first. If you do it for reasons like money or prestige, you just won't be satisfied.

I don't entirely disagree, but I would argue that your assumptions about job satisfaction as a premed may not be the same as your criteria for satisfaction a few years from now, when you're staring down the barrels of a student loan balance to the tune of $150k+ and start seeing the salaries and lifestyles of some of the more competitive specialties.

Besides, at the end of the day, people do sometimes put aside what they truly love to get a job that will not only pay the bills and/or allow the lifestyle they want, but will also give them the means to do those other things.

Most of us went into medicine with lots of good intentions, but that doesn't mean that other things don't matter.

 

[tn4596]

Underserved areas typically pay more than non-underserved areas. It turns out that educated professionals don't want to live in the middle of nowhere or in a ghetto hellhole. What a surprise, right?

judging from the lack of physicians there, i think they need to pay doc much more money. But i guess to people living in the ghetto, healthcare is not a primary concern.

 

[Charles Darwin]

I've lived in a rural town my entire life. My volunteering and shadowing "inspired" me to become a doctor and "make a difference" in small towns like the one I grew up in...or something.

Hmm...yes...

 

[MT Headed]

I've lived in a rural town my entire life. My volunteering and shadowing "inspired" me to become a doctor and "make a difference" in small towns like the one I grew up in...or something.

Yeah I tried that angle, and wound up getting rejected at each school whose mission is to serve the rural underserved. Whatever. Their loss.

 

[Doctor246853]

Yeah I tried that angle, and wound up getting rejected at each school whose mission is to serve the rural underserved. Whatever. Their loss.

My mouth watered a little when I read your mdapp...

 

[Adrenaline21]

Yes, it is; yes, a doctor will almost always make >$100k/year; and yes, most of us feel that way.



I don't entirely disagree, but I would argue that your assumptions about job satisfaction as a premed may not be the same as your criteria for satisfaction a few years from now, when you're staring down the barrels of a student loan balance to the tune of $150k+ and start seeing the salaries and lifestyles of some of the more competitive specialties.

Besides, at the end of the day, people do sometimes put aside what they truly love to get a job that will not only pay the bills and/or allow the lifestyle they want, but will also give them the means to do those other things.

Most of us went into medicine with lots of good intentions, but that doesn't mean that other things don't matter.

Thanks. And exactly, I have good intentions going in, but again, these things matter to me. I think its fine to look at the compensation and thus I was asking how much is realistic for a doc. I don't mind working 80 hours a week, its something that comes with the job.



Its mostly about getting compensated well so that I don't have to worry about money, not living the life of luxury, but having enough so its not an issue.

 

[Adrenaline21]

Honestly, there are other ways make money that also don't have such a demanding schedule. It's not shameful to want a decent salary after going through all of this, but it shouldn't a person's primary reason.

And its not, but I believe its still an important aspect.