Do you want a 9 to 5 job?

[GoodmanBrown]

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I'm really curious to know how many pre-meds want a straightforward 9 to 5 type doctor job. This will be somewhat tied to specialty as outpatient is more regular and inpatient would be odder hours.

But, ignoring that, what hours do you hope to work once you're an attending physician?

 

[Everglide]

I would be happy with 8 to 5. Some weekends as needed.

 

[elektroshok]

If you think that any job (including medicine) is going to be strictly 9-5 then you obviously have never worked in a professional setting.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

If you think that any job (including medicine) is going to be strictly 9-5 then you obviously have never worked in a professional setting.

It's funny that you say that, seeing as I'm 29 and have worked and excelled in several professional settings. I'm well aware that no job is strictly 9-5, but medicine allows a variety that is largely unavailable in other professional settings. That is the just of the question. But thanks anyhow...

 

[elektroshok]

It's funny that you say that, seeing as I'm 29 and have worked and excelled in several professional settings. I'm well aware that no job is strictly 9-5, but medicine allows a variety that is largely unavailable in other professional settings. That is the just of the question. But thanks anyhow...

I wasn't referring to you specifically. Just in general that a lot or pre-meds have never had a real job and think you can get away in any career with 40hrs/wk...

But thanks...

And to answer the question, I will be willing to work whatever hours it takes out of residency to establish myself/practice and build it up enough that i can 'retire' at a decent age and work as little or as much as I would like.

 

[softmed]

If I wanted a 9 to 5 job I wouldn't want to be a doctor. The only way you can classify doctor as being 9 to 5 is if you don't count being on call (with some exceptions).

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I get bored and depressed with strict routine, so I don't think I'd like a 9-5 job. I hate knowing almost exactly what's going to happen the next day! That doesn't mean I want to work 80 hours a week for the rest of my life, but it's nice to have some variety.

 

[NickNaylor]

While I'm younger I don't think I'll mind working odd hours, but once I'm married and have kids I'll want to work more "normal" hours.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

If I wanted a 9 to 5 job I wouldn't want to be a doctor. The only way you can classify doctor as being 9 to 5 is if you don't count being on call (with some exceptions).

Call has several flavors (home, phone-only/home, come-in/in house), so the permutations were too much for a poll. The fact still stands that there are few places outside of medicine where you can work 96 hours in one week, then take off the entire next week, or work in the middle of the night and never come in during the day. So, vote if you're interested, or don't.

 

[boaz]

No 7 to 6+ option?

 

[GoodmanBrown]

No 7 to 6+ option?

Not really. I was trying to shoehorn medical specialties into your typical 9-5 schedule. As previous posters have pointed out, it has its limitations.

I guess if you're interested in surgery, you could just put "I don't care; I just wanna be a doctor," indicating you don't care if you have a life outside of medicine.

Just kidding. Or not. 😉

 

[boaz]

Not really. I was trying to shoehorn medical specialties into your typical 9-5 schedule. As previous posters have pointed out, it has its limitations.

I guess if you're interested in surgery, you could just put "I don't care; I just wanna be a doctor," indicating you don't care if you have a life outside of medicine.

Just kidding. Or not. 😉

Hell no! 😱

 

[EMS5]

Part of my attraction to emergency medicine is the scheduling...I enjoy a good mix of overnights, days, weekends, and swing shifts...and best of all....NO CALL!!!!

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Hell no! 😱

Well, not you personally, just those interested in general.

(The ninja is there just for fun. No particular reason.)

 

[apumic]

You do realize the hours you put on that poll are totally unrealistic for 90% of the specialties out there, right?

 

[GoodmanBrown]

You do realize the hours you put on that poll are totally unrealistic for 90% of the specialties out there, right?

Please see above.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You do realize the hours you put on that poll are totally unrealistic for 90% of the specialties out there, right?

while unrealistic.. its nice to dream of working a set 9 to 5..

 

[apumic]

Please see above.

Fair enough; however, what is a "normal 9-5"-like specialty? I really can't think of many ...maybe PCP w/ NO call or derm. Most get call and will work hours more along the lines of 7am-7pm with call 7pm-7am. In addition, many sr attendings work in administrative positions, are on committees, moonlight on the side, have a private practice in addition to working in the hospital, do some pharm work on the side, etc.

 

[DrMom]

Anesthesiology as mostly 9-5? I don't know a single anesthesiologist who can show up at 9. And keep in mind that they work with surgeons, who work all hours of the day and night.

 

[boaz]

Fair enough; however, what is a "normal 9-5"-like specialty? I really can't think of many ...maybe PCP w/ NO call or derm. Most get call and will work hours more along the lines of 7am-7pm with call 7pm-7am. In addition, many sr attendings work in administrative positions, are on committees, moonlight on the side, have a private practice in addition to working in the hospital, do some pharm work on the side, etc.

Well said.

Anesthesiology as mostly 9-5? I don't know a single anesthesiologist who can show up at 9. And keep in mind that they work with surgeons, who work all hours of the day and night.

Yea, I thought most anesthesiologists start work at like 6AM. 😴

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Well said.



Yea, I thought most anesthesiologists start work at like 6AM. 😴

Sigh.