I have about 190K. I'm a first year resident, living at home with family through residency. At an average program. Residents done with numbers at the end of 2nd year. Average salary over the 3 years will be about 74k. I am also at a program where the 3 years would qualify towards PSFL.... With that said, I am aggressively paying off my loans. My goal is to have 80k left at the end of the 3 years and I will open up my own practice as soon as possible in a cheaper state. Probably after working as an associate for maximum 2 years to pay the rest off, and save for practice.
I went to podiatry school knowing exactly what I was getting myself into. I was a horrible college student, partied way too much, but had a good mind when it came to the sciences. I really had no other career options that I could see myself being happy in. I can't actually thank this forum enough because I used to read it all the time as a premed student trying to decide what I was going to do. It's because of this forum I knew exactly what I was getting into. I really enjoy what I do on the day to day in podiatry, but I would laugh at anyone debating this field if they had another option. Just too much sacrifice for the financial reward. I mean be reasonable. For me though, a person with no other option, it's been worth it. Likely because, I have never had a problem with being referred to as a podiatrist haha.
I want to be successful, and I know I can do it. I'm going to focus on becoming great in disciplines the common public expects a podiatrist to be excellent in. I'll build my referral network and so on and so forth, and I have other ideas for my practice also that I think are somewhat original. I don't care if the first year I make 50k, at least I'll give it a shot and 15-20 years down the line who knows maybe I won't have to work anymore or worst case I'll be with the rest of the 'Foot and ankle surgeons' in a regular associate job, with my debt paid off.
To me a hospital job is just too much headache for what you are paid, plain and simple. You are performing surgery on very sick people. MSG would probably be the most enjoyable out of all of em in my opinion, but I would never rely on it given the job market. Ortho group.... you have to know someone most likely to get it, and hopefully you like that someone, cause you'll be with them the rest of your career. I'm sure for every situation theres a right place right time, etc.
Don't get me wrong I really do enjoy surgery. I think its awesome, I mean to get to see the anatomy with your own eyes minimum 3-400 times in a residency program is a privilege. As stated above though, not worth the stress when considering the financials. It's also just risking more of your life...to pursue the fellowship and the additional training. You might even be prolonging your eventual retirement if all that training doesn't earn you more money... life is short... I already am getting gray hairs.
Also, podiatry school should only be 3 years long, the residency should only be 2 years for most programs considering where most graduates end up. My entire 4th year of podiatry school was spent not even at the school............................. Some of the residencies are just straight up criminal with their numbers. Like how about just be honest and say "hey come here, it's a chill program, and you'll save a year to become a practitioner and can do bunions and hammertoes." I'm sure some students are actually looking for that.
rant over 🙂
