IM vs Anesthesiology <-> Prestige vs Salary

[usermike8500]

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Which would irritate you more?

1. Becoming an Anesthesiologist only to have the public think you're a CRNA.
2. Becoming an Internist only to earn a salary that's less than a CRNA's.

I enjoyed my clerkships in both these fields and can't decide which specialty to pursue. I loved the acuity of care and procedures of Anesthesiology but enjoyed the patient interaction and variety of Internal Medicine. Although I don't care that much about prestige and salary, I feel like these (minor) considerations may serve as the tie breaker to shift my career plans to follow either one of these two great fields.

(Of course, there is nothing wrong with CRNAs or any other high-payed, well-respected mid-level provider. But wouldn't it bother you, to go through 11+ years of training, $250,000+ in debt, 60-80 hour work weeks only to be valued the same or less than clinicians who have endured much less training and debt, and even work far fewer hours?)

Thanks for your input! 🙂

 

[gettheleadout]

lol


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[Slack3r]

Which would irritate you more?

1. Becoming an Anesthesiologist only to have the public think you're a CRNA.
2. Becoming an Internist only to earn a salary that's less than a CRNA's.

I enjoyed my clerkships in both these fields and can't decide which specialty to pursue. I loved the acuity of care and procedures of Anesthesiology but enjoyed the patient interaction and variety of Internal Medicine. Although I don't care that much about prestige and salary, I feel like these (minor) considerations may serve as the tie breaker to shift my career plans to follow either one of these two great fields.

(Of course, there is nothing wrong with CRNAs or any other high-payed, well-respected mid-level provider. But wouldn't it bother you, to go through 11+ years of training, $250,000+ in debt, 60-80 hour work weeks only to be valued the same or less than clinicians who have endured much less training and debt, and even work far fewer hours?)

Thanks for your input! 🙂

There is quite a bit wrong with CRNAs.

 

[NickNaylor]

Which would irritate you more?

1. Becoming an Anesthesiologist only to have the public think you're a CRNA.
2. Becoming an Internist only to earn a salary that's less than a CRNA's.

I enjoyed my clerkships in both these fields and can't decide which specialty to pursue. I loved the acuity of care and procedures of Anesthesiology but enjoyed the patient interaction and variety of Internal Medicine. Although I don't care that much about prestige and salary, I feel like these (minor) considerations may serve as the tie breaker to shift my career plans to follow either one of these two great fields.

(Of course, there is nothing wrong with CRNAs or any other high-payed, well-respected mid-level provider. But wouldn't it bother you, to go through 11+ years of training, $250,000+ in debt, 60-80 hour work weeks only to be valued the same or less than clinicians who have endured much less training and debt, and even work far fewer hours?)

Thanks for your input! 🙂

Do a fellowship after IM and get the best of both worlds? 😕😕

 

[drizzt3117]

Gas... It's only four years and you have a lot of cool fellowship options. CRNAs are great for doing the majority of the monotonous cases anyways.

 

[Lbgem]

Really? Can you read this again please:

"Although I don't care that much about prestige and salary...these (minor) considerations may...shift my career plans."

Doesn't really sound that minor if they're what you use to determine what you're going to be doing for the rest of your life....

+1 to what Nicknaylor said and +1 to what the resident said. Gas seems to be the way to go if you want more $. And do you really care what some random schmuck thinks of your position?

 

[KinasePro]

as already mentioned Cards, Heme/Onc, GI, Pulm/CC will all make similar money to the gas passers. Besides, if you care a lot about prestige you probably wouldn't fit in with the gas folks. They tend to be very laid-back and content w/ their specialty choice.

 

[Pomeshnue]

lol

 

[usermike8500]

Besides, if you care a lot about prestige you probably wouldn't fit in with the gas folks. They tend to be very laid-back and content w/ their specialty choice.

Actually one of the most commonly cited frustrations among the anesthesiologists i worked with was the "behinds the scenes" nature of the job and the fact that they didnt get the same recognition from patients that surgeons enjoyed. It is a "thankless job."

 

[KinasePro]

Actually one of the most commonly cited frustrations among the anesthesiologists i worked with was the "behinds the scenes" nature of the job and the fact that they didnt get the same recognition from patients that surgeons enjoyed. It is a "thankless job."

How old were the anesthesiologists you worked with? I've found that the older gas attendings are more likely to be jaded, and I can't blame them, considering how the field has changed so much during their careers. But the younger generation is pretty level-headed, they knew what they were signing up for and are generally very laid back and content, but YMMV.

I think the drawback you mention is plain as day, and anyone choosing the field accepts that much of the work is "behind the scenes." Keep in mind though, that there is plenty of pre-op patient interaction.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you are doing your job in gas you wont have to hear your patients opinions of you versus a crna.