Agree. A lot will eventually do well in a couple years. I wouldn’t compare podiatry to PA/RN in regards to money alone.
I would say that those degrees do offer the ability to change jobs frequently/move across the country/increase salary vs podiatry. They also allow for potential remote positions.
As a second generation pod I would highly discourage any of my kids to go into podiatry and would recommend CRNA instead.
RNs do have an easier time getting non-clinical work too...
For sure.
I really think even basic RN is pretty good (make more than a tradesman on averaged, not so hard on the body, student loans very minimal, jobs EVERYWHERE).
It depends what one's long term plan is (prestige, challenge, etc... versus simple ROI and job options and maybe FIRE). It is hard to be in school so, long come out negative... AND have pretty limited job options in most areas as podiatry. You basically figure BSRN route finishes school at 21 or 22 with maybe $50k 7% debt and $100k-$150k earn power... or DPM finishing training around age 30 with $300k+ 7% debt and maybe $150k-$250k earn power. That lost time and compounding interest is a backbreaker. The $300k or $400k podiatry student loan easily turns into $500k-750k in total or more once it's actually paid off. Interest is a mofo.
I know I'd absolutely have hit my FIRE goal of about 2.5M stock/cash (no kids and some real estate paid off, so we can do that) a whole lot faster with RN and probably lived in better places along the way, and that's simply due to the flipping the lever from debt to stocks gaining at a lot younger age. It still works out anyways with podiatry as long as you live fairly frugal and pay the big DPM debt (which now gets bigger every single year, though). If you make $200k, live $150k lifestyle, and pay
loan minimums with the DPM route, you are toast (but same could be said for RN or anything).
And again... high income spouse ftw. Every time, twice on Sundays.
... I don't think going to conferences (ACFAS or otherwise) is a good use of your time when trying to get jobs. My experience is that you'll only get private practice offers at best - and if that's what you're looking for, better to go to regional/local conferences instead if you have a particular location in mind.
For sure. ACFAS, in Feb or Mar, is also basically too late for 3rd year residents (which are who most programs send to ACFAS).
It's a cool meeting, but you are more likely to just meet other residents/fellows you are applying against for the maybe 4 podiatrist jobs that pay ok listed on podiatrycareers than you you are to meet a legit job lead or posting.
Unless it's fully paid for, you are better just visiting your target area and going to a state/local pod meeting... or better yet, set up visits with a few groups or a hospital(s) there during a week or long weekend pgy2. I heard the "find jobs at ACFAS" a few times as a student - even at good programs - but I sure don't see it (your residency program is either connected, or it isn't). Some programs get a good amount of letters for job posts sent to director/office (variable quality jbos), and others don't... most are on their own.
ACFAS is mostly students/residents/fellows and hospital pods. Most hospital/msg pods only want to control who among interviews gets hired (they don't decide who applies or when to hire). The PP pods there are usually just relaxing and enjoying the city and a break, not really looking to hire... although you never know.
