Personally, I would rather attend graduate school and become a PsyD/PhD who can competently and comprehensively assess, evaluate, diagnose, psychotherapy, RxP, research, etc. but make less money then a psychiatrists (currently) then go to med school and become a psychiatrist after 8 long yrs. Post BA/BS and eventually become a practitioner whose primary role is a medication manager.
Money is becoming a major discussion in these forums mostly by people who, for some reason or another, have decided to jump the fence to psychiatry and are encouraging others to follow their footstep.
People who are going into psychology are doing it, hopefully, for reasons other then just money. I am personally earning my PsyD to be able to help others in more ways then just medications; I would like to offer them more choices. Additionally, I believe that psychology is evolving and new ideas will help generate new comprehensive ways of tx the pt and gain more income, e.g. RxP. If you can become a competent psychologist and form a niche for yourself, money will come.
The few individuals that have decided to jump the fence from psychology to psychiatry, I wish you all good luck but try not to attempt to justify your actions in your own heads by attempting to persuade other psychology majors to pursue your goals. This form of propaganda regarding psychology is not necessary and it should not be allowed to continue.
So, for all interested in pursuing a career in psychology do not just disregard it because of the $$$$$. Do what you see yourselves doing in the future as practitioners and do it because you enjoy its principles. Money will come if your persistent and others can trust you.
