The largest problem with podiatry is the job market. Yah that is a pretty major problem to have. There is not much of one if we are being honest. We are not a mainstream in demand commodity where almost anyone anywhere at anytime can get a fairly good and fairly typical compensation package that typically includes a nice signing bonus, relocation assistance and loan repayment assistance.
The supply and demand of podiatry versus other medical specialties if you include us in that category is absolutely shocking and those who say otherwise are in denial, ignorant or lying.
I am not saying podiatry has no redeeming qualities or it can not work out wonderfully for some. That being said, it is asking an awful lot for potential students to put in the time and expense this profession requires only to face a poor job market where most will still have to create their own opportunity.
There are no easy paths to success and other professions have their pros/cons sure, but most of the desirable other MD/DO career alternatives (PA, CRNA, CAA) are less expensive, less time consuming and offer a good job market. Perhaps many DPM applicants these days would not be accepted to those programs either so there is that also. Almost anyone who could graduate podiatry school though should certainly be capable of getting their BSN and advance that degree to a NP. You can get a BSN as a 4 year college degree and spend 2 more years to become NP. It is not known to be a rigorous curriculum and many work while getting their NP. CRNA programs ban working while in the programs, but those are actually intense programs.
I am not rooting against podiatry or trying to scare anyone away (do your own research), but the ROI and job market need to improve for podiatry to make more sense to more potential applicants. The good, mediocre and bad potential applicants to podiatry schools these days all have tempting alternative career options. I just don’t see the alternative career options becoming less desirable anytime soon. I also do not see things significantly improving for podiatry unless the “application crisis“ to podiatry schools continues for a very long time.
