So, would you do it again?

[Sartre79]

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There has been quite a few threads lately that have put a very negative spin on the medical school/residency process. I was wondering what the general consensus was among those that have completed, or are near completing their residency/medical education etc. Would you do it again? Is the process worth it? Is it horrible? so on etc. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[fuzzyerin]

I wouldn't want to go though it again, but I love medicine and couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. The farther you get away from the years that are hard (1st & 2nd) and into the fun ones (3rd and especially 4th), it doesn't seem so bad.

Course, I am scared out of my mind about intern year....but I can't wait either.

 

[Jeff05]

now, i'm just a 4th year going into anesthesia. i don't think i would do this again, in a row. but, knowing what i now know, would i go back in time and repeat the process? abso-fu4king-lutely!!!!

yea, med school was challenging. but, i made good friends, had fun, and lived life. i mean the time would have passed regardless.

now i'm 25. going to get MD in 4 months. starting a residency during which i'll be able to have a life and make some cash moonlighting. my friends that went to business school or law school or are teaching or whatever are doing their thing, working hard, and i'm doing mine. except, i love what i do and in 5 year will be making ludicrous sums of money doing it.

that's just me. i have the main base covered - happiness. once you got that down, it's all gravy.

There has been quite a few threads lately that have put a very negative spin on the medical school/residency process. I was wondering what the general consensus was among those that have completed, or are near completing their residency/medical education etc. Would you do it again? Is the process worth it? Is it horrible? so on etc. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

probably not, but then again, I never went thru it in the first place

 

[dr_almondjoy_do]

I am in my third year now, and I couldn't see myself doing anything else. And I'm not even getting paid for it! There is never a dull moment (even when sitting around waiting for time to pass).

First and second year were pretty awefull though. But I can't even remember all the times I suffered.

 

[roja]

I think that what you are seeing is selection bias. Often when you are frustrated in residency, forums like this allow you to vent. It can be cathartic to come anonymously, vent and have others validate your frustrations.

Those of us that are generally happy don't feel the need to vent as much.

I *absolutely* love what I do. Do I want to repeat med school? hell no. but I loooooved it while I did it.

I loved what I was learning, I had fun a good chunk of the time, and I can't imagine doing anything else.

 

[Fantasy Sports]

I think that what you are seeing is selection bias. Often when you are frustrated in residency, forums like this allow you to vent. It can be cathartic to come anonymously, vent and have others validate your frustrations.

Those of us that are generally happy don't feel the need to vent as much.

I *absolutely* love what I do. Do I want to repeat med school? hell no. but I loooooved it while I did it.

I loved what I was learning, I had fun a good chunk of the time, and I can't imagine doing anything else.

I agree 100%.

No one ever starts a thread "Oh today was a most glorious day in the office!" I mean, that's no fun. Plus its annoying.

But people WILL whine on SDN because its anonymous and people are much more likely to whine about something than say it is positive. That's pure psychology (like with poor grocery workers, most people will only file complaints. you almost never get a positive compliment submitted to your boss).

 

[Blade28]

Absolutely. The interview trail was tough, but it'll ultimately be worth it.

 

[cytoborg]

I definitely had moments of doubt and frustration and some dark times that I thought would never end, but overall I'm glad I did it. Would I do it over? Literally, heck no...but if you're asking whether I could go back in time would I still choose medicine, then yes, I definitely would. 🙂

 

[Vince]

I don't think I would do it again, or maybe I would have done it differently. I am hoping to match radiology because I do find that one single specialty interesting. As far as everything else in med school has gone, I despise it all. I actually enjoyed 1st and 2nd year more than 3rd and 4th because I felt I was learning. I really don't see how I would be happy in the least if I had to do any sort of clinical medicine.

I am not happy about who I have become, because I honestly was not as deppressed or indifferent four years ago. To anyone who is considering going into medicine, think long and hard about it. Talk to as many doctors/residents/medical students as you can and look into different specialties. It is a long, arduous journey to undertake if you won't be happy in the end.

Congratulations and I am truly envious of all the above posters who are so satisfied with their career choice. Thanks for allowing me to vent.

 

[Smurfette]

I don't think I would do it again, or maybe I would have done it differently. I am hoping to match radiology because I do find that one single specialty interesting. As far as everything else in med school has gone, I despise it all. I actually enjoyed 1st and 2nd year more than 3rd and 4th because I felt I was learning. I really don't see how I would be happy in the least if I had to do any sort of clinical medicine.

I am not happy about who I have become, because I honestly was not as deppressed or indifferent four years ago. To anyone who is considering going into medicine, think long and hard about it. Talk to as many doctors/residents/medical students as you can and look into different specialties. It is a long, arduous journey to undertake if you won't be happy in the end.

Congratulations and I am truly envious of all the above posters who are so satisfied with their career choice. Thanks for allowing me to vent.

I wouldn't do it again either. Honestly, I think I've changed for the worse in med school personality-wise. I've lost a lot of curiosity and interest that I used to have since getting here. But I am an exception, most people are VERY happy with their decision. I don't know if this was the best career decision for me (I hope so), but I won't know until I give it a whirl.

 

[Lonestar]

Would do it over again, and would not change a thing. I am currently an intern in anesthesiology and just lovin' it. 3.3 more years to go till being happy and financially secure. Med school was tough especially in the 3rd year, but then came the 4th year to relieve the pain. Now I am in internship into my 8th month and have had a relatively nice, cush path so far (thank god for the transitional year!). Looking forward to my vacation weeks in march and April. Can't wait till the rest of my life begins this july. 😀

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Love being a doctor, love helping patients. Had a great time in residency.
Be warned however, although the checks are nice, I am working a HELL OF A LOT HARDER as a first-year attending than I ever did as a resident! (I do get to sleep in my own bed at night, though--and only work 4 weekends a year!) Pick your specialty carefully!

 

[jannakins]

I am a fourth year and I have really enjoyed med school. I have had time for lots of fun even with the crazy hours. Each year got better, and now fourth year is the greatest! Were there hard times? definitely. Were some tears shed? At times, and looking back they usually were over stupid stuff. I feel lucky that I fell into a profession that I truly enjoy. It is not for everyone, but medical school can be a fun and rewarding experience.

 

[timtye78]

Would do it over again, and would not change a thing. I am currently an intern in anesthesiology and just lovin' it. 3.3 more years to go till being happy and financially secure. Med school was tough especially in the 3rd year, but then came the 4th year to relieve the pain. Now I am in internship into my 8th month and have had a relatively nice, cush path so far (thank god for the transitional year!). Looking forward to my vacation weeks in march and April. Can't wait till the rest of my life begins this july. 😀

Hey I think I talked to you before. Where are you in anesthesiology? Are the one who went to TCOM?

 

[FelicityShagwel]

There has been quite a few threads lately that have put a very negative spin on the medical school/residency process. I was wondering what the general consensus was among those that have completed, or are near completing their residency/medical education etc. Would you do it again? Is the process worth it? Is it horrible? so on etc. Any insight is appreciated.

it has been the best of times, it has been the worst of times (and i mean bad)... but would i do it over again? abso-f-ing-lutely!

 

[CambieMD]

I graduated from med school 9 years ago. I have had good times and bad times , very bad times. The demands placed on physicians are often unrealistic. All of that said, I am proud of myself for making it through med school and hanging in there. Yes, I would go to med school again.

The practice of medicine is brutal. It can take a lot of getting use to.
Do not think that you will be on easy street because you are a doctor. All of your problems will not go away once you start med school.

Expect a dog fight and you will not be taken off guard when things fail to just fall into place.

The truth is that nothing in life is easy. The only thing that takes no effort is getting fat. Just sit there minding your own business and the pounds will appear.

If you do not plan to leave medicine stop complaining and do something about your unhappiness.

CambieMD

p.s.
I find some of the strong language unbecoming of physicians.

 

[LADoc00]

I graduated from med school 9 years ago. I have had good times and bad times , very bad times. The demands placed on physicians are often unrealistic. All of that said, I am proud of myself for making it through med school and hanging in there. Yes, I would go to med school again.

The practice of medicine is brutal. It can take a lot of getting use to.
Do not think that you will be on easy street because you are a doctor. All of your problems will not go away once you start med school.

Expect a dog fight and you will not be taken off guard when things fail to just fall into place.

The truth is that nothing in life is easy. The only thing that takes no effort is getting fat. Just sit there minding your own business and the pounds will appear.

If you do not plan to leave medicine stop complaining and do something about your unhappiness.

CambieMD

p.s.
I find some of the strong language unbecoming of physicians.

I would use harsher words than"brutal", I would invoke imagery of have your colon scrubbed with a live porcupine thats been wired on amphetamines.