Thread: Should I become a doctor just for the money?

I didn't know where to put this thread, you can move it if you feel necessary. So I heard that becoming a doctor for the money is not worth the effort, but is this really true? I mean the effort in getting a job with 150k+ salary is very difficult if you are going into other fields.

I've finished my undergrad in Biology and my only options are either to go to the carribean next semester or go to grad school and then to med school, which just seems to stretch the time to becoming a doctor to ridiculous lengths. I've never really enjoyed medicine, but when looking at other career paths, I've found that I primarily look at what the salary would be. Becoming a doctor would take 6 more years of schooling including residency, and going back to school to follow another career path would take a similar amount of time, but I would get a lower salary. If I were to be an economist for example, I would have to redo my bachelor's which would take 2 years, and then take 3+ years of grad school. And I would have to make it BIG in any field I was in to even reach the starting doctor's salary.

EDIT: I guess I could get an MBA, which would take 4 years tops, but meh for 2 more years of schooling/residency I would make more as a doctor I think.

Totally agree with the majority of the opinions. Plus people working only for the money is what gives the bad reputation to doctors who actually like their jobs and care their patients

No don't do that

No.. One doesnt necessarily becomes doctor just for money ,but if you are a doctor and earning right way so its not bad at all.

Devildoc, drrich, and axiom have raised very valid points in this thread. When I talk to medical students and residents deciding what they went to specialize in (or sub-specialize in as the case may be) I make a point to discuss income and work-life balance. Some people in medicine, especially colleagues in academia, tend to frown upon discussions of the financial aspects of medicine, but I think these discussions are very valuable. I would discourage anyone from going into medicine 'to get rich', but think that many who choose medicine are influenced by the job security this field offers. Even if reimbursements continue to decline (which they certainly will), you will likely always have a job. You likely wont make 500k in San Francisco, but you should be able to find work.

Make sure you carefully weigh the sacrifices medicine requires in the balance of ultimate career satisfaction. Medicine is very rewarding, but it demands more than most people realize. If you doubt that, just look at divorce statistics in physicians, or spend some time with a 'medical spouse'. A colleague recently told me that he asked the son of a prominent physician at our institution if he wanted to go into medicine like his dad. The son replied emphatically, "No. I want to be there for my family".

Lastly, remember that getting an MBA or similar degree is no automatic ticket to success. Studies have shown that the workforce is becoming progressively more educated/qualified, but that doesn't automatically translate into a higher income. Most of the extremely successful men and women in any field work extremely hard and are very good at what they do. Having an advanced degree might help you secure a job, but even that is not guaranteed.

Originally Posted by stledmonds15

there isn't a lot of money to made in medicine these days unless you are a specialist.

Have you never heard of a hospitalist before?

OP, please don't go into medicine, that's one more space in the NRMP for me and the people that work hard/deserve it.

Money is all that matters

I realize that you are trolling, but that doesn't mesh with the realities of all of the really miserable wealthy people I have met... and there have been plenty.

Originally Posted by Craigslist

Money is all that matters