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Alexandra
Student
Scranton, Pennsylvania
5
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What's the hardest thing about being a doctor?
I'm a junior in HS and I want to go to med school and be a neurosurgeon. #neurosurgeon #doctor #surgeon #surgery #physician
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2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Alexandra there are a number of benefits to becoming a surgeon. The job has a high salary and is highly regarded both within and outside of the medical community. There are ample options for advancement for many surgeons, particularly those who specialize in particular kinds of surgery. Helping people to recover from serious illnesses is also an aspect of the work that many surgeons find rewarding.
On the other hand, being a surgeon can be extremely stressful. The fact that patients' lives are often reliant on surgeons puts an enormous amount of pressure on those who work in this field. Many surgeons will also experience a patient dying during or after a surgery at least once in their careers, which can be extremely psychologically challenging for many people. A medical career can be highly emotional and draining. While some incredible highs comes with saving lives, once you begin practicing, it can take a toll on your emotional well-being when you encounter patients whom you can't save. That—paired with the long hours, difficult procedures, stressful work environment, and overwhelming responsibility—often lead to depression or at the very least anxiety problems.
Not only do surgeons undergo up to 15 years (or more) of schooling and training, they often must work long hours, too. This can interfere with one's personal life, limiting the amount of time the surgeon has to spend with family and friends. The workload of a surgeon is extraordinary. Surgeons typically get up early, check on patients, attend meetings, perform surgeries and then have notes and other paperwork to complete. They may have additional responsibilities such as training new doctors, doing research and writing and publishing papers on their research. This leaves little downtime and makes it difficult to balance life and work. Long hours and the stress of dealing with life and death decisions lead to burnout.
Surgeons are highly respected and fulfilling, but the career is not for everyone. The long hours, huge student debt, stressful work, and years of educational preparation can deter those not dedicated to the field. However, being a surgeon comes with its fair share of advantages like a high salary, rewarding life work, and actually getting to make a difference in the world.
Hope this was helpful Alexandra
On the other hand, being a surgeon can be extremely stressful. The fact that patients' lives are often reliant on surgeons puts an enormous amount of pressure on those who work in this field. Many surgeons will also experience a patient dying during or after a surgery at least once in their careers, which can be extremely psychologically challenging for many people. A medical career can be highly emotional and draining. While some incredible highs comes with saving lives, once you begin practicing, it can take a toll on your emotional well-being when you encounter patients whom you can't save. That—paired with the long hours, difficult procedures, stressful work environment, and overwhelming responsibility—often lead to depression or at the very least anxiety problems.
Not only do surgeons undergo up to 15 years (or more) of schooling and training, they often must work long hours, too. This can interfere with one's personal life, limiting the amount of time the surgeon has to spend with family and friends. The workload of a surgeon is extraordinary. Surgeons typically get up early, check on patients, attend meetings, perform surgeries and then have notes and other paperwork to complete. They may have additional responsibilities such as training new doctors, doing research and writing and publishing papers on their research. This leaves little downtime and makes it difficult to balance life and work. Long hours and the stress of dealing with life and death decisions lead to burnout.
Surgeons are highly respected and fulfilling, but the career is not for everyone. The long hours, huge student debt, stressful work, and years of educational preparation can deter those not dedicated to the field. However, being a surgeon comes with its fair share of advantages like a high salary, rewarding life work, and actually getting to make a difference in the world.
Hope this was helpful Alexandra
Thank You Mark. “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pike
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Alexandra! I am still on the path to being a physician but from my own experience and from the experience that I have seen with my siblings, I think the hardest thing would be the amount of time it takes and the sacrifices required. My siblings have put a lot of work and effort into being a physician and I think the hardest is the amount of time it takes. It is an effort requiring process and sometimes you have to sacrifice fun times to sitting at home and studying. It is such a worthwhile process to help a patient and make a difference as a healthcare professional and therefore the individuals on this path definitely do it for good reasons. I've had so many people tell me the amount of income I will be making as a physician but for me, that meant nothing because the amount of time and effort one puts into being a physician no amount of money can hold the value of. You have to love what you do in order to pursue this path especially in times of obstacles, like having difficulty in a class or being rejected from a medical school, for example.
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!