What do you need to do to become a doctor?

Question

a lot of people tell me it takes many many years of hard work and money to become a doctor. exactly what did you go through to become one? and is it worthwhile? like what is being a doctor like? i'm asking because i'm at the point where i'm trying to decide what i want to do with my life........what kind of person would you recommend become a physician? i was thinking mainly just a general doctor in a hospital, maybe and a trauma specialist like working in an ER.....any tips? thanks for your help =D

Answer 1

well becoming a doctor sure requires alot of hard work...its not necessarily something where you NEED to have alot of money. You can always take out loans and get scholarships which is what most med students do.

this is what im entering college with the prospect of doing. it took me all my high school life to finally reach the conclusion that i wanted to be a doctor.

and yes you're right, this does require a certain personality and perspective, which is something i gained when my grandfather passed away. i had the personal connection i needed to go into the health sciences.

it will take 4 years of competitive and challenging college work to get into med school. the competition is really really tough. u take lots of science courses (the premed requirements) and complete a major in any field (they like liberal arts majors nowadays so if thats what your good at dont be underthe impression that you must major in science)

then u need to take the MCAT (medical college admission test) and do super well.

Then you apply and if u get accepted you spend 4 years in a medical school no matter what kinda doctor u wanna become.

after those four years u enter a residency (u get paid but only enough to barely get by and pay ur loans) to become specialized into a specific type of doctor (like a OB/GYN or a surgeon and so on so forth) so what med school prepares u as is a general physician.

this is all rigorous work. during ur four years of med school will be like waking up at 5 AM going to the hospital working under residents and usually can end up coming home by 2 AM...11 PM is if ur lucky.

so you're working a stressful hectic schedule and studying for exams and all that kind of stuff

tips are to maintain a high average in high school and personally i would say to stay away from expensive undergraduate colleges. this will crash ur parent's bank accounts before you even get to your grad school (which would be med school) if your in new york id recommend a SUNY

from there u can make your way up because any medical school is good and expensive (nothing below $30,000 a year thats alot of money)

but its never coming straight out of ur pockets everyone who does it isnt rich they all take loans and struggle paying them back

good luck

if u are strongly dedicated to doing this then go for it...if u want something badly enough nothing can stop u...but u have to really want it.

Answer 2

Sorry but don't have the time to answer all your questions

but between me and all the others you should get them answered

first of all you will not have any social life from  the end of high school

then to about after 3 years or so (depends of specialty) intern/ residency

All of the Medical shows show more of their daily problems and social life than all the work and tears you will shed

IT is very difficult and requires alot of giving up things like family friends etc.. while in medical school

your life will be classes and study and more study and tests.. tests and more tests.

  In the 80's a family practice doc could make decent cash

but now adays the only way to really make $$ being a dr

is to be a surgeon

  and that takes a skill not all of us have and you may not know

until after med school.

yes some people get used to the blood, etc.

but others dont'

I use to be very squeamish and after nursing school there i was in the ER

Yea I got used to it , but most dont

most Dr's if you ask them knew they wanted to be Dr's from  a young age, some like the social status really not kidding you.

but you have to be a Medical Dr to read an x-ray

so a Radiologist maybe a good profession for you but stil have to go through med school etc.

Have you ever thought about being a Pharmacist???

They make good money without the daily stress of life /death

could you really go up to a mother in the er waiting room

and tell her 5 year old daughter is dead??????

Also another good job is a Phycian's Assistant

a 4 year program and you can writer RX work with a dr as his assistant and his right hand , a dr can see more people when they have one or a Nurse Practiitoner.

Good luck and hope I could help you

there are so many different jobs out there in the Medical Field and there are all important as a DR.