All About The Benjamins
Based on comments from my OB/GYN post, some people believe that I “wasted a spot” in medical school. Yeah, I’ve heard it before – even from some of my classmates. These are the gunners that I routinely piss off by surfing the Halo2 forums while they’re looking up the next article that they can bring in for the team.
Let’s break it down this way – it’s all about the money. I’m finishing school and getting my M.D. for the coin and perks. Plain and simple. As a matter of fact, I love the “so what are you going into” question that I get from residents and attendings whenever I start a new rotation. Most students cringe at this question, hoping that the overworked surgery resident that’s inquiring about your future isn’t going to get pissed and hold it against you if you tell them radiology. I used to tell them “business”, but they would get all smart-ass and probe deeper into my choice. “What kind of business?” “You went to medical school so you can work in business?” “Wow, I can’t believe you did this so you can work in business.” I now respond with something like: “well, I thought about [whatever rotation you're on at the time], but I’ve ultimately decided on utilizing my MBA along with my MD to see how much money I can make. In fact, I’ve already accepted a position with a very competitive salary.” That usually catches them off guard and they typically shut the fuck up about your insane choice to make the most money possible.
Obviously physicians should be compensated. It really chaps my ass to see residents, and especially medical students avoid the money issue. Of course you’re doing this for the money – just admit it. If a law was suddenly passed that capped all physician salaries at $40k per year, how many of your class would be left? Would you stick around? See, that’s my point. Whether you want to admit it or not, money is the driving force. So be proud – you should be compensated for the hell you’ve had to put up with throughout medical school and residency as well as the continued hell of just being a physician once you finish training. Gloat about it, drive the most expensive cars, spend cash like it’s going out of style. Fuck anybody who says you shouldn’t talk about the money. If you’re the type who wants to save the world and volunteer 100% of your time in some free clinic in podunkville, go for it – just stfu about those who want the bling.
Some residents and attendings applaud my choice to do something else other than clinical medicine. These people “get it.” There are more unhappy physicians out there than you realize. Actually, I was quite surprised to see the number of physicians that told me they wished they had done something other than clinical medicine with their M.D. These people have already realized that weekend rounding and pager games with the hospital just isn’t what it used to be.
The ones that get pissed off are those that are hating life because they didn’t have the balls to step up and get out when they had a chance. They’re now forced to the slavery of call schedules, pagers, and 2am phone calls and they don’t like it. The only way to make them feel better about themselves is to belittle others that make unconventional choices – and the med student is an easy target. Why else would they give two shits about what I’m going into? Are they worried that I’m going to have a better life and make more money than they are? This latter group of residents and attendings are the fun ones to piss off. Sure, it reflects in my evaluation but I could care less. Fuck selling out just to please some asshole resident.
C=MD
you are an angry little dude. if you know you are gonna come out on the top, why are you so pissed off? I would sit back and enjoy if C truly = MD.
Uh, some of us actually went into medical school passionate about a field of medicine. It doesn’t mean we’re miserable like you. I actually like med school and it’s so very sad to see that you hate it. SO enjoy your money because no matter how much you have, it will never be enough. If you actually were going into something you enjoyed, you would see why there is more to life than money. I feel really bad for you, because you think money will bring you so much friggin happieness. Sorry to say, I’ve seen money just invoke more greed and suck a person’s morality and soul dry. SO go ahead a be “the greedy doctor” epitomy, because, YOU, my dear, are going to live a very sad existance. I say, yea, money doesnt buy happiness and neither does being dirt poor. But i’ve meet tons of people with little money, no fancy car or big house who have more humanity in thier little finger than most wealthy people have in thier entire body. You will never be truly happy because your selfish materialistic needs will never be filled and you will die a miserable rich lonely man and on your death bed, you will wish you were a better person. SO…Good Luck there buddy, you’ll need it you selfish bastard.
The reason you’re so unhappy may well be that going to medical school is a piss poor idea if you simply want to make a lot of money. As you’re finding out, it’s simply too much work to really be worth it. The only way for it to be worthwhile is (here’s a staggering thought) for you to actually ENJOY WHAT YOU’RE DOING!
You present the ultimate simple minded argument when you claim that the fact that physicians wouldn’t go into medicine for 40k/year means they only think about money. please. As if there aren’t easy ways to make a physician’s salary. Did salary and stability factor into my career choice? Well, of course. I’d have to be a fool not to consider those things. But we don’t all want Hummers and bling. I want enough money that I just don’t have to think about money. I don’t mean buy a huge house and a fancy car–just live comfortably, love my job, love my wife, and not think about money (especially b/c the wife is an MD to be as well).
If you truely just want the money and you hate what you’re doing then the joke is on you because even if you never practice clinical medicine just going through med school was more grief than the money is worth. I shudder to think of how I would do this if I didn’t even like it…
It’s funny to read all the haters ripping on your career decision. Make as much money as you possibly can.
I love reading your blog. As a pre-med. student, I find your brutal honesty to be really refreshing. You should be proud of being practical, versus ideological.
You are a hero. Seriously, don’t let these passionate little angels get you down.
somebody has to tell it how it really is. You rock!!! As a disgruntled medstudent I share your views. Best of luck with everything!!!
Thank you anon =D I try to be real…there’s way too many fakers in medical school and it made me sick.
So I happened across PandaBear MD a few days ago which led me here. Fuck. I’m starting from the beginning and thought I’d echo the rest:
FUCK. THIS. BULLSHIT.
I’m sure you’ll address it, but I’m weighing the pros and cons of tacking on an MBA after graduation and could use any advice.
I don’t like “feelers”.
Hm. I’ve agreed with almost everything you’ve posted up till now. You got too black and white here. I don’t really give a fuck about the money. But I also don’t really give a fuck about helping people. I just want the job. Maybe I’ll end up hating it, but maybe not. So yeah, I’d still be there in class even if the pimply kid at McDonald’s was making more than me.
haha, so many anonymous commenters. Grow a pair you sanctimonious whiners.
Adrian,
If you don’t care about helping people and you don’t care about the money, What do you care about?
I’m guessing you are one of those types that simply loves science and busting your ass to learn about science.
Thats fine but remember, money makes the world go round. Ultimately, you will have more fun and enjoy life more with more money.
My grandmaman dedicated her life to medicine and helping others. She graduate top of her class from Ottawa University, did her residency in Uganda with the Catholic Mission and her and my grandpere opened up a rural clinic here in Tennesse, afterwards (because Uganda = rural Tennessee). I have been taught that medicine is an art and a profession – something to which you dedicate your life and soul. They had a special hatred for the lazy who were not there for the patients. You fall into that hatred.Of course, I was actually taught to give meaning to life and living.
Hello
I have just fouind your website and think your posts are brilliant. I am a third year medical student in the UK and I wrote a similar post last year (Also called “All about the Benjamins!!!) and I too got some huffy comments.
Your words echo my thoughts – SO many students make out that the money isn’t important. They try to make those of us that are honest enough to admit that we are looking for the good salary that medicine can bring (Our UK GPs are earning an average of £110,000 for a working day of 0800-1700 with no evenings or weekends)look like criminals who should never have taken a place up at medical school.
I am really pleased to have found your blog and will be keeping up with your posts
Good Luck
Anna
Hello
I have just fouind your website and think your posts are brilliant. I am a third year medical student in the UK and I wrote a similar post last year (Also called “All about the Benjamins!!!) and I too got some huffy comments.
Your words echo my thoughts – SO many students make out that the money isn’t important. They try to make those of us that are honest enough to admit that we are looking for the good salary that medicine can bring (Our UK GPs are earning an average of £110,000 for a working day of 0800-1700 with no evenings or weekends)look like criminals who should never have taken a place up at medical school.
I am really pleased to have found your blog and will be keeping up with your posts
Good Luck
Anna
dude, you’re my hero!
Hoover, as an M3 i agree with the majority of the things you say. I really wish there was a better way. I truly do enjoy medicine and science, and that is why i got into it. Yes, it is also because of the ‘prestige’, job security, and potential money. I would NOT do this job if i were to make 40k, shit i wouldnt do it if i made a penny less than 6 figures. There seem to be a lot of people (students, residents, lobbyists) who agree that medical training in America is abysmal.
Why do medical school students have to be treated like shit? If this was any other job or program, they would not be. Instead, they have to suck it up and take it, as if its a right of passage.
Why do students and residents work 80+ hours and get paid essentially nothing (or as a student, PAY THEM)?
I dont know if or how or when this system will be changed, but there are so many problems with it and nothing is being done.
A wise peer of mine once observed that if medical students really wanted to “help people,” they’d have taken all the money spent going to medical school and donated it to get tens of thousands of vaccines and other minimally expensive preventative treatments (or medications) for people living in countries with no health resources. The tremendous impact such an action would have on those peoples’ lives is vastly greater than most of us giving out Z-paks for colds and changing statin dosings.
And while money may not buy happiness, it does buy a lot of stuff that makes me pretty damn happy.