3 answers
Emily
Student
Thorsby, Alabama
2
Questions
Updated
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Are hours as a general surgeon too long?
I would like to be a general surgeon when I finish college. I would also like to have a family and I'm wondering if I would still have time to spend with them, or if the job would be too much. #generalsurgery #surgery #medicine #healthcare #hospital-and-healthcare #doctor #surgeon #hours
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3 answers
Natasha Whitledge
Employee Engagement
4
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
Hi Emily,
Working as a surgeon can definitely mean working long hours, but that's also true of many other careers.
For any demanding career, it comes down to creating time and balance for the things that matter most to you. Maybe that's your family, traveling, spending time with friends, and hopefully you also love what you do for a living! It's not always easy and sometimes you'll need to decide what compromises you're willing to make to keep the things that bring you the most happiness. Things will become easier as you learn how to and get better at organizing your time.
In the end, you will not regret the hard work :)
I found a neat article written by a surgeon that talks about how she's created balance and hopefully it provides helpful insight for you.
Check this out: https://www.mdedge.com/surgery/article/97990/practicing-surgery-and-having-life
Working as a surgeon can definitely mean working long hours, but that's also true of many other careers.
For any demanding career, it comes down to creating time and balance for the things that matter most to you. Maybe that's your family, traveling, spending time with friends, and hopefully you also love what you do for a living! It's not always easy and sometimes you'll need to decide what compromises you're willing to make to keep the things that bring you the most happiness. Things will become easier as you learn how to and get better at organizing your time.
In the end, you will not regret the hard work :)
I found a neat article written by a surgeon that talks about how she's created balance and hopefully it provides helpful insight for you.
Natasha recommends the following next steps:
Richard A.
physician
2153
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
During residency, the hours can be pretty brutal on some rotations. However once you enter practice, you can choose a practice that suits your need for balance. Some surgeons continue to work an insane amount of hours but that is largely their own choice.
Valerie F
medical student
161
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
Hi Natasha,
I am a medical student, but when speaking with surgeons most of them are able to balance a work/life balance. There was a news report on a neurosurgeon that had 4 kids. The hours are mostly demanding during residency (right after medical school), then you get more seniority and get a better schedule.
I am a medical student, but when speaking with surgeons most of them are able to balance a work/life balance. There was a news report on a neurosurgeon that had 4 kids. The hours are mostly demanding during residency (right after medical school), then you get more seniority and get a better schedule.