3 answers
Xyza Kayne
Student
Hopewell, Virginia
6
Questions
Updated
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What are some struggles you had to overcome when you first started your career?
I am a freshman at Hopewell High School, I want to get into the medical field to study and become a Pediatrician.
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3 answers
Miosotis Harrison, MD
2
Answers
Updated
Miosotis’s Answer
Hi! I’m currently a Pediatric resident doctor so I think I can help you in this one. My journey is probably a little different than yours since I went to medschool in another country so I don’t have the heave loans or students debt as the US graduate doctors. This is a benefit for me, but my colleagues that are graduated from the US says this is a big struggle for them because the training process is long and for us doctors to start making money takes time. If you are a woman the time to start a family can be challenging because you always want to do more in order to be consider for the match, fellowship, etc… and that can keep you very busy and distracted for you goals outside of the medical field.
The boards exams are challenging and I can tell you that from first hand from someone who developed test taking anxiety. But you can do it by working hard and keeping focus on your goals. But the challenges and sacrifices are well rewarded I can tell you that working with kids it’s amazing. Those little humans are the strongest and more resilient ones. You’ll make fall in love with them and their stories in a heartbeat.
The children that you are going to work with will show you what matter the most.
It’ll be a long process, long nights, you are going to miss multiple parties for being studying. But if this is what you really want at the end will be paid off. Good luck in the process and enjoy the journey ☀️
The boards exams are challenging and I can tell you that from first hand from someone who developed test taking anxiety. But you can do it by working hard and keeping focus on your goals. But the challenges and sacrifices are well rewarded I can tell you that working with kids it’s amazing. Those little humans are the strongest and more resilient ones. You’ll make fall in love with them and their stories in a heartbeat.
The children that you are going to work with will show you what matter the most.
It’ll be a long process, long nights, you are going to miss multiple parties for being studying. But if this is what you really want at the end will be paid off. Good luck in the process and enjoy the journey ☀️
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
84
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Hello! I am not a physician but I worked in Healthcare over 40 years as a clinical laboratory scientist. Beginning struggles, as I recall, were mostly just fitting in and learning the differences from place to place. There are always some differences in polices and instruments and personalities! But if you know your job and are a good worker and team player, and love your work, you're going to overcome any struggles quickly. Enjoy the journey!
Kathie
Kathie
Thank you Kathie! I appreciate you for taking time out of your day to respond to my question. This made me feel better about overcoming struggles in the future.
Xyza Kayne
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
74
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
My road to being an intensive care physician was certainly a bit bumpy - but I believe no fulfilling life can exist without difficulties.
I thought having a 3.9 GPA at a highly-respected university would make getting into medical school easy, but I only got in to one (which is just enough!) - and one which made me have to move far away from home. That meant I knew nobody, and had to make new friends. I also had no money, so was living in a very funky apartment that literally was condemned and torn down a year after I graduated, using furniture I made from plywood and cinderblocks and one big bean-bag chair as my bed and sofa. I made inexpensive casseroles and ate them for lunch and dinner for several days and then made another one. Despite being very frugal, I graduated with moderate debt. Most medical students graduate with a lot of debt, and it is scary to begin a career owing so much money. Physician salaries generally are good enough that most can pay off their loans with only a bit of pain, but physician salaries have not risen as fast as inflation, and Medicare and Medicaid are under attack, so that concerns me on behalf of young people such as yourself.
Perhaps the biggest difficulty for me was the many sleepless nights and 24-hour shifts (in my case I had 30+ hour shifts, but there are laws to prevent that now). That can put a strain on relationships with your spouse and children.
Patients have become less compliant with physician recommendations, and more likely to criticize and complain than early in my career. Working so hard to try to help people and have them express only negativity and no appreciation hurts.
Yet, despite all that, I feel that the career of a physician is something to take pride in. I really can say I have saved many lives and helped many families through the worst of times.
I thought having a 3.9 GPA at a highly-respected university would make getting into medical school easy, but I only got in to one (which is just enough!) - and one which made me have to move far away from home. That meant I knew nobody, and had to make new friends. I also had no money, so was living in a very funky apartment that literally was condemned and torn down a year after I graduated, using furniture I made from plywood and cinderblocks and one big bean-bag chair as my bed and sofa. I made inexpensive casseroles and ate them for lunch and dinner for several days and then made another one. Despite being very frugal, I graduated with moderate debt. Most medical students graduate with a lot of debt, and it is scary to begin a career owing so much money. Physician salaries generally are good enough that most can pay off their loans with only a bit of pain, but physician salaries have not risen as fast as inflation, and Medicare and Medicaid are under attack, so that concerns me on behalf of young people such as yourself.
Perhaps the biggest difficulty for me was the many sleepless nights and 24-hour shifts (in my case I had 30+ hour shifts, but there are laws to prevent that now). That can put a strain on relationships with your spouse and children.
Patients have become less compliant with physician recommendations, and more likely to criticize and complain than early in my career. Working so hard to try to help people and have them express only negativity and no appreciation hurts.
Yet, despite all that, I feel that the career of a physician is something to take pride in. I really can say I have saved many lives and helped many families through the worst of times.