ksanders

I was watching Nip/Tuck last night (yes, i realize it is a fictional show, but it helps my point)

And on this episode, a plane crashes and the passengers are all burned, limbs amputated, impaled, etc, and it is such a horrible scene.

I recall one scene where the plastic surgeon (one of the main characters) has to amputate a diabetic mans arms (he already had his lower legs removed).

They didnt even have the proper tools. What he was using was one of those bush cutter type tools.

It was unsuccessful. Blood spattered everywhere.

This may sound incoherent, but I am wondering about all these people wanting to go into the medical field for all the wrong reasons (i.e. money).

Someone on this forum mentioned something about "how would you feel if an AIDS/HIV+ patient's blood was just splattered all over your body?"

I'm wondering, are these people truly compassionate about helping people?

sorry if this seems incoherent

[edit: yes i realize there are many different types of professions in the medical field ]

KRabble88

Is there a difference between an emerency surgeon and a 'normal' surgeon who doesn't work in emergency?

red06

ok first off. i would feel very very scared if someone with aids/hiv+ blood spattered blood all over me. i seek to help people, even now, in hs. but that being said, doctors should take care of themselves and not subject themselves to unnecesary danger. doctors are also peoples sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. their lives are worth something to someone.

secondly, nip/tuck is one of the worst examples of idiotic shows on tv.

EuropeGirl

You consider money a wrong reason to be a doctor? The medical industry is a several billion dollar business. It is, like most of America, built on the principle of Adam Smith's "invisible hand." Smith would argue that the "wrong reasons" of going into the medical industry really help get the best doctors out there (as they are all motivated by money, and the better/more highly qualified they are, the more money they make) and better the medical industry. America does have the best health care system in the world. It draws people from the NHS in Britain and Canada to better, more competitive pay which is more dependent on how much they work. Now, whether you think that the costs of the health care/insurance issues justifies that health care is dependent upon your own views.

Most AIDS/HIV+ patients have participated in risky activities (I'm speaking of in America and Western countries, not developing countries such as Africa) such as needle-sharing. No, I wouldn't want their blood on me.

UCLAri

I was watching The Firm the other day, and when the Mob threatened Tom Cruise's life, I realized I didn't want to be an attorney.

The day before that, I was watching Jurassic Park, and I realized the reason I don't want to be a paleontologist is 'cause I hate getting attacked by velociraptors. That totally ruins your day.

Finally, never ever become a cop/CIA agent. Arnie movies all prove that you have to get shot at least four times every day just to do your job.

GoldShadow

I just want to say that becoming a doctor only for the money is the biggest mistake anyone can make. There are other ways to make a lot of money that don't involve 8 years of difficult school, plus 3-7 years of additional training that involves little sleep, little pay, and difficult hours. Not only that, once actually practicing, there are a lot of little nuances in the medical field that can be hard to get used to if you are not actually passionate about what you do.
I know because my dad is a doctor and he loves what he does. I've met a lot of doctors who all got into medicine because they enjoy it. Most people who've looked into the field will probably see the same.
That being said, medicine is the only thing I see myself doing in the future. The money is without a doubt a benefit, but it's far from the main reason I want to be a physician.

EDIT: Ha, good ones UCLAri... movies are very important in the career selection process!

KRabble88

To me, a reason for being a doctor is not just to help people. That's what humanitarian efforts are for. However, a passion for the sciences should be the utmost reason to be a doctor (engineer, etc.). Being a frontier doctor exercises all facets of the human character--from audacity to intelligence. Simply wanting to be 'help people' is a very poor reason to commit years for one to be a doctor.

whatever78

i wanna be a doctor cuz of the following reasons

1) i think i'd be happy
2) satisfaction
3) nice salary

red06

at least whatever78 is honest. admit it, at least part of you wants the money that being a doctor will bring you.

warblersrule

Job security is another factor, I think. Airplane pilots also get paid obscene amounts of $, but the field looks pretty bleak right now.

I've always thought people should be "called" to become doctors, like clergy. I've always known I'm not cut out to be a doctor, nor have I ever felt compelled to consider it. I lack patience, I hate blood, and I hate being cooped up inside for long periods of time.

rExRuN467

I have a friend at UCLA Med School and I did ask him why he wanted to be a doctor. He is possibly the most honest guy I have ever met, and he he told me that he is in it for the money. I can't blame him. He says in the long run, he'll be brinking margaritas in Cancun, living in a huge mansion with a hot chick, and retiring with a huge sum of money to donate to charity. I'll agree, passion is definitely important to become a doctor, however, like my buddy, money and successful life can motivate someone, even if there are hardships. Let's face it, there is a large percentage of med school students are in it for the money and good life.

NoFX

I'd say about 94% of the people who aspire to be a doctor, are in it for the money.

Money, to me, is one of many reasons why I want to be a doctor (surgeon).

Plus, I like challenge, hard work, busy lifestyle, helping someone recover and making others feel at ease, human anatomy, responsibility, etc.. and for once, I'd like to give more, then to take.

blythe89

What is the starting pay for a doctor? And what is the average pay?

TuftsPlease

I was about to hound NoFX for the post until I read the keyword "aspire"

Many doctors today modern-day are there to help people and not it in the money. Doctors are undoub. one of the still modern day elites. The status of Doctor is well-respected. Yet, many doctors could easily make more with other jobs through the sciences. Still, they choose to stay and continue their tasks.

TuftsPlease

Starting pay for an intern doctor is 40k for about 80 hours a week.

This continues for three years, before they become an official doctor.