This is the first question you should ask yourself if you are considering this path. Whether you are thinking of becoming a Physician, NP, Nurse, etc. Ask yourself why?
I imagine this may be the first question I am asked if I am one of the minority that are granted a medical school admissions interview. And when that day hopefully comes I want to be so very clear to myself and to those ADCOMS ‘why’ this is the path for me. I hear that if you have a ‘why’ you can endure almost any ‘how.’ I imagine that one of the most appropriate ways to apply this is to the path of becoming a physician. I hear about how rewarding it is. But I actually hear more about all of the difficulties, the frustrations, the lost sleep, the missed time with loved ones, and essentially the loss of freedom. You are dedicating yourself to others and for some that might be a price that they are not willing to pay.
I find myself asking myself these questions a lot lately. WHY Medicine? Are you WILLING to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed? Are you willing to show up and be all in. In our most idealized state, when we set out on this path…we might say..of course I am willing. We might say..in a very simple way… I choose medicine because I cannot even fathom doing anything else. It is something that I know I must do. Something I know at my core. A knowing that grew gradually and then was almost realized at once. That this is the thing I am meant to do. I am meant to use the love I have for science and healing. My own experience that has lead to knowing what illness, surgeries, and suffering actually feel like. (And having the invaluable experience of amazing medical treatment) My love for problem solving. My dedication to life-long learning. I believe I am meant to use all of these things and put them to use to serve others.
And these have been my answers. But as I get further down the path I keep these two questions in mind. The why has to become a little more detailed. I need something to hang on to when things become difficult. When I get a less than stellar grade on an exam in a post-bacc course, despite going into it confidently and well prepared (or so I thought). When my work schedule changes on short notice and to keep my job, I go from working your standard 9-5 to working some weekends and some nights until midnight. A change I was not prepared nor happy to make for reasons I don’t need to go into now, but one that effects several areas of my personal life
So I will continue this internal investigation and am am wondering what those who have gone before me have thought. Those of you who are on this path too… what is your ‘why?’ How did you know you were willing do what it takes? I would love to hear about it.
With Gratitude,
Britt
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I wrote this post last may on my personal blog, but now that I found Premed Star I thought Iād share it here. I’d appreciate any input or discussion š
7 years ago
This is an awesome post, Brittany! My why stems from a variety of reasons from my childhood but I think the one underlying reason was a personal family matter that resulted in a family member passing. The treatment and care was provided in a foreign country where medical advancements were few at the time…this peaked my interest in science and medicine. I immersed myself in many health related activities in high school, undergrad, and beyond. I knew that I want to pursue a career in medicine after I tried my hand in a variety of healthcare roles and the scope of practice a physician really reosonated with me. You have to constantly be asking yourself why? Why does the patient need this medication, why do we have to treat them a certain way? etc. Several health professionals can look for symptoms and try to treat patients, but medical school truly teaches you the why? and although medicine is a collaborative effort, it’s important to note that the final call falls on the physician. You have to have the depth of knowledge and decision making skills to pull your team together in order to properly treat a patient. I feel that medical school gives you the tools to examine patients comprehensively and be able to look for certain patterns that will help you diagnose them. This of course is just my two cents. I would love to hear from others.
7 years ago
Good morning Brittany. I really appreciate your post. First, as an extremely non-traditional student I transition from the thought of “if I am granted and interview” to when I granted an interview.” Most jobs in this world are customer service based. We (the wonderful people on Premed Star) have chosen a path servitude through the field of Medicine. We are all learning or come to the realization that not only is anything worth having is not easy. Also, it is a marathon and not a race. I am already in the medical field working as a Flight Paramedic. I am at the top in regards to pre-hospital care. In some instances I have had to make decisions as to who I will focus my limited resources on to give them the best chance for survival. That probably sounds like a doctor. Trust me it is not! Though I am a vital initial link in the chain of survival I in no way have the knowledge or skill to affect the continuum of care. I am in essence a bridge to difinitve care. My why stems from a continued growth and hunger of knowledge so that I can serve as a force multiplier to provide medical aid and comfort. There came a point when my thoughts, hopes and dreams collided with work and school. I could stay with what I am doing and make a decent living doing it. You have to have foresight within yourself to know once you make a decision can you live with that decision, if you decided to walk away from this path or any other journey that you may embark upon. For me, at the end of the day the “why” cannot be quantified. My mind, body and spirit has remodeled itself for the pursuit of this profession. I do not allow life to manage me. I manage my life to support my journey of becoming a physician despite any unforeseen circumstances. I know that this is a race not a marathon. And most importantly, if I am delayed I will not be denied.
7 years ago
My apologies for the two missing transitional words at the beginning of my “mini dissertation.” The Android based appl does not permit me to scroll up or insert the cursor at a previous point. But I think the gist of my thoughts are conveyed.
7 years ago
Excellent post Brittany. I love the introspection. Why is definitely one of the most important questions you have to ask yourself. I agree with Milan, you have to constantly ask this. When I was in training to become a doctor, one of my attendings would always encourage this. He’d say it was a must in order to become a good doctor. I appreciate this post Brittany; it actually motivated me to dig up my old personal statements. Thanks for the excellent blog!
7 years ago
This is such a great post Brittany! I agree with Dr. Dale, the why is so important in choosing medicine. So many people go into medicine for the wrong reasons which leads to careless mistakes affecting the lives of innocent patients. In order to have better doctors and better healthcare we need to start with the why!
7 years ago