re: What are your thoughts about medical school? Any doctors on the O-T?

I am a Nurse Anesthetist and I would do it over 10 times. I love my job and I was in the same boat you are in. I played college baseball, got my biology/psychology degree with the intent to apply to PT school. I wasn't accepted my first year applying and while working at a PT clinic, I decided that the job wasn't something that would give me life long satisfaction. I then decided to get my nursing degree. As soon as I graduated, I worked in an ICU for a year and started anesthesia school the following year. I have been a CRNA for 17 years and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

My schooling cost was 19,500 for the whole program. I know the cost is a lot more now but the income potential would allow you to pay off your loans quicker. Your average salary will be between 150 to 200. It all depends on how much call you take, where you work and if you are contract vs W-2. The most I have ever made was around 270k. My current job allows me 12 weeks of vacation, good practice autonomy and a good salary.

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That article is more than flawed. Did you read it?
The last statement

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Most of the idea behind posting it was to point out that working more hours usually means more pay, and if you want to make a ton of money, you can simply go to undergrad, wait tables while there, get a full time job, and keep waiting tables on the side. Or pick up a second career on the side. No, out of high school it won't be near equivalent. But a fresh out of college grad with minimal debt having the option from some jobs in the $50-70,000 range with the addition of working an additional couple of nights or weekends a month will get to a point of financial security much sooner than a physician. Long-term, you'll almost definitely make more as a physician, with relatively rare exceptions to the rule. Like you said: to make a lot of money is to bust your arse, and that isn't unique to medicine. I tend to find people who complain the most seem to think physicians work 9-4 4 days a week and take home $400,000+ without getting called at home.

I have no idea what the guy is doing for $180,000/yr other than working fairly part time in a highly available area (Northeast usually has lower salaries if the maps published by medscape are true...but their numbers are fairly far off from the offers I'm getting, so I'm not certain I necessarily believe them)

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Sorry you work 80 hours per week. I haven't worked more than 55 my whole residency aside from intern year and I only work 1 weekend DAY per month

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Oh, please don't mistake that statement as a complaint. I'm moonlighting my arse off right now because I don't have much going on in my life. My rotation requirements are usually much closer to the 50-60h range. But again, I learned from some older folks: you'll make as much as you want (in medicine) if you want to work for it.

Gross numbers wise, medicine typically wins, as well. But the idea of coming out of Louisiana undergrad after having TOPS and starting out deep in the hole with no salary vs a moderate salary, second stream of income and smart investments without a large debt burden would be something I'd at least consider if what I wanted was a profitable career/portfolio.

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Do PA or something where you can still make a good living but much less stress and liability and less crippling debt

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Friend of mine is PA. She makes Bank. Works a good bit(some night rotations and weekend rounds) but literally half the stress and responsibility of Dr's at her hospital.
To quote her recently, "I really get paid too much for the work I have to do."

I think the bigger decision at this point is choosing the right practice type.

I'm in a 2 doctor practice right now. We are very busy, usually 60-70 patients a day between the two of us. Overhead had become absolutely ludicrous. As much as we enjoy our independence, we will mostly likely join on with the hospital in the next year or so. The benefits of being hospital employed at this point far outweigh the cons.

The amount of time and resources we spend just trying to get paid by the insurance companies for services rendered is sickening.

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As much as we enjoy our independence, we will mostly likely join on with the hospital in the next year or so. The benefits of being hospital employed at this point far outweigh the cons.

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:sigh:

Another one down. And, sadly, you're not wrong on any part. Cash based is still an alternative, but you have to have the right location and population. Value based model groups like Privia may be another alternative for you. But I'm not 100% sure they will work or the administration will go that direction in the future.

The employed physician model is a bubble waiting to burst on these health systems. The large majority of purchased practices end up being a loss (by itself) for the system over time, but the downstream services are what they really want. I just don't think its sustainable, and you'll end up seeing lots of forced and coerced physician retirements for the systems that become to bloated. Memorial Hermann here in Houston is a prime suspect for this, IMO.

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There's no reason a solo practitioner should get paid 20-30% less for the exact same service as someone at a hospital or larger group. Without bargaining power you're SOL.

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I'm joining a small practice. There's a lot that is ridiculous about the way reimbursement works. I hopefully anticipate the day that primary care providers collectively say, "frick it, it cost this, and you can bill your insurance."





...but I don't think we ever will

residents now are so in debt. If there is something you are passionate about then yes. Lithette #2 is a 4th year med student (no pics) and I'm footing the bill so she's good. Otherwise PA and out in 2 years