“Why You Should Become a Doctor,” A Speech by a Tante
The following is a speech Tante Mary gave to the college youth group at church after she heard that some students were majoring in classics, psychology, and history and not planning to go into medicine.
“You should become a doctor. You will make lots of money. They will kiss your hands when you come to church once a month. You will attract the best husband or wife.
Who cares if it takes 7-10 years of excruciatingly exhausting study after the Bachelor’s degree? You have another 30-40 years to live. But you will be a doctor.
Who cares if you spend 10 hours a day studying during the best years of your life while locking yourself up in your room? You will still spend 10 hours a day working after you become a doctor. But you will be a doctor.
Who cares if 45.2% of you will burn out by your second year of medical school? You will be a doctor.
Who cares if 14% of you will regret entering the profession? Those are weak. You will be a doctor.
Who cares if 70% of you will binge drink during medical school? God will forgive you if you live. You will be a doctor.
Who cares if 7 out of every 10 doctors would not recommend for you to enter the profession? Don’t listen to them. Mama and Tante recommend that you become a doctor. Listen to them. And you will be a doctor.
Who cares if you accumulate over $300,000 of debt? You will be a doctor.
Who cares if 50% of doctors do not feel they are paid enough and are not satisfied? You will be a doctor.
Who cares if you have to renew your board certification every 5 years? Each time it will only take a year of study, and you will do it only 7 times throughout your career. But you will be a doctor.
Who cares if you will develop diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart condition from all the stress? You are still a doctor.
Who cares if you will not be able to be as close to your spouse and children because of the hours at work and the stress after work? You are still a doctor. And you will inspire your children to become doctors.
Who cares if the only fun time you have is on your annual two week vacation and even then you will not be able to decompress? You are still a doctor.
Who cares if you cannot taste the flavor of life and each day becomes a repeat of the day before for the next 35-40 years? You are still a doctor.
Who cares if you will be exhausted, overworked, burned out, regretful, alcoholic, burdened with debt, unsatisfied, have no time, chronically sick, and isolated from your own family? You will still be a (say it with me), yes, a doctor.”