Hi,

I'm looking for a physician (or ex-physician for that matter) to help me think about my career trajectory.

I'm 32, with a supportive but much older husband (who may want to retire in the next 5 yrs), and a lively happy 18 mo daughter. We live in New England.

I started all over as a post-bac premed after an early-aborted career in architecture, and so far I love medicine, but I am so very torn about the balance of family and work.

I'm seriously considering surgery (or some subspecialty), but with many reservations. I've shadowed several female surgeons with children (all are general surgeons w/ either bariatric or breast focused work)... They are all encouraging, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to make the sacrifices required...it's just so hard to know.

I'm struggling as a first yr but know that I will eventually shine in the clinical yrs...

If you've read this far...please drop me an email with your thoughts...

thanks!

Jen

Plain and simple, any surgical residency makes completely unreasonable demands on your time... and that's even with the 80 hour week. I finished my training in '96 and it was hellacious back then, I barely saw my husband and kids weren't even a thought until I got into practice. Even now in practice, things can get busy some days and I get stuck in the OR until well past when I thought I'd be out the door.
However I really love what I do, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I struggle with guilt often, and feel as if my life is spinning out of control on a regular basis.
(background - I am an academic pedi orthopod in a busy clinical practice, also doing bench research, and have 2 small boys at home, hubby is a stay-at-home dad thankfully)
hope that helps a little
Donna

I would stop stressing about what you are going to do until you hit 3rd year and start doing rotations. You will be doing at least 8 weeks of surgery and you will find out then if the hours work with your life or not. I, too, want to be a surgeon and have found that rotations really can help you focus on what is important to you. I have a very supportive husband and my kids will be 7,10 when I start residency. I am still looking at surgery because I just haven't had anything else grab my interest. It doesn't help if you are worrying now about things out of your control. Wait 2 years and then see how you feel.