A pediatrician is a doctor who works with infants, children and adolescents. Anyone who decides that they want to go to medical school to be a pediatrician is making a huge commitment. “Deciding to pursue a medical degree, picking a perfect career path and navigating a challenging curriculum are many of the challenges med students face,” according to Saint James School of Medicine.
1. Expect to Spend Seven Years Training for Your Career
The time spent training for your career is a longer-than-average investment, so prepare yourself to settle in for the long haul. You’ll spend four years in medical school and an additional three years to complete a general pediatrics residency.
2. Your Salary Won’t be the Highest of Salaries for Medical Doctors
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a general pediatrician is $183,240, which is a nice salary, considering the national mean annual wage for all jobs is only $51,960. But among all doctors, the highest mean annual wage is $203,880. Even so, the potential to earn over $183,000 per year as a pediatrician is nothing to discount.
3. Your Average Minutes Per Visit is Low
Granted, as a pediatrician, you’ll likely have to see a lot of sick children, which may include crying babies. The good thing is that you won’t have to spend about 10 to 15 minutes per patient, on average. So, if a patient is particularly cranky, you won’t be confined with them for hours. And if you’re really good at what you do, you may even be able to make those cranky patients feel better.
4. Major Illnesses or Injuries Are Possible
Although the majority of your patients will likely present with minor illnesses or injuries, there will be times when you see patients who have more serious problems. You may be able to treat these patients. Or you may have to refer these patients to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
5. The Majority of Pediatricians Really Like Their Job
Over 80% of pediatricians have reported being very satisfied — or satisfied — with all aspects of their jobs, such as hours, income, interest level, skills and job satisfaction. Due to the fact that most people aren’t happy in their jobs, this is an amazing statistic.
6. You Can Have Fun While You Work
If you decide to become a pediatrician, you must like children — and children can be fun. Although you’ll have plenty of sick and cranky children who visit you for care, you’ll also see plenty of children who come in for a well checkup or other minor issues. You might not be able to make the cranky children smile, but you can enjoy visiting with and getting to know the children who are in a reasonably good mood.
7. Your Patients Will Change and Grow
Doctors who treat adult patients don’t get this fringe benefit. As a pediatrician, you’ll be able to see your patients grow up — or at least those who stick with you throughout the years. As infants, children and adolescents have different needs, you’ll be able to address those needs. Plus, you’ll be able to develop a lasting relationship with each child who remains your patient long-term.
8. You Get to Work With Parents and Kids
Because children won’t be coming to their appointments alone, you’ll also have the benefit of also working with their parents. This is an awesome way to be able to have a positive influence on families. Parents will want your advice about their child’s health and wellness and you will be able to give it to them. You will have the unique opportunity to serve as trusted advisor, as well as treat children’s aches and pains.
9. You Will Be Well-Compensated for Serving Society
There are so many careers that allow people to serve others. There are teachers, social workers and police officers, and all of them are worthwhile to pursue. The problem is that many careers in this field do not pay very well at all, which can make it difficult. The great thing about choosing to be a pediatrician is that not only will you get to help others, but you will also be well-paid for doing it.
Deciding to follow a career path to become a pediatrician will take years, but it can be well worth it if you are interested in a rewarding, and sometimes challenging, career that will allow you work closely with children and families.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
