Thanks for you input. I appreciate your responses and do believe that I'm probably just too sensitive. I'm just tired.
To Mark,
I can't honestly say I'd recommend a career in medicine. It is just too expensive (both literally and figuratively). After 4 yrs of college, 4 yrs of med school and 2 yrs of residency (with 2 more yrs to go), I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Just when I think it can't get any worse, it does. I routinely put in 80-90 hr weeks and am expected to read in my "spare time"! Friday was an especially bad day. I worked from 7 am to 4 am the next morning then had to go back in at 8 am to round. I no longer have a life outside of medicine. I know things will get a little better when I finish residency and have my own practice, but I'll never have a "normal life".
I am up to my eyeballs in debt...$225,000 and growing daily. Sure, I'll be able to pay off my loans, but I'll never make nearly as much money as the generation before me. Patients, insurers and employers are more demanding than ever. We are expected to care for twice as many patients, for half the reimbursement. I view medicine as a calling and truly felt called to the profession but even I sometimes feel the demands are too great...it's simply not worth it. We have the highest divorce rate, suicide rate and substance abuse rate of any profession...I'm not surprised. Being a doctor is not what it used to be.
Yes, Lynn is my first name. I am on a first name basis with many of the nurses I work with (although THEIR supervisor reprimanded them for using my first name). Also, my competence has never been questioned and several nurses have told me I'm the best resident they've ever worked with. If fact, on more than one occasion, I have been the one they vented to about OTHER docs. I treat everyone with respect and only ask for the same in return. Like I said, this is not a problem with all nurses and certainly not the ones who know me.
Thanks for your response. I could be wrong, but I honestly don't think it's my behavior. As I said, I've discussed the problem with other physicians. The women said they'd dealt with it too and the men said they'd noticed it. It doesn't happen with every female nurse, just some. After getting to know me, the attitude ALWAYS disappears and we get along great. It just gets old having to prove myself. Sometimes I just want to be the ****** they apparently expect me to be. Regarding male nurses, I think that they are treated differently, but I think the reason for this is in THEIR attitude. They tend to be very confident and are quick to both give and demand respect. If everyone behaved that way, we'd all get along great. Oh well...thanks for letting me vent.
I have a question. I've noticed a certain amount of "attitude" among SOME female nurses (I've never had a problem with a male nurse). I've always gone out of my way to be courteous and know it doesn't have anything to do with my behavior, because I've discussed the issue with other physicians (male and female) who've all noticed or dealt with the same thing. I'm honestly curious about this problem. Why are female physicians sometimes held to a different standard.
To Everyone,
Thanks for you input. I appreciate your responses and do believe that I'm probably just too sensitive. I'm just tired.
To Mark,
I can't honestly say I'd recommend a career in medicine. It is just too expensive (both literally and figuratively). After 4 yrs of college, 4 yrs of med school and 2 yrs of residency (with 2 more yrs to go), I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Just when I think it can't get any worse, it does. I routinely put in 80-90 hr weeks and am expected to read in my "spare time"! Friday was an especially bad day. I worked from 7 am to 4 am the next morning then had to go back in at 8 am to round. I no longer have a life outside of medicine. I know things will get a little better when I finish residency and have my own practice, but I'll never have a "normal life".
I am up to my eyeballs in debt...$225,000 and growing daily. Sure, I'll be able to pay off my loans, but I'll never make nearly as much money as the generation before me. Patients, insurers and employers are more demanding than ever. We are expected to care for twice as many patients, for half the reimbursement. I view medicine as a calling and truly felt called to the profession but even I sometimes feel the demands are too great...it's simply not worth it. We have the highest divorce rate, suicide rate and substance abuse rate of any profession...I'm not surprised. Being a doctor is not what it used to be.
I.rae,
Yes, Lynn is my first name. I am on a first name basis with many of the nurses I work with (although THEIR supervisor reprimanded them for using my first name). Also, my competence has never been questioned and several nurses have told me I'm the best resident they've ever worked with. If fact, on more than one occasion, I have been the one they vented to about OTHER docs. I treat everyone with respect and only ask for the same in return. Like I said, this is not a problem with all nurses and certainly not the ones who know me.
Bagladyrn,
Thanks for your response. I could be wrong, but I honestly don't think it's my behavior. As I said, I've discussed the problem with other physicians. The women said they'd dealt with it too and the men said they'd noticed it. It doesn't happen with every female nurse, just some. After getting to know me, the attitude ALWAYS disappears and we get along great. It just gets old having to prove myself. Sometimes I just want to be the ****** they apparently expect me to be. Regarding male nurses, I think that they are treated differently, but I think the reason for this is in THEIR attitude. They tend to be very confident and are quick to both give and demand respect. If everyone behaved that way, we'd all get along great. Oh well...thanks for letting me vent.
I have a question. I've noticed a certain amount of "attitude" among SOME female nurses (I've never had a problem with a male nurse). I've always gone out of my way to be courteous and know it doesn't have anything to do with my behavior, because I've discussed the issue with other physicians (male and female) who've all noticed or dealt with the same thing. I'm honestly curious about this problem. Why are female physicians sometimes held to a different standard.