Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/13/2009

Question
Hi,
I am currently a pre-med student and I have been researching whether or not I want to be an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. I absolutely love medicine and I have planned on being an MD my whole life. I know both careers take a lot of hard work but I did not want to give up 12 years of my life trying to establish my career as an anesthesiologist and miss out on LIFE itself, like having a family. I understand that many female doctors have husbands with children but I also know that they don't spend a lot of time raising them. Which is why I thought of settling and becoming an nurse anesthetist (which is less schooling and more time to enjoy my twenties and have kids who are old enough to start school..) but I also really want to become an MD.. So my question is: Is becoming a MD worth putting your life on hold for twelve years? Is it a rewarding career? If possible... could you name some pros and cons?

Answer
What you're really comparing is about a 4 yr difference. For CRNA you need a 4 yr college (nursing degree), at least 1 yr of critical care nursing and then 2 yrs of CRNA school. For MD you need 4 yr Bachelors, 4 yr med school and 4 yr residency. I know many female anesthesiologist that have families (including in residency). Several have 2 or more kids. As far as time spent, you can determine how much time after residency you want to spend working (your compensation will reflect that, but it is a quality of life issue). Physicians make more money and have more independence but also have more responsibility (and liability). If medicine is what you love, then it is worth the time. While CRNAs do a wonderful job their knowledge base and their ability to subspecialize is more limited. It all depends are your priorities but after residency you can have a large say in how hard you work.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston