Embarking on a career as a doctor is both exciting and nerve-racking. There are naturally so few jobs with quite the same importance and gravitas. A great deal of whether you’ll succeed comes down to your attitude and how you approach your first year actually operating in wards, hospitals and surgeries – your ‘junior’ year, so to speak. There are a fair few different aspects of being a doctor, and the way you treat and approach the challenges contained in each one can really make or break you professionally.
Too Much Confidence Could Land You In Hot Water
Img: junior doctor, source: 1
The first danger is, obviously, the potential risk to the personal health and well-being of patients that can arise should you not take your responsibilities seriously. Doctors make decisions every day that can be the difference between someone living and someone dying. Whilst it’s good to be confident and in control, having too lax an attitude can be generally dangerous, and lead to mistakes being made. Everyone makes mistakes, of course, but human error is one thing and a lack of responsibility is entirely another.
A Positive Outlook Will Help You Focus
Secondly, your attitude is vital because it will help you deal with the substantial workload. Whilst the hours that junior doctors can legally work isn’t as gruelling as it was before regulations were brought in, the limit is still set at 56 hours, so it’s longer than almost all standard office jobs. A positive, can-do attitude will make the world of difference as to how you cope with the pressures of the role, with those who are unable to deal with it likely to end up looking elsewhere for a job.
Don’t Expect Progression Straightaway
It will encourage your career. It’s not uncommon to stay at senior house officer grade for a couple of years whilst waiting for a specialist post to become available. Whilst that level is still financially viable, some will get frustrated at the stall in position, and some will choose to look elsewhere for a career. If you go in with an impatient attitude towards climbing the pole, the chances are that you’ll end up creating problems for yourself.
Keep An Eye On Your Money
Another important influence is that of attitude towards your finances. Following on from the financial struggle that many junior doctors endure during university itself, some, set free by a fairly good starting salary straight after graduating, will end up under-budgeting for the first time and ending up in a tricky financial situation. A sensible attitude to saving and budgeting will do you the world of good, and will avoid potential problems such as you going into debt.
Essentially, your overall attitude and mindset will end up making a substantial difference as to whether or not you actually succeed in your career. Becoming a doctor that people rely on, the sort that people actually want to see will be not only financially lucrative and offer you the chance to embark on a long career, but will also provide you with a truly rewarding sense of fulfilment and accomplishment that few other walks of life can provide. If you approach challenges with positivity and a motivated attitude, you’ll go a long way.
About the Author: Janet De Ath knows first hand the importance of adopting a positive mental attitude towards work in the medical field. She’s helped hundreds of new and experienced doctors and medical staff find work through her specialist recruitment agency, Medic Professionals.
