What's at the end of the fuse...

I like to say that it doesn't matter how long a person's fuse is, there's a powder keg at the end of all of them.  It's taken a few years, but one issue in particular has just about worked it's way to my little bundle of dynamite.

It's no secret that Gal and I are dyed-in-the-wool medical nerds.  I applied to medical school for the past two years, came close to getting in both times, but was denied in the end.  I have since changed my tact a bit, aiming toward a nurse practitioner program which I plan on entering next fall.  Living in a small town, it's a fact of life that I'll see someone I know every day and occasionally they will ask me what my plans are in the next year. Over the past few years, my answer has always elicited the same comment in a variety of forms:

"There's a lot of money to be made in that field" *benign smile*

And I have just about had it. If feels like a slow boil that will one day overflow and result in the production of a high-explosive, armor-piercing snarky comment.

Granted, most people associate money-making with some professions: medical doctor, lawyer, attorney, accountant, hedge-fund investor, moon-shiner.  But when it comes to medicine, that should not be the motivating factor! I find it insulting when folks (even if they mean well), feel it's their place to inform me of the financial benefits of my chosen field.  What do these individuals say when other people mention a future profession that does not pay well?

Student: "I'm going to be kindergarten teacher."
Acquaintance: "That's fantastic; you're going to have to deal with being underpaid for a thankless job in a struggling public school system!"

Adding to the powerderkeg, the people who say things like this are not just mild acquaintances, some of them are in my immediate family.  One in particular has berated encouraged me to try the application process for medical school again this year (don't misunderstand, I treasure their support).  When I told them that I would be applying to nurse practitioner school instead, they shifted smoothly into the whole doing-the-same-work-for-less-money schpeal.  This went on for about 10 minutes.  By the time this little lecture was over, one singular phrase was rattling around in my head like a ping-pong ball in a blender: I don't give a flying f*** about the money. You could light that f*** on fire while it was still alive, loft it screaming off the edge of a deep gorge, and my only concern would be that it didn't land on anyone that I truly liked (short list, mind you). In short: I was livid*. 

I'm going into my chosen field because of one simple fact: I like helping people with the medical knowledge that rolls around in my head.  My goal when I'm at work is to do my job to the best of my abilities, many times requiring me to go above and beyond what is listed in my job description.  Money comes in handy, I can readily attest to that (back pay sucks).  But if a person lets that desire for money color their decision, it will produce deep flaws somewhere in their profession.

Deep breath, rant is over, back to work...

* Disclaimer: I don't have anger management issues.  Normally I'm so laid back that I appear comatose, but this has been years in the making.  Also, I tend to use expressive language that would be deemed inappropriate in church (or even in a locker room).  It's our site, so if this might offend you perhaps you should adjust your world-view or find a more G-rated blog. Sorry.

-Guy