What are the pros and cons of being a neurologist?

Pros:

• Competitive Benefits. Neurologists are some of the highest paid physicians in the United States. They also enjoy great benefits, such as good health insurance, retirement plans, and lots of growth in the field.

• Rewarding Work. Neurologists help patients understand how to work through difficulties and improve. It can be extremely rewarding to see your patients progress and get better.

• Challenging Work. Neurologists are faced with many different cases, sometimes with complex and vague symptoms. The act of finding out what is wrong and how to fix it can be extremely exciting for many neurologists.

Cons:

• Extensive Education Requirements. Neurologists are medical doctors, and so they have completed medical school and have also completed residency and a fellowship. This can take over a decade to fully complete and is often expensive as well.

• Long, Hard Hours. Neurologists often work long shifts that can be over 12 hours long. The work they complete can also be emotionally exhausting. This stress can be damaging to the mental health of neurologists.

• Frustrations Surrounding Patient Progress. Patients can sometimes have difficult diagnoses, which may lead to difficult paths to progress. This can sometimes be frustrating, especially if your patient stops progressing or starts digressing.