The process to becoming a doctor is long and difficult. It takes an extraordinary amount of hard work and a special kind of dedication.

The first step on this path is to have a complete understanding of the process and to decide if it is indeed a path you are willing to take. The purpose of this article series is to show you the way, to dispel the mystery, and to give you resources for finding more information on how to become a doctor.

Want to Become a Doctor , But Wonder How Doctors Really Feel About Their Profession?

As a pre-med student studying this subject I have spoken to several doctors about their profession, their education, and the quality of their lives.

A common topic was the difficulty of residency and the need for changes in the "system". I found doctors opinions of their work vary greatly depending on their specialty. Busy family practice doctors seem to spend more hours at work and complain of their lack of "a life outside the hospital".

Whereas one dermatologist quipped, "have you ever heard of a dermatological emergency? That's why I chose it, no on-call, nice hours, and lot's of golfing!" An emergency room doctor spoke highly of his specialty, again citing no call, 8-hour shifts, and plenty of variety.

One busy doctor who is nearing retirement spent 15 minutes convincing me that he really didn't like his job. However, when I asked him how he made it through the training and why he hadn't left the profession he said, "because I love helping people and I can't imagine doing anything else".

If that's the way you feel, then take the next step down the path to become a doctor and read on.