Everyone Talks about the Sacrifices of Medicine. Is There Anything Good?

"Everyone talks about the sacrifices of medicine. Is there anything good?” 

When people think of medicine, they usually picture the sacrifices: the long nights, the missed birthdays, the student debt, the countless hours spent in libraries and hospitals while the rest of the world keeps spinning. And it’s true—we do give up a lot to be here. But somewhere along the way, I realized medicine wasn’t just about what it was taking from me. It was also giving me things I never expected.

The first thing I gained was perspective. Before medical school, my world felt small. My problems felt huge. But in the hospital, standing at a patient’s bedside, you’re reminded every day that life is fragile, unpredictable, and deeply precious. It changes how you see your own struggles. That bad grade, that awkward encounter, that plan that didn’t work out—it all feels a little lighter when you’re reminded how resilient people can be in the face of much bigger storms.

I also gained a community. Medicine has a way of introducing you to people who understand you in ways others can’t. My classmates, residents, and mentors became family in the truest sense of the word. They’re the people who sat with me while I cried over board scores, celebrated with me when I passed, and laughed with me through 2 a.m. call shifts. Yes, it’s competitive. Yes, people are ambitious. But beneath that, there’s a shared bond that only comes from walking this path together.

Another thing I gained was confidence. Not the kind that shows up when everything goes right, but the kind that grows when you survive what you thought might break you. I still remember the first time I presented a patient on rounds and my attending said, “Good job.” It was such a small phrase, but it felt like a spark of belief. Over the years, those sparks piled up. Each one reminded me: I can do this. Even on the days I doubt myself, I have proof that I’ve done hard things before, and I’ll do them again.

And maybe the most surprising thing I’ve gained is gratitude. Medicine doesn’t just teach you about illness; it teaches you about living. I notice sunsets now. I savor unhurried meals with friends. I call my mom just to say hi. These little things don’t feel small anymore. They feel like the entire point.

So yes, medicine asks for sacrifices. But it gives back in ways that can’t be measured on a CV. Perspective. Community. Confidence. Gratitude. These are the things I carry with me, the things that make the sacrifices worth it.

If you’re just starting your journey, I hope you don’t only count what you lose. Pay attention to what you’re gaining, too. In the end, that’s what sustains you. That’s what makes this path not just survivable, but meaningful.