Are you thinking about becoming a psychiatrist? These medical doctors treat patients who suffer from mental health conditions. Let’s take a closer look at how to pursue this mental health career and the reasons to consider it.
How to become a psychiatrist
The process of becoming a psychiatrist is a long and gruelling one. In addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you must also pass the MCAT exam, attend medical school, and complete four years of residency training in psychiatry.
Once you finish your schooling, you will also need to pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). The other exams you’ll need to take vary according to state. You may be required to pass the psychiatry exam questions on the Certification, Shelf, and/or PIPE exams.
If you want to specialize in one area of psychiatry, it will also require additional schooling and certification.
Reasons to become a psychiatrist
Even though it can be a challenging career to pursue, it can also be an incredibly rewarding one for the right individual.
Here are six reasons to become a psychiatrist:
1. Every day is full of new challenges
Psychiatrists treat an array of mental illnesses and health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia — just to name a few. You never know what type of new patients you’ll be encountering every day, which can present you with new challenges.
2. You’ll be able to help people
If you’re a compassionate and caring person, psychiatry could be the perfect field for you. You’ll have the opportunity to help patients from all walks of life, as well as their loved ones. Not only will you have the ability to make a positive impact on their lives, you’ll also be able to offer them life-saving treatments.
3. This career can be very lucrative
Psychiatrists have very financially rewarding careers. As of 2021, the average salary for psychiatrists was $249,760 (or an average of $120.08 per hour). Psychiatrists with certain specialties have the potential to make more, with outpatient care center psychiatrists earning up to $299,470. There’s no doubt that the earning potential can be one of the most appealing things about becoming a psychiatrist.
4. You can work in lots of settings
Psychiatrists work in an array of medical settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient centers, drug addiction and rehab centers, colleges and universities, and so much more. It’s even possible to work from home as a psychiatrist, thanks to tele-medicine.
Many psychiatrists also teach at colleges and universities on a part-time basis or during their retirement.
5. Psychiatrists are in high demand
The country is currently facing a psychiatrist shortage. There are a couple of reasons for this. There has been a huge push to remove mental health stigma, which has caused more people to seek medical attention in recent years. There’s also a large population of retiring psychiatrists.
The shortage is more significant than in any other medical specialty. Since 20% of people in the U.S. have some type of medical condition, this problem is considered a health crisis.
The demand for psychiatrists is so high that universities across the country are trying to enroll new students. There’s no doubt that you’ll be able to find a stable job once you’ve become a psychiatrist.
6. You have the opportunity to be self-employed
Have you ever dreamed of working for yourself? One of the most rewarding benefits of becoming a psychiatrist is you can open your own practice. This allows you more freedom when it comes to your schedule.
These are just six reasons to become a psychiatrist. If you have an interest in working in mental health, this career could be the perfect choice for you.