4 Reasons Why Everyone Must Not Be a Doctor
One of the most abused courses in Nigeria is Medicine and Surgery; and probably Law. Do not get it twisted; these professional courses still have their integrities intact, but wherever stereotype and idolization are enshrined; over exaggeration and perpetual abuse is inevitable. I think it wise to rephrase my first sentence at this point: One of the most abused courses by both the literate and illiterate population of Nigerian adults is professional courses; especially Medicine and Surgery. Can you crack a smile now dear enthusiastic aspiring Medical Doctor? *Winks*.
We live in an age and a period in history where courses; handpicked courses are overrated. Such courses are Medicine and surgery, Law, Pharmacy, Accountancy, etc. Oh no! Engineering too! Pardon my forgetfulness. It is very inattentive of you to assert that in every Nigerian home you have never heard any parent say “My little Nkechi will be a Doctor when she grows up”. If there is any Nigerian parent who does not do such; please send some gold medals to such a parent! He/she deserves to be in the Guinness Book of Record for the most outstanding Nigerian parent.
So I ask for the hundredth time; WHY EVERYONE MUST NOT BE A DOCTOR? The Emphatic answer is N- O. A big fat N; and a way bigger and rounded O.
Everyone must not be a doctor. If everyone in destined to be a doctor; engineer, banker or lawyer; who will be a barber, tailor, teacher, hairdresser, carpenter, and vender? All these latter careers are noble and very essential and deserve maximum respect and acknowledgment.
It is erroneous and silly for virtually any parent to ever urge their children to be Doctors; Lawyers; or in any profession that enjoys the privilege of maximum, ill necessitated respect adulated to it. It is grossly silly for people who are not in a well respected and overrated profession to be ridiculed and demeaned. Beyond this; it is also very immature for unnecessary adulation to be given to doctors.
Oh trust me! It is not easy to study the entirety of human body in its healthy and unhealthy state. It is even more difficult to cram or rather, study, all the parasites and how they impede normal body functioning. Doctor risks their lives; study hard for efficiency, and work long hours saving lives.
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But No! A wrong image and fictitious type of this profession should not be made.
Why must everyone not be a Doctor?
- Passion: Being a doctor requires passion; dedication, diligence, doggedness, and patience. Passion to help cure people; dedication to stay and see through to graduation; diligence to study organs over and over again for mastery. Doggedness to not bolt at your first sight of an open injury, and to ensure that you pass all professional Exams even if you fail any. Patience to become a consultant even if it takes you donkey years.
- Honesty: Sincerely; we want individuals to tell themselves the truth more, and desist from living a false life. We want the young man who wants to be a farmer to be bold and honest about the career of his choice. I mean! We want that soon-to-be Medical student to be honest and study theatre arts. We want that born Artist to stop writing JAMB for the 7th time (well this is an exaggeration—haha); all in search for a spot in medicine. When we end the false image being painted in the minds of young people concerning medicine; we will have more honest people.
- Efficiency and Growth: Our nation will grow and become efficiently diversified when individuals embrace other career choices. Not just that; folks will be properly utilized is they engage in careers that suit their natural intuition and gifts. Folks need to channel their strength and attention to courses that suit them. That way; we will have very efficient individuals; who will shine in their various fields of study, and be the best they can be. Stop stressing yourself in a career that was never meant for you. Go for Efficiency! Go for Skill! Go for you!
- Because everyone should not be a Doctor: Okay! This point sounds funny, but it is true! Everyone must not be a doctor! Doctor (medicine) is not for everyone. Some ought to be a dancer. Some ought to be an actress. Some ought to sell GARRI, and someone has to harvest the cassava for it. Someone has to teach this doctor in pre-nursery; at the crèche; in secondary, etc. someone has to cast news that the doctors will listen to; someone has to be assisting nurse for the doctor’s surgery. Someone has to sell road-side “Okpa” for the doctor; someone will sow his clothes; barb his hair; dry clean his clothes; make his electrical gadgets, and repair his broken furniture. Someone has to repair his spoilt tap and toilet. You see all these someones’s afflicted to the doctor? These someone’s who appear little and insignificant? Those someones are if in their fields of study as endowed by skill and interest; will be the “someone’s” who are not Doctors. A doctor can never be everything and a doctor all at the same time. A doctor must be a doctor, and an efficient Hunter must be a Hunter. All should be accorded equal respect, recognition, and reference. Supremacies must be discouraged
So dear aspirant of Doctors (does this word even exist? Hahaha); be sure this is what you want. Be sure you want to see sick people all your life. Be sure you are patient enough to listen to patients all your life. Be sure you will be happy being around and seeing the four corners of a hospital all your life.
Be sure you are not living in self-deceit. Be certain this is what you want. If not; Arise dear Aspirant! Run away! Walk fast; go and be that actress! Get the form for that music academy! Proudly become a botanist! Proudly is that Lawyer! Proudly become that farmer! The world is too large, and your life will be too long to be lived in self-deceit. ARISE! Be the best version of yourself.
Dear Doctor; Kudos! Remain focused; diligent, hardworking, passionate and patient.
The world was never ready for honest people!
Written By Okoroafor Bernard and published by GT Igwe Chrisent
About The Author
Okoroafor Bernard popularly known as Benny is a cool and calculated guy, who loves to share knowledge and impact the people. He is the Founder and CEO of Scholar Insider which is an Education and Jobs Blog.
