30 Surgeons And Other Doctors Share Their Biggest 'Oh Fudge' Moments

Dr. Carroll, the head of Atembis LLC, told Bored Panda that surgery is a very skilled specialty. "Not everyone can stand in one place for 4 hours, and sometimes a whole day, just working on one thing, never mind a human life being involved. It requires knowledge, skill, patience, and grace under pressure," he explained to us.

"Not everyone who becomes a doctor can or should be a surgeon. Just like all specialties, you must be called to the profession."

Communication and leadership skills are an important part of being a good surgeon, however, not everyone focuses on these skills.

"Unfortunately, many surgeons do lack that 'bedside manner,' mostly because they do spend most of their time with their customer under anesthesia. But it is crucial that surgeons spend the time necessary with the patient both before and after surgery, as well as family and loved ones, to explain what to expect, what might happen, and how to recover best."

According to Dr. Carroll, staying cool under pressure is a skill, just like any other. Though some individuals find it easier than others due to their temperament.

"There are some people who are, by nature, explosive, and no matter how hard you work at it they can't be changed. But most people can be trained (much like soldiers) to remain calm, cool, and focused even under the greatest pressure," the medical expert shared with Bored Panda.

"Doctors and surgeons MUST develop the skill because we are often, even daily, left making decisions or performing procedures which ultimately decide life or death. It is this cognizance of the importance of our positions (and making sure to remember it every day) that creates the greatest physicians."

There are plenty of good reasons to become a surgeon. You help a lot of people. There’s a lot of prestige and social capital attached to this particular career (similar to becoming a lawyer, really). And the pay is pretty darn brilliant.

For instance, in the United States, the average surgeon’s salary in June 2022 was $413,470. The salary range is roughly between $349,666 and $490,721. In other words, all the hard work in medical school, all that practice, and those sleepless nights, they’re well compensated once you actually start working in earnest. However, the job requires nerves of steel, a steady hand, and a great ability to think on one’s feet.

According to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, surgery is a very competitive field, so you ought to think about your career path well in advance.

“Surgery is an extremely enjoyable, intellectually demanding, and satisfying career, and many more people apply to become surgeons each year than there are available places. Those who are successful have to be ready not just to learn a great deal, but have the right kind of personality for the job,” they write.

Specialist knowledge and good physical skills alone aren’t enough to get ahead. You also need to have excellent communication skills, the ability to understand people’s concerns, and a way to earn their trust. What’s more, you need to be a leader, inspire your colleagues, and have the emotional resilience to weather difficult circumstances.

The NHS stressed the need for physical stamina, superb hand-eye coordination, and a calm temperament. Moreover, surgeons must have “first-class” time and resource management, all for the sake of the patient.

However, if you fail to become a surgeon or think that the career is far too stressful for you, just remember that there are thousands of ways to contribute to society and help make the world a better place. To those Pandas who chose the path of the surgeon, we salute you. At the same time, we support everyone who does their best in whatever profession they feel they were called to.