Do residents get weekends off?

No, medical residents generally do not get weekends off regularly; they work on a rotating schedule, often working some weekends while getting others off (known as "golden weekends") or trading weekend work for weekdays off, depending heavily on their specialty, program, and year of training, all while adhering to strict duty hour limits. Inpatient rotations usually involve working most weekends, while some outpatient or less intensive specialties (like Pathology or some Primary Care) offer more predictable weekends off.

Are weekends off in residency?

On most inpatient rotations in residency, you're working ~6 days a week. If you have two days off in a row on the weekend (aka a normal weekend for most people) that's considered a ✨golden weekend✨

How many days off do residents get?

In most programs, residents receive 3-4 weeks of vacation per academic year where they're free from educational and clinical work. Depending on your program, this may come in the form of 2-week stretches, 1-week stretches, or a combination. This is your best opportunity in residency to go somewhere for vacation.

Do residents work 7 days a week?

These limitations mean residents can work no more than 80 hours per week, no more than 24 consecutive hours on duty, cannot be on-call more than every third night, and should have one day off per week.

Do residents really work 80 hour weeks?

Yes, US medical residents are limited to an average of 80 hours per week, mandated by the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education), but this is an average over four weeks, meaning long weeks (even over 100 hours in intense rotations like surgery) are possible if balanced by lighter weeks, with rules also capping consecutive duty at 24 hours (plus up to six for continuity) and ensuring rest, though compliance and effectiveness remain debated. 

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What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

Do doctors work 7 days on 7 days off?

Yes, many hospital-based doctors, especially hospitalists, work a common "7 days on, 7 days off" schedule, working long shifts (often 12 hours) for a week, including weekends, then having a full week off, which allows for long periods of rest but can lead to burnout during work weeks. This schedule ensures continuity of care for patients but is just one model, with other specialties like emergency medicine or surgery having different patterns, and some doctors even prefer more frequent, shorter shifts.
 

How much do 2 year residents make?

Second-year (PGY-2) residents earn roughly $60,000 to $75,000 annually, with averages around $65,000-$73,000 in 2024-2025, depending on the institution, location, and specialty, with figures like $69,000 at Banner University and $72,672 at UT Southwestern showing typical increases over first-year pay. 

Is residency harder than med school?

Yes, residency is generally considered harder than medical school, but in a different way; medical school is academically intense with exams, while residency trades academic pressure for real-world responsibility, longer hours, physical exhaustion, critical patient-care decisions, and emotional stress, though it's where you truly become a doctor. Residency shifts focus from book learning to hands-on, high-stakes clinical practice, often involving 80+ hour weeks, overnight calls, and constant responsibility for patients' lives, making it more draining on stamina and time. 

Can a neurosurgeon make $1 million a year?

Yes, many neurosurgeons can and do earn over $1 million annually, especially experienced surgeons in private practice or high-demand locations, with some top earners exceeding $2 million through high volume (especially spine), productivity bonuses (RVUs), and call pay, though initial salaries for new graduates are lower but still substantial (often $400k-$700k). 

At what age do most doctors finish residency?

The average age for doctors finishing residency in the U.S. is around 29 to 30, typically after 3-7 years of training post-medical school (which starts around age 26). However, this varies significantly by specialty, with shorter programs (like Family Medicine or Pediatrics) finishing younger (around 29) and longer ones (like Neurosurgery or Plastic Surgery) finishing closer to 32-33; those pursuing additional fellowships can be in their mid-30s.
 

What doctor gets the most vacation time?

Average paid vacation time off by specialty for doctors

• Anesthesiology: 35.
• Cardiology: 28.
• Endocrinology: 25.
• Family medicine: 24.
• Gastroenterology: 25.
• Geriatric medicine: 23.
• Hematology/oncology: 23.
• Hospice/palliative care: 24.

Do residents get paid overtime?

That said, although the resolution to this problem may seem simple, per the AAMC, medical residents are exempt from the FLSA due to the “learned professional exemption,” and therefore not subject to the FLSA requirements regarding overtime pay and minimum wage.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often around the average or slightly below for highly selective MD programs, but strong enough for many schools, especially with an upward trend and a good MCAT score. A 3.7 combined with a strong BCPM (Science) GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) and compelling extracurriculars makes you a viable applicant, though lower GPAs might need more exceptional scores or experiences to compensate. 

How many hours of sleep do resident doctors get?

Resident physicians in all specialties averaged 5.7 hours of sleep a night in PGY-1, and only 13.8 minutes more a night in PGY-2, a nationwide survey shows. Among more than 1,600 PGY-1 residents in 21 specialties, those in pathology got the most sleep, an average of 6.9 hours a night.

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

What are red flags for residency?

Residency red flags are issues in an applicant's record that can raise concerns for program directors, primarily falling into categories like academic performance (failed board exams, low scores, failed courses), gaps in education (unexplained time off, delays in graduating), and professionalism issues (disciplinary actions, legal problems, negative MSPE), along with weak application materials (generic statements, poor LORs) or limited clinical experience. These flags signal potential challenges, but can often be mitigated by explaining the context, demonstrating growth, and showing alignment with the program's values. 

Can a resident call themselves a doctor?

The answer is generally “no,” as the ability to use the title is tied to being licensed by the medical board1.

What doctor has the easiest residency?

Some medical specialties, like family medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics are less competitive, with more residency slots available, making them easier to get into. Specialties like orthopedics and plastic surgery are very competitive because of the rigorous requirements and limited number of residency spots.

What is the highest paid residency?

The highest-paying medical residencies are typically in surgical and procedural specialties like Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Radiology, often paying over $60k-$65k+ annually during residency and leading to much higher physician salaries post-residency, though resident pay varies significantly by PGY year and location. While actual resident salaries rise with training level (PGY), these fields promise the greatest long-term earning potential, with some surgeon roles averaging $650k+ after training.
 

Do doctors get paid while doing their residency?

Yes, doctors absolutely get paid during residency, but it's a salary/stipend for their on-the-job training, not a full physician's wage, typically ranging from around $60,000 to over $70,000 annually, increasing slightly each year, with benefits like health insurance included. While they earn money, it's often seen as modest given the long hours, with compensation varying by location and specialty, notes the American Medical Association (AMA) and Medscape.
 

Can you live comfortably on $70,000 a year in California?

Living comfortably on $70,000 a year in California is challenging in major metro areas like LA or SF, often requiring roommates or strict budgeting, but much more feasible in less expensive regions like the Central Valley or Inland Empire where it can provide a decent lifestyle for a single person. Your comfort level depends heavily on location, lifestyle, and whether you're supporting dependents, as high housing costs in desirable areas significantly stretch this income thin. 

What is the most overworked doctor?

Emergency medicine physicians experience the most intense burnout, with the highest emotional fatigue (68%) and depersonalization (55%). Therapists reported the next-highest rate of emotional fatigue at 61%, along with the highest mental fatigue (77%).

What is the golden rule for doctors?

But the essence of medical ethics, the golden rule, has been largely overlooked or undervalued: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). If man lived alone, a code of ethics would be superfluous; only in society does it become requisite and intelligible.

What's the longest shift a doctor can work?

Yes, doctors can work 24-hour shifts. They are not on their feet, working for the duration of the shift, however. The 24 hours alludes to how long they're on call. Physicians are permitted to rest when they can find time during this shift, but they must be ready to go if or when they are called to attend to a patient.