Views held by medical students on their remaining in a medical career or leaving it and the relationship with other elements of becoming a doctor are described. The study was carried out with a self-administered questionnaire with general medical students randomly selected in Hungary. Depending on whether they want to remain in the profession or want to leave it, medical students were divided into two groups. A significant difference was revealed between the two groups with regard to the strength of their dedication to the profession. The medical students indicated that their decision to leave or stay with medicine is conditioned by subjective factors. Our results could contribute to shaping of a better professional identity during training/socialisation, as well as to a better understanding of job abandoners.