Am I crazy to want to become a doctor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not go to medical school at this age (I'm 35). It was so much work. I did have one friend in her mid 30's in my medical school class and another friend in her mid-30's in my residency class. I don't know how they did it. If I had to redo things, I would probably be a PA. You get to do essentially the same thing without so much schooling and debt.

My DH is a surgeon and I also recommend the PA route. Significantly shorter training and excellent pay.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate all the insights! I will look into becoming a PA.

[Anonymous]

I want to second the EMT suggestion. You get to be on the front lines and save lives. AND you can still keep your job that you LOVE!!

[Anonymous]

If you do go to med school, say goodbye to your family. Hello to stress. It's not impossible. But it won't be any fun for you, your kids, or your spouse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:37. Two young kids. And a completely unrelated career. But suddenly I'm feeling the drive to study medicine and become a doctor and look after those who are ill and need healing.

Is it too late?

If you're serious, you should go ahead and take the first steps in the process and see how you feel about it. I did this with nursing in my late 20s, which a small child. I took the prerequisite and got into a top nursing program but decided to stick with my career in the corporate world, at least until my child is older. I wasn't ready for the sacrifices of giving up income, time and lifestyle for something I wasn't even sure I would enjoy. I also worked in a large hospital as a CNA part time to get a feel for the medical environment before taking the plunge. Decided I like my cushy corporate lifestyle much better than working weekends, nights and 12 hr shifts, and holidays, especially as a single mom. Maybe I'll change my mind once my child is older, but I'm glad I at least thoroughly explored the option instead of just talking myself out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to second the EMT suggestion. You get to be on the front lines and save lives. AND you can still keep your job that you LOVE!!

Thanks! I will give it a try to see if I am suitable for that high-pressure environment. I would love to be useful in this manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:37. Two young kids. And a completely unrelated career. But suddenly I'm feeling the drive to study medicine and become a doctor and look after those who are ill and need healing.

Is it too late?

If you're serious, you should go ahead and take the first steps in the process and see how you feel about it. I did this with nursing in my late 20s, which a small child. I took the prerequisite and got into a top nursing program but decided to stick with my career in the corporate world, at least until my child is older. I wasn't ready for the sacrifices of giving up income, time and lifestyle for something I wasn't even sure I would enjoy. I also worked in a large hospital as a CNA part time to get a feel for the medical environment before taking the plunge. Decided I like my cushy corporate lifestyle much better than working weekends, nights and 12 hr shifts, and holidays, especially as a single mom. Maybe I'll change my mind once my child is older, but I'm glad I at least thoroughly explored the option instead of just talking myself out of it.

Thank you for sharing your experience and for the suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Op - it is not an option for you. Not until you get in.

[Anonymous]

How are your grades and test taking abilities?

It isn't so easy to just become a doctor. I know ivy league educated guys who never got acceptance into med school.

[Anonymous]

What about a nurse practitioner - my sil is a psych np and can prescribe meds. She has her own practice and makes about 200k per year with good hours. Doesn't take insurance and charges 200$ and up an hour.

[Anonymous]

I'm 38, have 2 kids, and am a nurse practitioner. I was just telling a patient yesterday how glad I am I never really considered going to medical school. What I do (outpatient clinic, in a specialty field which I love) is very similar to what the physicians I work with do, but my debt load is way less and I don't have to take call or work weekends.

All of that said, even becoming an NP (or a PA--which is different, with some limitations on practice--which I'd look into and consider before heading too far down either path) is not something you can do in a year or two. Any program I'm aware of would expect you to have some medical background--EMT, hospital volunteering--and you would likely need updated pre-reqs. Becoming an NP requires a Masters and even though there are a handful of direct-entry NP programs I have to tell you they are really frowned on by all of the nurses and NPs I know. I think it would be possible to find a job after one of those programs but not a great NP job.

In my case, I went back to school for a second bachelors (BSN) in my late 20s (after a year of pre-reqs while I was working in a medical field and volunteering in a hospital), worked as a bedside nurse for many years while having my kids and also getting my MSN part-time, and became an NP in my early 30s. All told I've gone to school for so long I could have done med school BUT I was able to do school in a much more flexible, sometimes part-time way which would have been impossible had I been doing med school.

So, I don't think you're crazy but I would do a lot more research before settling on a path. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are your grades and test taking abilities?

It isn't so easy to just become a doctor. I know ivy league educated guys who never got acceptance into med school.

My grades and test-taking abilities were always strong, but I've been out of school for a while now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about a nurse practitioner - my sil is a psych np and can prescribe meds. She has her own practice and makes about 200k per year with good hours. Doesn't take insurance and charges 200$ and up an hour.

OP here. I can see myself either pursuing psych or GP. Thanks for sharing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 38, have 2 kids, and am a nurse practitioner. I was just telling a patient yesterday how glad I am I never really considered going to medical school. What I do (outpatient clinic, in a specialty field which I love) is very similar to what the physicians I work with do, but my debt load is way less and I don't have to take call or work weekends.

All of that said, even becoming an NP (or a PA--which is different, with some limitations on practice--which I'd look into and consider before heading too far down either path) is not something you can do in a year or two. Any program I'm aware of would expect you to have some medical background--EMT, hospital volunteering--and you would likely need updated pre-reqs. Becoming an NP requires a Masters and even though there are a handful of direct-entry NP programs I have to tell you they are really frowned on by all of the nurses and NPs I know. I think it would be possible to find a job after one of those programs but not a great NP job.

In my case, I went back to school for a second bachelors (BSN) in my late 20s (after a year of pre-reqs while I was working in a medical field and volunteering in a hospital), worked as a bedside nurse for many years while having my kids and also getting my MSN part-time, and became an NP in my early 30s. All told I've gone to school for so long I could have done med school BUT I was able to do school in a much more flexible, sometimes part-time way which would have been impossible had I been doing med school.

So, I don't think you're crazy but I would do a lot more research before settling on a path. Good luck!

Thanks, PP. This is really informative!

[Anonymous]

The medical training process is incredibly stressful, and you will be not be making money for a long time. At least 7 years during which you acquire a large debt while putting nothing into your savings or retirement. Your family will not see much of you, and when they do you will be exhausted. At the end of training you have a ridiculous debt to start paying off.

I agree that becoming a PA at this point is a much better route to go.