Medical School as Second Career

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to work in an ER look into being an emergency nurse practitioner instead.

Thank you. I've learned in life that I am pretty calm under stressful situations, and, while I suspect a lot of ED work is slow and boring, I would love to help people in emergency medical situations.

ED work is s lot if things, but it isn’t slow or boring.

I should have stated it as, I know it isn't always exciting or like a TV show. I know it is very busy!

Any thoughts on other pps responses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at 53

This. But also depending on why you want to do it. To work as a physician and treat patients, no. It’s a very long and hard road and by the time you complete all successfully you’ll be close to 65 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it’s not fair but my husband said they made fun of their older classmates and they just weren’t able to keep up.

I don’t believe you.
No one is able to keep up. It’s the proverbial drinking from a fire hose.

I don't believe you either. Sounds like your DH and his friends were jackasses. My DH had a second career peer and all respected him for the different things he brought to the table.

[Anonymous]

I would not. Training is brutal and incredibly expensive. My DH and many of his peers were burnt out by 2nd year of residency. A few only practice to pay off their debt. I don't know of many that truly enjoy practicing medicine anymore.

I don't recommend it to people in college, but def would not in your 50s. There are many other more rewarding paths you can pursue. Personally I would try PT or OT.

[Anonymous]

PA school has science pre requisites that would take more than a year of school. Look into nursing.

[Anonymous]

At that age even if you get accepted into medical school you will find it hard to get into residency. Visit the non-traditional forum on Student Doctor Network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you do PA or NP route instead?

+100

Don't get hung up on being an MD. You can do most of what you want as a PA or NP.

except money

[Anonymous]

Medical school is really hard
Taking the Boards are really hard

[Anonymous]

There was a 61 year old who graduated from the medical school at Michigan State. You might want to Google and see the story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it feasible to make a switch to become a doctor? I’d have to take the pre - medicine requirements, which would take at least a year, before taking the MCAT.

I’m in good health and still have a lot of energy. Is it feasible? I initially would like to work in emergency medicine or stay flexible and see if I like another field while in school.

What is your first career? Are you employed now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medical school is really hard
Taking the Boards are really hard

Also incredibly expensive.

[Anonymous]

By the time you finish medical school you will be near 60 at best. I would think you'd have an extremely hard time matching into a residency--they are going to want to focus their training resources and government funding on people who will have long careers in medicine. And I'm not sure they're wrong. We have a doctor shortage in this country and they need to get the best return on investment.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, not at age 53.

DH is a surgeon. It took him 4 years of college + 4 years of med school + 5 years residency + 1 year fellowship.

We know a few guys who went to med school as a second career but they started the change before 40. I remember thinking our one friend was nuts for starting the process at age 39. He started med school at 41, finished at 45 and did a 3 year residency.

DH had a resident who was in his late 30s/early 40s. He was considered the senior resident and everyone constantly cracked jokes about how old he was. He was not that old so he just took it and started an attending job. I know his family went into a lot of debt for him to pursue being a doctor and they live modestly like when he was a resident so that he can pay off his med school debt. So at a time where you should have a decent retirement, he is starting with $300k debt and no house.

[Anonymous]

I'm just going to say it. It will never happen for you. But there are other careers mentioned here that might interest you.

[Anonymous]

I am honestly not sure if medical school can be a second career just because of how many years you have to spend studying but if you want to get into medicine maybe you should try nursing school instead? The process itself is shorter and costs less that's for sure.
I mean I myself am a business manager and my husband is a thoracic surgeon and as someone who was there all these years I am telling you it is a very very long journey. It's 3 years pre-med 4 years of medical school then 5 years of residency and if he wants to sub-specialize it's another 3 years, so keep that in mind. My husband loves it though. He loved medicine and of course the money is very good. He worked really hard for his place. He is originally from Barbados and is a proud Trinity Medical school alumni. (If you guys are interested in med school they have an amazing program there. You can check it here: trinityschoolofmedicine.org ) and even though he had to pass USMLE he did so with ease. Like I said med school is fun and challenging at the same so if you really love it do pursue your dreams but maybe a Nurse Practitioner or a RN instead of a doctor?