Medical School as Second Career

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

I meant to add I’m 53.

[Anonymous]

Even if you did general medicine, medicine is at least 1-2 years of pre-reqs, 4 years of school and at least 2 years of residency which would put you nearly at retirement age and in a heap ton of debt when you'd first start practicing. Look into becoming a PA instead.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the schools you are considering. It costs a lot to educate a physician so there is less time for you to work. That said you would bring great life experiences to the school. In my med school class we happened to have many second career med students, previous Deputy Sheriff, Lawyer, RN. But was this was not true for classes before and after mine.

[Anonymous]

300k student loan debt

[Anonymous]

Not at 53

[Anonymous]

Can you do PA or NP route instead?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t do it. There is a reason most people go to med school in their twenties. I am on my mid-forties now, and I expect to sleep most nights and be treated with a certain amount of kindness and respect. I could live without those three things in my twenties, but I’m not sure that I could/would do it now.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I’ll look into the PA route. Any recommendations for good programs in DC or Maryland? Sure I know I can Google it but wondering if any of you have insight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to the schools you are considering. It costs a lot to educate a physician so there is less time for you to work. That said you would bring great life experiences to the school. In my med school class we happened to have many second career med students, previous Deputy Sheriff, Lawyer, RN. But was this was not true for classes before and after mine.

Yeah but the second career people are usually younger than 53.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.