usa_jcrew68 asked:
I always wanted to be a doctor. I have been in the hotel industry my whole life. I just turned 40. I have a Bachelors degree in Social Science. GPA is 3.5 I graduated a few years ago. AM I TOO OLD TO BE A DOCTOR? I have two real estate properties and a lot of debt. Is it worth it? I could sell my properties and go to med school. I dont know what to do. Im single with no kids. My science is average at best. My math stinks. Its either that or go into construction and make a decent living. My values are aligned with healthcare and NO, I DONT WANT TO BE A NURSE. I want some prestige and money. Most of all I love science and helping people. I was in nursing and I liked it a lot. But nursing wasnt my thing. But I liked the physical aspects, cures, and diagnosing. I have compassion. But then again insurance is high for doctors practicing. Plus, a hella lot of debt after med school at my age. I will be close to 47 with 200k in debt when I graduate. I dont know what to do.
I always wanted to be a doctor. I have been in the hotel industry my whole life. I just turned 40. I have a Bachelors degree in Social Science. GPA is 3.5 I graduated a few years ago. AM I TOO OLD TO BE A DOCTOR? I have two real estate properties and a lot of debt. Is it worth it? I could sell my properties and go to med school. I dont know what to do. Im single with no kids. My science is average at best. My math stinks. Its either that or go into construction and make a decent living. My values are aligned with healthcare and NO, I DONT WANT TO BE A NURSE. I want some prestige and money. Most of all I love science and helping people. I was in nursing and I liked it a lot. But nursing wasnt my thing. But I liked the physical aspects, cures, and diagnosing. I have compassion. But then again insurance is high for doctors practicing. Plus, a hella lot of debt after med school at my age. I will be close to 47 with 200k in debt when I graduate. I dont know what to do.
Help.
Tags: 200k, Insurance, Lot, Math, Physical Aspects
Considering you’ve still got about 20-some years of workable life ahead of you, I’d say… yes. You can be a doctor. Surgeon. By the time you get there, you’d have maybe up to 10 years left to do it.. which is plenty of time to pay off that 200K with money saved.
I think. Good luck at any rate!
if u want 12 more year of schooling i dont see the prob in it. u only have 1 life to live u may as well make the best of it!!!!! good luck
If you would like to become a surgeon you had better be sure that you are doing it for the right reasons. You yourself do not sound convinced, and that worries me.
1) If I had to pick a surgeon to trust with my life, I would want someone who is in the business because they have an intense passion for the operation of the human body, and cares so much about helping people that the money is thought of as a bonus, rather than a priority. You likely won’t get through the intense schooling if you don’t have a more altruistic goal. I doubt that the money will be enough incentive during those 5 hour sleep days and endless assignments. There are easier ways to make money, trust me. I’m a student, and there are nights when I considered giving up my whole life plan because the stress was so overwhelming.
2) Unfortunately from what I hear math plays a rather significant role in medical school, and could be quite the problem for you. If it’s just a matter of lacking the adequate schooling, then go get it. However, if you’re anything like me and the type of thinking required to be good at math – for whatever reason – is lacking, then you will likely have a really hard time. University math starts at a pretty high level. Science, on the other hand, is easier to learn, and you’ll start at a reasonably low level.
However, if you’re sure that this is what you want to do then your age should not be a factor. You can do this, but you must be willing to put everything into it. It won’t be easy.
A couple of alternate suggestions
1) sell your real estate (since you are willing to anyway) and
pay off your debt (or some of it). Depending on how much debt you have, you may be able to work a decent paying job, live in an inexpensive but nice place, and be in a better financial position without changing your life so dramatically.
2) Train to become a Psychologist. A Neuropsychologist may be particularly suited to you. You won’t have to go to medical school (so it costs A LOT less, and insurance won’t be a problem), you’ll get the money, the prestige, the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses. The schooling is rough (I’m doing it) but it’s do-able if you work hard. It’s also better suited for those with math troubles (but you will still have to tackle statistics). This degree will also provide a great variety of job options.
Whatever you decide, do it because it’ll make you happy first – so that YOU feel good for you. The most important people in your life will respect you and support whatever you do (and they matter far more than what the work world thinks of you). Worry about the money later. Living your life to the fullest is so much more important.
Well, since you’ve been a nurse, a lot of what I’m saying you’ll already know.
Medical school will take 4 years, and then regular surgeons have residencies of about 7 years, so imagine 11 years before you actually start making any decent money and having any time to yourself.
But also keep in mind that many people go back to medical school at all sorts of different ages.
Have you thought about what type of setting you would like to work in? Maybe being a PA (physician’s assistant) would work well for you. They usually go to school for 3 to 4 years, make about 60 to 80k and work under a doctor’s supervision, but not under a doctor’s thumb, if that makes sense. I know many of them work in dr’s offices, so they have regular schedules, no on-call, and usually don’t have to pay malpractice (The office will pay it, and believe me, THAT saves you a chunk of change). You still, however, maintain a higher level of autonomy with your patients than a nurse does. You do assessments, diagnose, and can write some prescriptions.