Giving up a well paid career and going to school for 11yrs at a later age sure is a challenging choice to make. I’m right now in that position, and would like to know what you guys did to know that Med school is your calling. It is especially crucial for people like me in their late twenties, when you are expected to earn and take care of a family, and not go to school and earn huge student loans. I’m planning to volunteer and shadow, and may be read some biology books(to see if I like biology) that will help me decide. I have been into my present career choice for only 3yrs. Anyone switched careers so early in their professional life? I understand that every one’s experience is different, but please share your experience.
Q1-What made you go for Med school?
Q2-What did you that helped you decide that Med school is your calling?
Delimma -
Perhaps rather than biology books, may I recommend reading “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Paul Farmer
warning: this book may lead to rampant idealism!
I’m a poor one to answer your questions because I had already worked in nursing for many, many years so I had a very good idea of what I’d be doing as a doctor. And years ago, I didn’t want to do it! I guess wanting to direct care, control my practice, be able to function independently, and treat the whole family were all factors. Not doing some kind of healthcare is a non-starter for me - been passionate about healthcare since a wee tike.
Kate
A1: The planets aligned and I stopped ignoring the little voice in my head.
A2: Volunteered in a busy ER, talked to anyone and everyone I knew who had any experience in health care, read Genome by Matt Ridley and White Coat by Ellen Rothman.
Q:Anyone switched careers so early in their professional life? I understand that every one’s experience is different, but please share your experience.
A:I decided to change after only 2 years time in the professional year out of college. I got into the breadth of what my career was going to be like for the next few years and couldn’t stand it. I hated it, everything about it. It was extremely frustrating to be around those people and I had a want to do something to help people. I can’t look back on my life and not be satisfied with what I have done. I have a need to help. I think many of us on here have that feeling, it isn’t a want, we all want to get ice cream from here to there, but we don’t need it. We need it because it is apart of us.
Q1-What made you go for Med school?
A1: I love science, I love everything about it, I conffered with a former chemistry professor and talked to her about what I could do and what she thought about me doing medicine and she was completely behind me. I love being involved with people, collaborating, conversing, the whole nine yards. On top of that, it’s a challenge, and I love the thought of a constant challenge in my life to strive to always be better.
Q2-What did you that helped you decide that Med school is your calling?
A2: I talked. Talked a lot, to everyone and everything. Talk to yourself, talk to idols, talk to important people who REALLY know you. Talk to people in the field and get involved. Volunteering is an important aspect in this journey and having that experience will reaffirm your want if that is what you truly wish to do. I LOVE my volunteer positions, and I love everything that I do. The more I get involved, the more I know that what I am doing is right for me.
Thanks all for your response. Indie, you put it into words what I couldn’t express, thank you!! I’m going to bookmark this page so I can come back and look here if I’m losing the steam any time.
Any more people who can share your thoughts? Your response will be much appreciated
Q1-What made you go for Med school?Perhaps this question could be rephrased, What made you decide you wanted to me a physician?. Answer: I worked in a very large (300 physician) formal health care facility to pay my way through college and for a few year afterward, while I helped run a free clinic in the evenings. At the daytime facility, I felt that patients were not being treated very well by the physicians and staff. There was a lot of waste of materials and supplies. There was too much paperwork and forms. I could see lots of ways that the staff could make their patients’ lives easier while they were being seen in our offices and clinics. I could also see ways to cut waste and save the facility money. I made lots of suggestions, but since I was a lowly MA, no one appeared to take me seriously. The evening free clinic offered limited services due to both budgetary constraints and staffing shortages. It was always difficult to get physicians to work with the underserved, especially those who had unusual or less-socially-acceptable lifestyles (homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, runaways, illegal aliens) or where there was a language barrier. I also volunteered in a mobile clinic and in the ER for years. All the while, I continued to see ways to do things differently.
Q2-What did you (do) that helped you decide that Med school is your calling?Again, this could be rephrased to replace “Med school” with “physician” or “medical doctor”. Answer:
Q2-What did you (do) that helped you decide that Med school is your calling? Again, this question could be rephrased to replace “Med school” with “physician” or “medical doctor”. Answer: I met two Americans living abroad (one a lay health worker, the other a nurse) who started their own free clinics for the rural poor that streamlined the process of providing health care, with minimal formalities, hierarchies, or paperwork. I continue to volunteer at one of these clinics, commuting from the U.S. monthly for a few days or a week. I would eventually like to do something similar in the U.S., but in order to do so, I would need the legal permission and medical skills to start one. I have tried several times to set one up where I live (California) but it has been difficult to convince physicians and nurses to join me.