6 year MD program vs. PA/NP vs. RN

[Balance19]

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Hello everyone, this is my first post on Studentdoc. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could give me advice, or simply tell me your opinion (so that I can see new perspectives).

I got accepted into a 6 year MD program last fall, and I'm debating between staying or leaving and pursuing a

different career (perhaps RN or PA). I'm already going to finish my first year in the program, and am already

unhappy. Although I'm just a college freshman (just turned 19 btw), I have already started taking medical

classes (think of it like general MS1 classes)since it's an accelerated program. I fear that I may have already

developed mild depression, since I have not been able to handle my stress appropriately. The classes are

challenging, but not too difficult (I've been getting As and Bs). I feel that I could get all As if I gave it my 100

percent, but have only been giving it about 70-80. However, if I were to give it my 100 percent, I would

barely have any free time (an hour at most once or twice a week). I just feel that this career may not be for me

(due to my personality). My parents pushed me to try out the program for a year and are persistent in me

staying. When I first applied to the program, I truly did feel like this was my calling (to become a physician),

but after one year, I feel like my passion is no longer there. I would occasionally visit these forums before I

started the program, and recall several people saying it was very difficult (not necessarily because of the level

of difficulty, but how much drive and sacrifice is required), but I didn't realize this until now. If

I already believe this, I can't imagine Medical school, then residency. I am leaving the program most likely,

but would like to hear different opinions. As for my other options, I am not sure whether I should

become a Registered Nurse, work for a year or two, then become a Nurse Practitioner or CRNA, OR go

straight for Physician Assistant (or if I should even aim for a career as a midlevel provider, and just look into

other careers). I just feel miserable right now, and I understand that this is an amazing opportunity, and

many would love to be in my position, especially at 19 years old. BUT, it is only an amazing opportunity for

those whom truly want it. I wouldn't want to continue taking a spot that somebody else would take in a

heartbeat. Anyways, I would like to hear any opinions or advice, thank you.

 

[RoadtoMD]

I am really surprised by your post. You are giving it 70% but still doing well.. Yet you want to drop out, and pursue something else in the medical field? That just does not make sense to me. If you are miserable in this program you will probably be as miserable in PA school. From what you said so far I think you should continue your program, just find ways to deal with your depression and misery. In the end it is up to you, but that is my opinion.

 

[Genore]

I'm very sorry to hear that you're not happy with your program. I admit to knowing relatively little about 6 year programs, but I'll give you my input.

First, talk to your program director. Set up a meeting after this semester is over (once you've finished finals and had a good night of sleep or two). Give her/him a good idea of where you're at and how you got there (what feelings/experiences led to your current view that the program is not a good fit). Best case scenario, he/she can point you in the direction of an upperclassman who was in your position and decided to stay and someone who decided to leave. S/he may also be able to point you in the direction of the school's counseling services (which often times are very reduced in price and can help you talk out what you're feeling even if you don't need medication). At the very least, you can alert him/her to issues of lack of support in the program and indicators in an application that a student may not be a good fit for the program (so that another student similar to you won't have to endure a year of a program they hate). Another small possibility is that the program director may be willing to give you a year off to find yourself (study abroad, a year of normal classes, etc.).

Second, think about your support group at school. Do you have one? If I ask you who you would call if your car broke down an hour away from school (and you needed them to drive to get you), your mom died, or you found out another student cheated on a big test (or on a friend) and you weren't sure what to do, would one or more people come to mind? Many freshman, from journalism to math majors and everyone in between, report isolation and lack of a support group as the reason why they decide to leave a school. Could this be part of the reason you're thinking of leaving? Suffering together is far less unpleasant than suffering alone. A lot of people I know were really miserable their first year but found their place sophomore year and were really glad they decided to stick it out another year. (I'm not saying that everyone SHOULD stay 2+ years, but that many people a glad they decided to stay because once they found a better friend group, everything else fell into place. If they had left, they would have probably just had another miserable first year elsewhere.)

Third, I recommend shadowing professionals this summer. Would you have to make a decision before then? If not, then I would arrange at least two days shadowing in the options you're considering switching to, as well as a physician or two in your areas of interest (perhaps a primary care doc if that's what you're thinking).

Fourth, go back and read your essays from when you applied to the program. Why did you like the program enough to apply in the first place? Was there an assumption you made then that failed to hold true? Was has met your expectations? Is the program different from your expectations or have your values/view of yourself changed since then? Have you had the opportunity to step back away from the stress of the semester to reevaluate these things? (My guess is no...take the time this summer before you make a decision, if possible.)

Fifth, forget about what other people would do. Including your parents. Opinions are nearly always well meaning, but you have to do what's best for you. It's much easier to base your trajectory on the advice of others rather than conducting true discernment, but this may lead to unhappiness later on. It's excellent to seek new information, but let that inform your decision not make it. (I think you're doing this, but I feel I still must add this anyway.)

Finally, thank you for the opportunity to give you advice. I hope you get something out of what I've written. At the very least, it has been beneficial to write this out as advice to myself (I'm about to enter the application cycle and my drive is waning as it looms), so thanks for that.

 

[DermViser]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on Studentdoc. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could give me advice, or simply tell me your opinion (so that I can see new perspectives).

I got accepted into a 6 year MD program last fall, and I'm debating between staying or leaving and pursuing a

different career (perhaps RN or PA). I'm already going to finish my first year in the program, and am already

unhappy. Although I'm just a college freshman (just turned 19 btw), I have already started taking medical

classes (think of it like general MS1 classes)since it's an accelerated program. I fear that I may have already

developed mild depression, since I have not been able to handle my stress appropriately. The classes are

challenging, but not too difficult (I've been getting As and Bs). I feel that I could get all As if I gave it my 100

percent, but have only been giving it about 70-80. However, if I were to give it my 100 percent, I would

barely have any free time (an hour at most once or twice a week). I just feel that this career may not be for me

(due to my personality). My parents pushed me to try out the program for a year and are persistent in me

staying. When I first applied to the program, I truly did feel like this was my calling (to become a physician),

but after one year, I feel like my passion is no longer there. I would occasionally visit these forums before I

started the program, and recall several people saying it was very difficult (not necessarily because of the level

of difficulty, but how much drive and sacrifice is required), but I didn't realize this until now. If

I already believe this, I can't imagine Medical school, then residency. I am leaving the program most likely,

but would like to hear different opinions. As for my other options, I am not sure whether I should

become a Registered Nurse, work for a year or two, then become a Nurse Practitioner or CRNA, OR go

straight for Physician Assistant (or if I should even aim for a career as a midlevel provider, and just look into

other careers). I just feel miserable right now, and I understand that this is an amazing opportunity, and

many would love to be in my position, especially at 19 years old. BUT, it is only an amazing opportunity for

those whom truly want it. I wouldn't want to continue taking a spot that somebody else would take in a

heartbeat. Anyways, I would like to hear any opinions or advice, thank you.

What is it of your personality that you feel doesn't fit the career? Amazing that you're only giving 70-80% effort and still getting A's and B's.

 

[DermViser]

I am really surprised by your post. You are giving it 70% but still doing well.. Yet you want to drop out, and pursue something else in the medical field? That just does not make sense to me. If you are miserable in this program you will probably be as miserable in PA school. From what you said so far I think you should continue your program, just find ways to deal with your depression and misery. In the end it is up to you, but that is my opinion.

To be fair the delay of gratification is MUCH less in PA vs. MD, with a great ROI.

 

[Venko]

As a previous 6 year bs md student, I know what you're talking about. As for the 70% thing, I think you are saying you're putting in a 100% effort for something that is sustainable whereas you do have another gear but it wouldn't be sustainable in the long run for you mentally.

What should you do...only you know the answer.

I agree with the previous posts that involve exploring options with your college advisor.

Furthermore, if you can gut out the next year you'll have finished undergrad and will be in a position where the curriculum is no longer moving faster than your future physician candidate peers.

With that said, the program is not for everyone. We had about 50% drop out of my original class.

Is there an option to slow down and make it a 7 or 8 year program? Is it possible that if you went through an easier school system life would be better? Can you gain a better in school support system so that you can achieve the same results with even less effort?

Good luck in your decision,
venko

 

[Lya]

There are challenges for all careers, and other medical career routes can seem easier at the moment. Grass always looks greener on the other side. However, the chances are, you will face similar challenges and struggles in other routes and could potentially ask yourself, "I realized that other medical trainings are just as difficult, so can I go back to my original program and pursue to become a physician?"

I agree with other posts that you should talk to your support groups, fellow classmates, and program advisers in order to find ways to get through your MD program. I would consider other medical choices only when everything else fails, because it seems very common that medical students, let alone 6-year program students, struggle with their transitions and pre-clinical courses. Don't suffer alone.