Advice for a possible med student

[TigerFan22]

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Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum, so please forgive me if you have already seen a million questions like mine. I looked, but didn't find anything specific to my dilemma.

I am a recent BS graduate and do not like where that has put me in the career field. I am currently a social worker. My BS is in Psychology (emphasis on neuropsychology) and a minor in Biology. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do as an undergrad, but I realized that I REALLY liked neurology during the neuropsych classes. I have been going back and forth between several career options (all of which require further education because I realize that I do not like psychology). I have looked into becoming an MD, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Speech Pathologist, medical technician, psychiatrist, etc. I can't seem to decide on one particular route to go. I want to make good money, but I don't need to be in the 200,000's to be happy. I definitely have some squeamish tendencies towards blood. I may be able to get over it after a while, but I KNOW I don't want to be dealing with it throughout my entire career. I definitely do not want to be a surgeon. I was a lifeguard for several years throughout high school, and I dealt with bloody injuries fine there. However, I think the adrenaline was probably helping me get through that. I always feel like I'm going to pass out whenever I have to get a shot or give blood, or if I see someone messing with their cuts, injuries, etc.

My question is.... What medical careers are out there that: make decent money, don't deal with much blood, have good hours, and deal with neurology. Is there such a career?? I think I would like being a PA in a Neurologist office, but I'm worried about going through school for PA with my squeamishness towards blood.

Any advice would be sooo helpful! I am pulling my hair out trying to make a sound decision for my future! 😕

 

[maceo]

physical therapist in a stroke unit

nurse in a stroke unit
optometry
occupational therapist.
thats all i can think of now

 

[TexasPhysician]

Become a neurologist. General surgery and ob/gyn are the only rotations you have to do in med school that involve much blood. If you can suck it up for a few months, you'll never deal with it again.

 

[Law2Doc]

Become a neurologist. General surgery and ob/gyn are the only rotations you have to do in med school that involve much blood. If you can suck it up for a few months, you'll never deal with it again.

Not really. First, there's some blood in IM (you will probably do some procedures) too. Second, someone squeamish about blood is going to be squeamish about CSF as well, so I doubt a field where you will be doing your fair share of spinal taps is the best choice. Third, I also note that most neuro residencies require a preliminary (intern) year in medicine or surgery, so as a prelim year resident you will be doing plenty of lines and procedures.

Psych is the only path where you can probably avoid blood significantly.

 

[sarahg]

Psychiatry or clinical psychology. You might enjoy psychiatry more due to the neurology aspect -- you won't be using neurology as much as a neurologist obviously, but you need neuroscience to understand all the disorders you'll be treating. You could also become a clinical psychologist with a neuro specialization and bypass the blood altogether. But, only go into clinical psych if you genuinely prefer it over psychiatry -- contrary to what people here might tell you it won't really save you much time or money (4 year med school + 4 year residency compared to 5-7 year PhD + 1-2 year postdoc -- psych school is a bit cheaper as PhDs tend to receive funding but you won't make as much money later on so it evens out).

 

[gonj]

forget med school and become a clinical psychologist. even if you want to work in psychiatry, you will have to see plenty of blood en route to psych residency. same for pa and np school.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Not really. First, there's some blood in IM (you will probably do some procedures) too. Second, someone squeamish about blood is going to be squeamish about CSF as well, so I doubt a field where you will be doing your fair share of spinal taps is the best choice. Third, I also note that most neuro residencies require a preliminary (intern) year in medicine or surgery, so as a prelim year resident you will be doing plenty of lines and procedures.

Psych is the only path where you can probably avoid blood significantly.

In ICU IM you may see some blood. I've finished my first 4 weeks of inpatient IM, and I have yet to see any blood that isn't in a Foley. So far IM is just paperwork and medication/test management. Boring. Just my personal opinion though.

CSF is clear like snot, so I would think it would be different. Then again I met a urologist who was completely disgusted by snot..... 😕

 

[TexasPhysician]

Psychiatry or clinical psychology. You might enjoy psychiatry more due to the neurology aspect -- you won't be using neurology as much as a neurologist obviously, but you need neuroscience to understand all the disorders you'll be treating. You could also become a clinical psychologist with a neuro specialization and bypass the blood altogether. But, only go into clinical psych if you genuinely prefer it over psychiatry -- contrary to what people here might tell you it won't really save you much time or money (4 year med school + 4 year residency compared to 5-7 year PhD + 1-2 year postdoc -- psych school is a bit cheaper as PhDs tend to receive funding but you won't make as much money later on so it evens out).

I'm confused. Clinical psych IS psychiatry.

 

[TexasPhysician]

"I definitely do not want to be a surgeon. I was a lifeguard for several years throughout high school, and I dealt with bloody injuries fine there. I always feel like I'm going to pass out whenever I have to get a shot or give blood, or if I see someone messing with their cuts, injuries, etc. "


I actually DO pass out whenever I get shots.....to this day. I think a lot of medical students are a little squemish at first. Is it something you could handle sporadically for a couple years before you become an outpatient neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.? I've already dragged 3 medical students out of surgeries after they've passed out. They get right back in there and try again.

It all depends on how much you want it.....

 

[sarahg]

I'm confused. Clinical psych IS psychiatry.

Not really. Clinical psychologists can't prescribe medication and psychiatrists often refer patients to psychologists for CBT/talk therapy, ADHD testing, etc.

 

[phospho]

Not really. Clinical psychologists can't prescribe medication and psychiatrists often refer patients to psychologists for CBT/talk therapy, ADHD testing, etc.

i agree... they are very different... clinical psych is a PhD program (though I'm pretty sure that some states now let clinical psychs prescribe medications if they take extra coursework).

I am a psych major and looked into clinical psych for a bit, but then changed my mind. It's worth mentioning that clinical psychology is EXTREMELY competitive... very few people can get into the few programs that exist.

 

[sarahg]

i agree... they are very different... clinical psych is a PhD program (though I'm pretty sure that some states now let clinical psychs prescribe medications if they take extra coursework).

I am a psych major and looked into clinical psych for a bit, but then changed my mind. It's worth mentioning that clinical psychology is EXTREMELY competitive... very few people can get into the few programs that exist.

I'm a psych major and considered clinical psychology as well, but I just don't really subscribe to the philosophy of it. To me it feels like psychology is generally more about dealing with the symptoms of a disorder and psychiatry is more about dealing with the causes. Someone who is interested in the neuroscience and pharmacology of depression isn't going to be happy doing talk therapy. Plus, most psych degrees are more about doing research than learning clinical skills. There are PsyDs for people interested in clinical skills but they aren't as respected (the idea in psych that aspiring to be an academic is more noble and respectable than aspiring to be a clinician really gets on my nerves).

Anyways, it's really no easier to get into than med school, the requirements are just different. You can't rely on numbers, it's all about your research experience, and being able to seem interesting enough to a professor that they want YOU to be the one person that they select to spend a lot of time with over the next 5 years. It's always weird to me when people suggest being a psychologist as a backup to getting into medical school because they're just as competitive.

 

[phospho]

I'm a psych major and considered clinical psychology as well, but I just don't really subscribe to the philosophy of it. To me it feels like psychology is generally more about dealing with the symptoms of a disorder and psychiatry is more about dealing with the causes. Someone who is interested in the neuroscience and pharmacology of depression isn't going to be happy doing talk therapy. Plus, most psych degrees are more about doing research than learning clinical skills. There are PsyDs for people interested in clinical skills but they aren't as respected (the idea in psych that aspiring to be an academic is more noble and respectable than aspiring to be a clinician really gets on my nerves).

Anyways, it's really no easier to get into than med school, the requirements are just different. You can't rely on numbers, it's all about your research experience, and being able to seem interesting enough to a professor that they want YOU to be the one person that they select to spend a lot of time with over the next 5 years. It's always weird to me when people suggest being a psychologist as a backup to getting into medical school because they're just as competitive.

It used to confuse me too, but the thing is that psychology is closer to philosophy than it is to science or anything clinical. If you have some time on your hands, there's this old thread that is totally worth reading.

Academic psychology has become a sham, a dishonest lynch mob

 

[Van Chowder]

ok 1 Phospho if thats you in the picture.. you are freaking gorgeous!

2. ( op ) Stop being a brat and get over your it! Seriusly. As the educated individual that you are you should know that the blood is not armed and dangerous.. it will not rob you of your lunch money or steal your significant other. This would be a terrible reason to miss out on a wonderful profession in medicine, and I guarentee you will feel some sort of selling your self short should you do anything BUT be an MD/DO if that is what you really want to do.
Suck it up.