Hello, all. I'm currently a 28-year-old paramedic with a BA in Psychology from a respected university. I originally wanted to be a psychologist, then a psychiatrist, and ultimately a doctor in general - regardless of the specialty. I'm about to start taking my prerequisites for med school/PA programs, but I'm indecisive on which career to go towards. I'll spare you the long reason as to why I want to go into medicine, but I can assure you it's for the right reasons. I was working an unfulfilling job out of high school, left a Fortune 500 company to work as an EMT for clinical experience (and 1/3 the pay), downgraded my home and car, and haven't regretted a second of it. I enjoy what I do, I love treating patients, and I'm happy to make a positive impact.
Although my biggest interest is in medicine, I do have some other interests like investing in real estate, starting businesses (I own a charitable one now), traveling, marrying my long-time girlfriend, writing books, and the like. I know I can do all of these things while in med school or after, but I'm unsure on which route to take.
I was originally going to try to go to PA school. I can finish ~ 6 years sooner, possibly even get a second master's degree, travel sooner, get married sooner, and do all the things I want in medicine. On the other hand, it's only 6 years longer and I could be an actual doctor. When I'm 48 years old, I think I would regret not becoming a physician. I know there are plenty of military individuals who go into their branch, do their 7 years, then start their undergrad and go to med school. I'm basically in their position age-wise, so I don't think of it as being that old. Regardless of age, I think I would be happier as a physician, have more potential in my other endeavors, and not have any regrets with things. But... I don't want to become a doctor for the wrong reasons.
I enjoy the medical field and when I see the roles of PA's and doctors, I think I'd prefer to be a doctor. I barely graduated high school and want to be a voice of inspiration to those who were in my shoes that you can do anything, as cliche as it sounds. I also think I may be able to do all these things while being a PA, but I also feel like I've experienced plenty to not be so negative about the process itself (med school + residency) of being a doctor. I used to work construction for $10/hr until I'd come home and be too tired to even eat and go straight to bed. I've been so severely depressed that I've sold everything I had just so I didn't have to go to a job I hated anymore. I filed bankruptcy at 22 years old. I've gotten through all these things and now have a degree, I'm licensed as a paramedic, have donated over $3,000 worth of items to those in need through my company, volunteered over 2,000 hours to a suicide hotline, read over 250 books, and haven't been depressed in roughly 2 years by changing my mindset. This mindset change is one of the many reasons I'd gotten so interested in medicine, as I started to learn about neuroplasticity.
I don't mean to rant or sound like I've been through so much at 28. I have, but I haven't. People obviously have had it a lot worse, of course. I'm just saying that my mindset is fully for the better now and the process of med school doesn't seem as horrible to me than a lot of people make it out to be. I'm not trying to sound ignorant either. I know it's difficult, it's just that I feel like I'd possibly embrace that difficulty with a lot more grace than a more traditional student.
Any thoughts about things? Do you regret going the MD route? Is PA a solid option or would you have always regretted not chasing your dream of being a doctor?
Although my biggest interest is in medicine, I do have some other interests like investing in real estate, starting businesses (I own a charitable one now), traveling, marrying my long-time girlfriend, writing books, and the like. I know I can do all of these things while in med school or after, but I'm unsure on which route to take.
I was originally going to try to go to PA school. I can finish ~ 6 years sooner, possibly even get a second master's degree, travel sooner, get married sooner, and do all the things I want in medicine. On the other hand, it's only 6 years longer and I could be an actual doctor. When I'm 48 years old, I think I would regret not becoming a physician. I know there are plenty of military individuals who go into their branch, do their 7 years, then start their undergrad and go to med school. I'm basically in their position age-wise, so I don't think of it as being that old. Regardless of age, I think I would be happier as a physician, have more potential in my other endeavors, and not have any regrets with things. But... I don't want to become a doctor for the wrong reasons.
I enjoy the medical field and when I see the roles of PA's and doctors, I think I'd prefer to be a doctor. I barely graduated high school and want to be a voice of inspiration to those who were in my shoes that you can do anything, as cliche as it sounds. I also think I may be able to do all these things while being a PA, but I also feel like I've experienced plenty to not be so negative about the process itself (med school + residency) of being a doctor. I used to work construction for $10/hr until I'd come home and be too tired to even eat and go straight to bed. I've been so severely depressed that I've sold everything I had just so I didn't have to go to a job I hated anymore. I filed bankruptcy at 22 years old. I've gotten through all these things and now have a degree, I'm licensed as a paramedic, have donated over $3,000 worth of items to those in need through my company, volunteered over 2,000 hours to a suicide hotline, read over 250 books, and haven't been depressed in roughly 2 years by changing my mindset. This mindset change is one of the many reasons I'd gotten so interested in medicine, as I started to learn about neuroplasticity.
I don't mean to rant or sound like I've been through so much at 28. I have, but I haven't. People obviously have had it a lot worse, of course. I'm just saying that my mindset is fully for the better now and the process of med school doesn't seem as horrible to me than a lot of people make it out to be. I'm not trying to sound ignorant either. I know it's difficult, it's just that I feel like I'd possibly embrace that difficulty with a lot more grace than a more traditional student.
Any thoughts about things? Do you regret going the MD route? Is PA a solid option or would you have always regretted not chasing your dream of being a doctor?