Don't know anymore..

[thehappydoctor]

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hi guys 🙁

I'm feeling unsure about medicine now. recently I've been in a research lab working here and also doing clinical experience both things I've been waiting for forever..and this is gonna sound cliche but its starting to become a bit unglamorous..theoretically i love medicine/helping people etc. but i found my career to be something else now...probably in finance..but I'm not sure what i want

Anyone else recall having these type of feelings? Will they go away? Any way i ca put myself to some sort of test to see what I REALLY want?

 

[punkedoutriffs]

I have had the same feelings and actually struggled for years over how I could really KNOW what I want. Many people will tell you the same. In terms of dealing with it though, that is very individual. What is your situation? How old are you, what brought you to medicine in the first place? What was your conception of medicine before? What is it now?

 

[MicroSteph]

I recommend talking to people in the fields you're interested in. Discuss what it's like to be a financial adviser, private or public, and gauge whether the work and lifestyle interests you more than medicine. It's fine not to be interested in medicine, but you better figure it out before you make a big investment.

 

[carnelian]

hi guys 🙁

I'm feeling unsure about medicine now. recently I've been in a research lab working here and also doing clinical experience both things I've been waiting for forever..and this is gonna sound cliche but its starting to become a bit unglamorous..theoretically i love medicine/helping people etc. but i found my career to be something else now...probably in finance..but I'm not sure what i want

Anyone else recall having these type of feelings? Will they go away? Any way i ca put myself to some sort of test to see what I REALLY want?

lol, just came from your other post about finance/law; guess my recommendation to go into research doesn't apply anymore. What kind of clinical experiences have you been getting? If it's just sitting in an office watching your family doc talk to patients, I can understand why it's boring for you. Remember, when you're actually a doctor, you'll be doing the talking, thinking, and prescribing; not just watching. Perhaps try taking on a more active role in your experiences. Assist with taking vitals and patient history, volunteer as an EMT, etc.

If you end up not liking that either, it's fine and still early in the game. I haven't experienced this myself, but I don't think it's atypical for premeds to doubt medicine. That's why we shadow right? To see what it's actually like and not just want we theoretically think it is. Your feelings may or may not go away; give it a little more time and try different things. Not sure how to put yourself to more of a *test* than what I've already suggested.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

hi guys 🙁

I'm feeling unsure about medicine now. recently I've been in a research lab working here and also doing clinical experience both things I've been waiting for forever..and this is gonna sound cliche but its starting to become a bit unglamorous..theoretically i love medicine/helping people etc. but i found my career to be something else now...probably in finance..but I'm not sure what i want

Anyone else recall having these type of feelings? Will they go away? Any way i ca put myself to some sort of test to see what I REALLY want?

Clinical experience and shadowing should tell you if you really want a career in medicine. Personally, every week when I finish my shift volunteering at the clinic, I want to be a doctor more than ever. If your clinical experience doesn't leave you wanting to do or learn more, I would think long and hard about wanting to make medicine your career.

And as a non-trad coming from the business world... If you think medicine and research aren't as glamorous as they seem, just wait until you get to the cube farm. Oh boy.

 

[xxhopefulxx]

If I were you I would try taking some classes in other areas that you are interested in. Also consider talking to ppl in the field that you may be interested.

 

[Alejandro]

I think what you really need to do is apply yourself in determining that answer. Lots of people make their decisions on what medicine is just because of what you see in TV shows, etc. And people are enchanted by being the next millionaire or Trump or something.

As others have said, you really need to explore the professions themselves, to see what they actually do, instead of going off of what you think they do.

 

[thehappydoctor]

I have had the same feelings and actually struggled for years over how I could really KNOW what I want. Many people will tell you the same. In terms of dealing with it though, that is very individual. What is your situation? How old are you, what brought you to medicine in the first place? What was your conception of medicine before? What is it now?

Thanks for relating to me! Finally someone feels like I do! My situation is nothing special, just a premed in undergrad. i always wanted to be in medicine to save people's lives, help them out,etc. Now, I feel that this is a very idealistic view and that the mindset in the hospital i'm in ( a very prestigious hospital in the US: probably the biggest) is that "theres only so much you can do to help a patient" and it all seems much more business-y than what i imagined. Obviously the doctors here are doing a really good job and patients are getting better but its all so...not like i imagined..🙁

 

[thehappydoctor]

I recommend talking to people in the fields you're interested in. Discuss what it's like to be a financial adviser, private or public, and gauge whether the work and lifestyle interests you more than medicine. It's fine not to be interested in medicine, but you better figure it out before you make a big investment.

I think you are absolutely right. I will try and see if I can shadow or meet an investment banker or someone in finance. Maybe even get work in a firm for a while. Perhaps once my view on that is clarified, I can fix my perspective on medicine.

 

[thehappydoctor]

lol, just came from your other post about finance/law; guess my recommendation to go into research doesn't apply anymore. What kind of clinical experiences have you been getting? If it's just sitting in an office watching your family doc talk to patients, I can understand why it's boring for you. Remember, when you're actually a doctor, you'll be doing the talking, thinking, and prescribing; not just watching. Perhaps try taking on a more active role in your experiences. Assist with taking vitals and patient history, volunteer as an EMT, etc.

If you end up not liking that either, it's fine and still early in the game. I haven't experienced this myself, but I don't think it's atypical for premeds to doubt medicine. That's why we shadow right? To see what it's actually like and not just want we theoretically think it is. Your feelings may or may not go away; give it a little more time and try different things. Not sure how to put yourself to more of a *test* than what I've already suggested.

My clinical experience is shadowing several psychotherapists, neurologists, and radiologists in a very big, prestigious research-oriented hospital. ( At the same time, I am also working full time in a research lab doing neurology studies here) I have been doing it for the past few months. I understand what you are saying about being more active in these fields and I will follow up on that suggestion, maybe it will help. Thanks so much for your help, I will give it more time and try to motivate myself more.

 

[thehappydoctor]

Clinical experience and shadowing should tell you if you really want a career in medicine. Personally, every week when I finish my shift volunteering at the clinic, I want to be a doctor more than ever. If your clinical experience doesn't leave you wanting to do or learn more, I would think long and hard about wanting to make medicine your career.

And as a non-trad coming from the business world... If you think medicine and research aren't as glamorous as they seem, just wait until you get to the cube farm. Oh boy.

I realize the business world isn't all Brooks Brothers Suits but I feel I want to experience that as well. My intuition is telling me that finance is right for me and i want to be able to shadow someone in this field before taking the decision to keep pursuing the med school dream or not. Thanks for your input.

 

[thehappydoctor]

If I were you I would try taking some classes in other areas that you are interested in. Also consider talking to ppl in the field that you may be interested.

Truth. I will try doing both! Thanks!

 

[thehappydoctor]

I think what you really need to do is apply yourself in determining that answer. Lots of people make their decisions on what medicine is just because of what you see in TV shows, etc. And people are enchanted by being the next millionaire or Trump or something.

As others have said, you really need to explore the professions themselves, to see what they actually do, instead of going off of what you think they do.

Well, I mean I think shadowing at this hospital has really shown me some sides of medicine I didn't consider before so that in itself is applying myself to the field. As for finance, yes I will pursue an opportunity to see what this is really like.

 

[lobo.solo]

hi guys 🙁

I'm feeling unsure about medicine now. recently I've been in a research lab working here and also doing clinical experience both things I've been waiting for forever..and this is gonna sound cliche but its starting to become a bit unglamorous..theoretically i love medicine/helping people etc. but i found my career to be something else now...probably in finance..but I'm not sure what i want

Anyone else recall having these type of feelings? Will they go away? Any way i ca put myself to some sort of test to see what I REALLY want?

If you really like to help people why not become a social worker, psychologist, or evens nurse-> NP. Finance is at the opposite side of the spectrum because they don't actually help people those in need...

 

[thehappydoctor]

If you really like to help people why not become a social worker, psychologist, or evens nurse-> NP. Finance is at the opposite side of the spectrum because they don't actually help people those in need...

nope. this is not about questioning my motivations as to why i wanted to be a doctor so don't even go there.

 

[Geebeejay]

Keep in mind that you chose medicine because you want to be a doctor, but one of the reasons you want to be a doctor is because you need a career. All careers are gonna have their ups and downs, and they weren't designed to be fun or entertaining all the time....they were designed as a service, and in return for performing this service, you get money.

Medicine is nice in that you get a little extra reward, and it's a little extra interesting, and requires a distinct type of critical thinking and responsibility. But it's still a career, and there are going to be times where you are going to have to do things you don't want to do, and put up with bull**** you don't want to put up with, and annoying, disgusting procedures.

But if you think the better parts of the job are worth it, then you should just stick with it, because it'll keep you thinking and interested, and quite frankly, it's pretty damn hard to find a job in most other fields right now anyway. Just remember that most people don't like their jobs, so if you end up liking it, you'll be one of the lucky ones.

 

[thehappydoctor]

Keep in mind that you chose medicine because you want to be a doctor, but one of the reasons you want to be a doctor is because you need a career. All careers are gonna have their ups and downs, and they weren't designed to be fun or entertaining all the time....they were designed as a service, and in return for performing this service, you get money.

Medicine is nice in that you get a little extra reward, and it's a little extra interesting, and requires a distinct type of critical thinking and responsibility. But it's still a career, and there are going to be times where you are going to have to do things you don't want to do, and put up with bull**** you don't want to put up with, and annoying, disgusting procedures.

But if you think the better parts of the job are worth it, then you should just stick with it, because it'll keep you thinking and interested, and quite frankly, it's pretty damn hard to find a job in most other fields right now anyway. Just remember that most people don't like their jobs, so if you end up liking it, you'll be one of the lucky ones.

Thanks for your input! Yes you are right there are downsides to every job and up sides as well. I definitely do need to re-evautaluate what I consider the ups and downs of medicine and your answer has given me some motivation 🙂

 

[starsworld]

Good luck making up your mind! I kind of understand what you're going through since I am now trying to decide what I want to do with my life. Not everyone is 100% dead-set on medicine as the only career that he or she wants to do with his or her life and some people have to keep looking and checking to make sure.

 

[elitechrstn]

You probably just need more time to think about it. Don't wait too long though.

 

[thehappydoctor]

Good luck making up your mind! I kind of understand what you're going through since I am now trying to decide what I want to do with my life. Not everyone is 100% dead-set on medicine as the only career that he or she wants to do with his or her life and some people have to keep looking and checking to make sure.

Thanks for the encouraging words!! Yeah, I don't know why I'm faltering all of a sudden..before i was completely dead-set on being a doctor..

 

[thehappydoctor]

You probably just need more time to think about it. Don't wait too long though.

Absolutely right! Thanks for advice! 🙂