Finishing Residency/Fellowship Training at late 30s.

[holdmystethoscope]

I am an MS-IV, currently applying for residencies in the Northeast. I am going for Internal med and possibly do a fellowship afterwards. I will be 37 if I do a Cardio/GI fellowship
MY Question is, how possible it is to start attending life on late 30s, make decent $$ and have a good work life balance! I entertained the idea of EM and Anesthesia. I absolutely enjoyed EM but not a fan of the variable work days/hours and nightshift of EM and Anesthesia just isn't my cup of bubble tea!
I would love to hear from any physician who finished their trainings on their late 30s or early 40s and if they felt overworked to play catch up on finance. Thank you.

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[GastriqueGraffin]

A difference of 2 years. Depends on how important that money is during those 2 years. If you have a family depending on you and a lot of debt maybe it’s more important. If you just want a flashy lifestyle sooner then I don’t know what to say. Even as a fellow you have a pretty decent salary compared to most people and it really boils down to doing what you love.

 

[Redpancreas]

I'm just a resident in IM in my 20s, so I can not speak to the financial aspect and being older/wiser. I've recently experienced a major set back in my training and I'm learning from that is that medicine's tough no matter what you choose. There will likely be some bumps along the road in life whether that's an issue in training, a family issue, a malpractice lawsuit. At the end of the day, you should pursue something that plays to your strengths that you're willing to get out of bed for. I think the two decision points you can focus on are:

1.) Specialist v. Generalist.
2.) Predictable vs. Unpredictable Hours involved as you've already alluded to. Keep in mind residency will be chaotic no matter what.

 

[holdmystethoscope]

A difference of 2 years. Depends on how important that money is during those 2 years. If you have a family depending on you and a lot of debt maybe it’s more important. If you just want a flashy lifestyle sooner then I don’t know what to say. Even as a fellow you have a pretty decent salary compared to most people and it really boils down to doing what you love.

Thank you. My clerkship experience for IM was cut short due to COVID. Didn't get to meet any internist/cardiologist/GI attending who inspired me. Most specialists/IM docs tend to be super busy in NY/NJ area. I,however, met some ER docs and anesthesiologists who took time to motivate me to go towards their fields. But I think going into IM will make me happier. I am in 280K loans so far!

 

[holdmystethoscope]

I'm just a resident in IM in my 20s, so I can not speak to the financial aspect and being older/wiser. I've recently experienced a major set back in my training and I'm learning from that is that medicine's tough no matter what you choose. There will likely be some bumps along the road in life whether that's an issue in training, a family issue, a malpractice lawsuit. At the end of the day, you should pursue something that plays to your strengths that you're willing to get out of bed for. I think the two decision points you can focus on are:

1.) Specialist v. Generalist.
2.) Predictable vs. Unpredictable Hours involved as you've already alluded to. Keep in mind residency will be chaotic no matter what.

I can already tell you are an amazing doc haha. you have a way of breaking down complicated decisions into uncomplicated little pieces. I appreciate you took the time to comment. I am most likely going to do Internal med and do a fellowship. HOpe to end up at a practice where I will be able to have a good work life balance. Hope residency is going well and you are staying safe!

 

[Animalcules]

Almost every MD/PhD...

 

[Redpancreas]

Thank you. My clerkship experience for IM was cut short due to COVID. Didn't get to meet any internist/cardiologist/GI attending who inspired me. Most specialists/IM docs tend to be super busy in NY/NJ area. I,however, met some ER docs and anesthesiologists who took time to motivate me to go towards their fields. But I think going into IM will make me happier. I am in 280K loans so far!

I feel terrible for the M3 IM rotators who had their training during COVID. Regarding the loans, I'm someone who was aggressive in paying back my student loans during residency, but I have heard by mouth of those who pay low amounts over long time periods who ultimately have their loans either forgiven or pay it in significant chunks once they get their attending salary. The interest on a 280K loan is scary and I'm not sure how long interest will be deferred, but as long as you're compliant with your payments, I do not see how it would prevent you for from providing for the family.

 

[holdmystethoscope]

I feel terrible for the M3 IM rotators who had their training during COVID. Regarding the loans, I'm someone who was aggressive in paying back my student loans during residency, but I have heard by mouth of those who pay low amounts over long time periods who ultimately have their loans either forgiven or pay it in significant chunks once they get their attending salary. The interest on a 280K loan is scary and I'm not sure how long interest will be deferred, but as long as you're compliant with your payments, I do not see how it would prevent you for from providing for the family.

Thank you, COVID definitely effected us very badly. Lots of my classmates had zero Internal medicine clinical experience. I am just hoping to enjoy learning a tons during residency and hopefully after I become an attending, I wont have to overwork and have a good work-life balance.

 

[chessknt]

You are probably going to have to deal with nights and unpredictable hours in GI/cards. EMTALA means if you want to get privileged in a hospital to earn all that procedure money you gotta take call. And people GI bleed and get arrhythmias/STEMIs at night.

 

[eteshoe]

Almost every MD/PhD...

I was just about to say this lol....as someone who'll be finished w/ hem/onc fellowship by the time I'm 39/40

 

[gutonc]

I was just about to say this lol....as someone who'll be finished w/ hem/onc fellowship by the time I'm 39/40

Yup...I started my first real job 4 weeks after my 40th birthday. Really hitting my stride (professionally at least) within spitting distance of my 50th.

You'll survive. Or you won't.

 

[DocMom1]

Your age really doesn't matter if you love what you're doing.

 

[CatFactorial]

Your age really doesn't matter if you love what you're doing.

Or if you're immortal. What?

 

[deleted980918]

Most cardiologist don’t become attending until 33 or 34-35 if you do IC/EP even if you went straight without a gap. That 2-3 years of difference from your situation, in my opinion, is not worthy enough to deter a professional decision on which specialty to go into. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Kaustikos]

*raises hand* no ****s given

Or if you're immortal. What?

We can't all be Keanu Reeves or Paul Rudd