I'm 25 and need help on what to pick for medical field.

[DNegron]

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Hi Everyone,
I just need some advise on what I should choose for a medical career, I am 25 and I only have computer certificates but I work for a good company and the pay is just Ok. I have always thought about going into the medical field as my mother is a Doctor Pharmacist and my aunt is a nurse ( I am not bragging at all just in case anyone see's it that way). I feel that is it kind of late to go into the medical field but I still want to and I have problems with math. I just wanted to know if I should still pursue a medical career and if so how would I know what exactly to choose that will make good money. Is it still worth going back to school even though I haven't been in school for 5 years? Serious answers only please.

Thank you

 

[kinokoboy]

I feel like flaming you.

 

[notbobtrustme]

It depends on what your goals are.

Medical training, from the start of medical school to when you can practice independently, is a 7-10 year journey at the minimum. If you want to specialize (eg oncology) you can tack on even more years. You typically need a Bachelor's degree with a high GPA (>3.5 at least) and an MCAT score >80th percentile. Those are just the written requirements. You will also need to volunteer, shadow and generally show a high level of motivation for pursuing a medical career.

The consensus is that if you go into medicine, you need more motivation than just the money. You will not have any income for 4 years, have between 150k and 250k in debt, then make around 50,000 for your residency training while working 70-80+ hours a week. Even after residency, you are looking at between a 50 and 70 hour work week as an attending until you crawl out of the bottom-bitch position.

 

[ShoTyme]

Hi Everyone,
I just need some advise on what I should choose for a medical career, I am 25 and I only have computer certificates but I work for a good company and the pay is just Ok. I have always thought about going into the medical field as my mother is a Doctor Pharmacist and my aunt is a nurse ( I am not bragging at all just in case anyone see's it that way). I feel that is it kind of late to go into the medical field but I still want to and I have problems with math. I just wanted to know if I should still pursue a medical career and if so how would I know what exactly to choose that will make good money. Is it still worth going back to school even though I haven't been in school for 5 years? Serious answers only please.

Thank you

Definitely not. If you want more money, go get a business degree and be a mid-level manager at some insurance company. You will have a much easier life and probably make better money than you are now.

 

[MedPR]

Hi Everyone,
I just need some advise on what I should choose for a medical career, I am 25 and I only have computer certificates but I work for a good company and the pay is just Ok. I have always thought about going into the medical field as my mother is a Doctor Pharmacist and my aunt is a nurse ( I am not bragging at all just in case anyone see's it that way). I feel that is it kind of late to go into the medical field but I still want to and I have problems with math. I just wanted to know if I should still pursue a medical career and if so how would I know what exactly to choose that will make good money. Is it still worth going back to school even though I haven't been in school for 5 years? Serious answers only please.

Thank you

If that's your motivation you won't make it.

 

[TriagePreMed]

If that's your motivation you won't make it.

Yup. Anyone entering the medical field should assume they will make the lowest a doctor can make since that's a very possible reality. Always strive for better, but don't count that you will end up doing derm or rads.

 

[NightGod]

Yup. Anyone entering the medical field should assume they will make the lowest a doctor can make since that's a very possible reality. Always strive for better, but don't count that you will end up doing derm or rads.

Dunno about you, but I'm going to be an Anesthedermopthoadiologist!

 

[kinokoboy]

My mom's a doc and she loves her patients, but she told me to NEVER EVER go into pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine because after a while the patients start to get on your nerves and don't stop complaining about bull****.

 

[TheNewDocToBe]

My mom's a doc and she loves her patients, but she told me to NEVER EVER go into pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine because after a while the patients start to get on your nerves and don't stop complaining about bull****.

Human... never feels satisfied with money and career advancement.

I wonder what your mom wrote in her personal statement or how many hours she showed up at the soup kitchen to convince the adcomms that she was more altruistic then other applicants. Then, now what?

No offense, but personally, I don't wanna be in medicine if I don't like being around people. One should quit this profession if it's just started. Otherwise I cannot imagine how painful a life it's gonna be..

 

[deleted382095]

Hi Everyone,
I just need some advise on what I should choose for a medical career, I am 25 and I only have computer certificates but I work for a good company and the pay is just Ok. I have always thought about going into the medical field as my mother is a Doctor Pharmacist and my aunt is a nurse ( I am not bragging at all just in case anyone see's it that way). I feel that is it kind of late to go into the medical field but I still want to and I have problems with math. I just wanted to know if I should still pursue a medical career and if so how would I know what exactly to choose that will make good money. Is it still worth going back to school even though I haven't been in school for 5 years? Serious answers only please.

Thank you

You would be able to work as a registered nurse making avg. 45K+/yr with only an associate degree from a community college.

 

[notbobtrustme]

I wonder what your mom wrote in her personal statement or how many hours she showed up at the soup kitchen to convince the adcomms that she was more altruistic then other applicants. Then, now what?

Well, 20-30 years ago, the criteria to become a doctor was definitely not what it is today. In the 80s, it was pretty much GPA + MCAT. It's only really in the mid-90s that ECs really ballooned out of control.

 

[kinokoboy]

You seem to misunderstand what I wrote. My mom loves her patients but she didn't go into general medicine because the patients tend to be meaner and it's hell-on-wheels dealing with the insurance companies.

 

[MedPR]

Dunno about you, but I'm going to be an Anesthedermopthoadiologist!

You forgot about ortho 🙂

My mom's a doc and she loves her patients, but she told me to NEVER EVER go into pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine because after a while the patients start to get on your nerves and don't stop complaining about bull****.

You seem to misunderstand what I wrote. My mom loves her patients but she didn't go into general medicine because the patients tend to be meaner and it's hell-on-wheels dealing with the insurance companies.

😕 How would your mom know any of this to be fact? Did she start in any of those specialties then do another residency or fellowship in something else?

 

[MedPR]

Well, 20-30 years ago, the criteria to become a doctor was definitely not what it is today. In the 80s, it was pretty much GPA + MCAT. It's only really in the mid-90s that ECs really ballooned out of control.

Also I've heard that the old old MCAT was more of a personality test than a comprehensive final exam of pre-reqs.

 

[johnnyscans]

We're getting trolled here, right?

 

[kinokoboy]

How would your mom know any of this to be fact? Did she start in any of those specialties then do another residency or fellowship in something else?

My mom's good friends with several FM doctors and I eat dinner with them a couple times a month and get to hear what they like and don't like about their practice(s). Also, the medical director at my lab started in pediatrics and loved treating kids but couldn't stand the parents so he switched to GI.

Are you still confused?

 

[TriagePreMed]

Human... never feels satisfied with money and career advancement.

I wonder what your mom wrote in her personal statement or how many hours she showed up at the soup kitchen to convince the adcomms that she was more altruistic then other applicants. Then, now what?

No offense, but personally, I don't wanna be in medicine if I don't like being around people. One should quit this profession if it's just started. Otherwise I cannot imagine how painful a life it's gonna be..

This is ridiculous. The mom is talking about after awhile[/] and patients that are annoying. It has nothing to do with being socially reserved or altruism. Simple minded people think that their 3-4 hours a week in a soup kitchen is equivalent to 60-80 hours of physician work with people complaining.

 

[wholeheartedly]

DNegron,


There a lot of different healthcare related jobs, which seems to be more of what you're asking than just if you should become a physician.

What sort of interests do you have relating to healthcare? Have you spent any time working, volunteering, or shadowing in a healthcare setting? There are quite a few different healthcare jobs with a dependable income and good job security, but money shouldn't be your only motivator for switching fields as it's not a good fit for everyone. You might have other options in different fields as well. If you don't have a lot of experience doing work of some type in a healthcare setting you should start by trying to volunteer somewhere first.

As for whether or not it's too late, if you're willing to learn, and put in the time and work to make the switch it's not too late. Quite a few people shift gears after being out of school for awhile.

Talk a bit about what appeals to you in healthcare and maybe we can make some suggestions for career paths.

 

[MedPR]

My mom's good friends with several FM doctors and I eat dinner with them a couple times a month and get to hear what they like and don't like about their practice(s). Also, the medical director at my lab started in pediatrics and loved treating kids but couldn't stand the parents so he switched to GI.

Are you still confused?

So your mom's small circle of friends is representative of every physician in those specialties? Good use of the scientific method there. Anyone who picks or gets stuck in the wrong specialty for them is going to be unhappy about something. Most people will be unhappy about something even if everything works out and they get the exact job they wanted. It's interesting that you think your whiny mom and her friends think they're the only ones with some unruly patients.

By her (and your) logic, you should also avoid:
Oncology: your patients are all potentially deathly ill and will be unhappy.
Geriatrics: patients complaining about aches and pains.
Rheumatology: See Geriatrics.
PM&R: See Rheumatology.
Sports Medicine: See PM&R.
Dermatology: People complaining about their rashes/acne/skin cancers.
Plastics: Your patients are all unsatisfied with their appearance and will complain to you about it.
All other surgery: People complaining and crying about how their scared they'll die on the table.
Emergency Medicine: people with flu like symptoms wasting your time and trauma patients screaming non stop.
Gastroenterology: I'm no expert, but I doubt you'll have people fighting to be first in line to have a scope stuck down their throat or up their ass.
Radiology: Doctors complaining that you took too long to overread their imaging.
Cardiology: People complaining of chest pain and how they spent 16 hours in the ED waiting room just to get a nitro tab.
Don't even get me started on Psych.


Your only option is to become a pathologist and work in autopsy.

Edit: In case you didn't know, most people don't go to see a doctor when they're feeling well.

 

[Equestrian]

Maybe it's just me, but I didn't think OP was asking for advice about which medical specialty - I interpreted the question as asking what health profession (pharmacist, RN, PA, etc.) might be a good fit? Perhaps I'm just giving OP the benefit of the doubt?

 

[TheNewDocToBe]

So your mom's small circle of friends is representative of every physician in those specialties? Good use of the scientific method there. Anyone who picks or gets stuck in the wrong specialty for them is going to be unhappy about something. Most people will be unhappy about something even if everything works out and they get the exact job they wanted. It's interesting that you think your whiny mom and her friends think they're the only ones with some unruly patients.

By her (and your) logic, you should also avoid:
Oncology: your patients are all potentially deathly ill and will be unhappy.
Geriatrics: patients complaining about aches and pains.
Rheumatology: See Geriatrics.
PM&R: See Rheumatology.
Sports Medicine: See PM&R.
Dermatology: People complaining about their rashes/acne/skin cancers.
Plastics: Your patients are all unsatisfied with their appearance and will complain to you about it.
All other surgery: People complaining and crying about how their scared they'll die on the table.
Emergency Medicine: people with flu like symptoms wasting your time and trauma patients screaming non stop.
Gastroenterology: I'm no expert, but I doubt you'll have people fighting to be first in line to have a scope stuck down their throat or up their ass.
Radiology: Doctors complaining that you took too long to overread their imaging.
Cardiology: People complaining of chest pain and how they spent 16 hours in the ED waiting room just to get a nitro tab.
Don't even get me started on Psych.


Your only option is to become a pathologist and work in autopsy.

Edit: In case you didn't know, most people don't go to see a doctor when they're feeling well.

+1 👍

 

[vc7777]

My mom's good friends with several FM doctors and I eat dinner with them a couple times a month and get to hear what they like and don't like about their practice(s). Also, the medical director at my lab started in pediatrics and loved treating kids but couldn't stand the parents so he switched to GI.

Are you still confused?

I'm confused, because I thought the director in your lab was your gay dad's husband and was a GI pathologist - not a gastroenterologist? Did I miss something?

Sent from my phone

 

[deleted382095]

I'm confused, because I thought the director in your lab was your gay dad's husband and was a GI pathologist - not a gastroenterologist? Did I miss something?

Sent from my phone

He said GI not gastroenterologist....and yeah he works in his dad's bf's lab who happened to be an associate professor at a local med school. I think I've spent too many hours on here lol

 

[vc7777]

He said GI not gastroenterologist....and yeah he works in his dad's bf's lab who happened to be an associate professor at a local med school. I think I've spent too many hours on here lol

OK - Well there seems to be some confusion (not on my part) about terminology - his step-dad is a pathologist. That's the part I remembered, and just double checked - he specialized in GI path. This part I forgot. So - on that note - my apologies. However, he's not a GI doc.

"GI" almost always means an internal medicine doc with a fellowship in gastroenterology, by the way which is very different. Now if you are at USCAP (the annual meeting) and talking to all pathologists for a whole week - you can drop the "pathologist" moniker - because it is implied. But in a general discussion - it's kinda the more important descriptor. If anything, he should describe his dad as a pathologist.

Also - note GI docs are medicine folk - NOT colorectal surgeons.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I feel like flaming you.

YOU don't get to flame ANYONE Mr. "I wanna see an abortion"

My mom's a doc and she loves her patients, but she told me to NEVER EVER go into pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine because after a while the patients start to get on your nerves and don't stop complaining about bull****.

You have yet to earn the right to flame anyone with your troll posts

 

[MedPR]

He said GI not gastroenterologist....and yeah he works in his dad's bf's lab who happened to be an associate professor at a local med school. I think I've spent too many hours on here lol

OK - Well there seems to be some confusion (not on my part) about terminology - his step-dad is a pathologist. That's the part I remembered, and just double checked - he specialized in GI path. This part I forgot. So - on that note - my apologies. However, he's not a GI doc.

"GI" almost always means an internal medicine doc with a fellowship in gastroenterology, whic by the way which is very different from a pathology residency. Now if you are at USCAP (the annual meeting) and talking to all pathologists for a whole week - you can drop the "pathologist" moniker - because it is implied. But in a general discussion - it's kinda the more important descriptor. If anything, he should describe his dad as a pathologist.

Also - note GI docs are medicine folk - NOT colorectal surgeons.

I thought GI doc/gastroenterologist are synonymous? 😕 I know that a GI isn't a colorectal surgeon though.

 

[vc7777]

I thought GI doc/gastroenterologist are synonymous? 😕 I know that a GI isn't a colorectal surgeon though.

You are correct sir. I am mobile and I posted in haste. This is what I intended to say.

Sent from my phone

 

[Poetic Silence]

I saw GI and thought general internal medicine.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I saw GI and thought general internal medicine.

No that would be IM

 

[Poetic Silence]

No that would be IM

Yeah, but peds to GI seemed like an odd switch until I realized he meant pathology.

 

[StarlingForce1]

If that's your motivation you won't make it.

Reading this just took the edge off my Ambien. Damn, now I'll never get to sleep. Don't go into medicine. You will falter if this pursuit is followed on financial pretenses.

 

[StarlingForce1]

Sorry medPR, I meant to quote the person you quoted.

 

[MedPR]

Sorry medPR, I meant to quote the person you quoted.

Haha no problem. I figured that's what you meant 🙂

 

[Mjolner]

Dunno about you, but I'm going to be an Anesthedermopthoadiologist!

Yeah, but the only residency spot for it is reserved for a DO/JD/CPA and is located at Brigadoon Medical Center. Also, you have to do a rotation as a NHL goalie to even get an interview.

 

[jatt12]

Hi Everyone,
I just need some advise on what I should choose for a medical career, I am 25 and I only have computer certificates but I work for a good company and the pay is just Ok. I have always thought about going into the medical field as my mother is a Doctor Pharmacist and my aunt is a nurse ( I am not bragging at all just in case anyone see's it that way). I feel that is it kind of late to go into the medical field but I still want to and I have problems with math. I just wanted to know if I should still pursue a medical career and if so how would I know what exactly to choose that will make good money. Is it still worth going back to school even though I haven't been in school for 5 years? Serious answers only please.

Thank you

Seriously

 

[xxx2012]

Seriously

what's the confusion? The OP just asked a simple question to get feedback. I get it your are psyched you get to start Harvard in 2 years according to your signiture but not everyone has that all lined up.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get it reserved that far in advance?

 

[jatt12]

what's the confusion? The OP just asked a simple question to get feedback. I get it your are psyched you get to start Harvard in 2 years according to your signiture but not everyone has that all lined up.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get it reserved that far in advance?

Lol I am current student, and that is my graduation year.

 

[xxx2012]

Lol I am current student, and that is my graduation year.

ok Doc, my mistake.

Why raz the guy about his question though? Seems straight forward and honest enough of a question to ask in the nontrad thread.

 

[MedPR]

what's the confusion? The OP just asked a simple question to get feedback. I get it your are psyched you get to start Harvard in 2 years according to your signiture but not everyone has that all lined up.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get it reserved that far in advance?

ok Doc, my mistake.

Why raz the guy about his question though? Seems straight forward and honest enough of a question to ask in the nontrad thread.

Because going into medicine for the money is idiotic.

 

[Mjolner]

Money has never been a motivator for me, but I know a few docs and most of them work a LOT less hard than some people I know making a 1/5 of the doc's salary and some of these people work two or three jobs to make ends meet.
If they could matriculate, they would give their right arm to ONLY work 60-70 hours a week. AND at least have something to show for it at the end of the day.
I think pre-meds and med students often forget how hard some people work and still can't afford to buy their kids the things they want/need. The most heavily worked/lowest paid doc can at least afford that.

Edited due to colossal sentence failure.

 

[MedPR]

Money has never been a motivator for me, but I know a few docs and most of them work a LOT less hard than some people I know making a 1/5 of the salary of some people who work two or three jobs to make ends meet.
If they could matriculate, they would give their right arm to ONLY work 60-70 hours a week. AND at least have something to show for it at the end of the day.
I think pre-meds and med students often forget how hard some people work and still can't afford to buy their kids the things they want/need. The most heavily worked/lowest paid doc can at least afford that.

Lots of pre-meds and med students come from the types of families you describe (myself included). Saying going into medicine for the money is a bad idea is not an insult to people in lower paying professions.

 

[Mjolner]

I didn't say it was an insult.
I said that people work harder for less. I work in a public service field making very little for the past decade and love it, like I said, money has never been a motivator for me. I just never shook my desire to become a doctor and heal the sick. I look forward to opportunities to volunteer my time at free clinics(as a doc this time around) and to take part in international medical missions. I have no interest in working anywhere but an undeserved community. I developed a strong desire to give back after college and I feel that people who enter medicine for any other reason is counter to the spirit of the profession.
That being said, if they are a good doctor, I don't care if they are doing it because they love the color scrubs that hospital lets them wear. The idealistic child in me cries a little bit, but the pragmatic adult in me says let the healer work. In the end it's about helping patients, right?

 

[xxx2012]

Do we really believe that if Doctors made less than nurses people would still have waiting lists to get into MD programs?

The status and pay can't be the only reasons, but I hear medics (of all levels) belly ache non-stop about "not enough pay, I wouldn't recommend it to any of my kids" and "Obama wants my house"(whatever that means)

So there must be some financial aspect to it.

 

[MedPR]

Do we really believe that if Doctors made less than nurses people would still have waiting lists to get into MD programs?

The status and pay can't be the only reasons, but I hear medics (of all levels) belly ache non-stop about "not enough pay, I wouldn't recommend it to any of my kids" and "Obama wants my house"(whatever that means)

So there must be some financial aspect to it.

Nobody said there isn't a financial aspect to it, but if it's your primary or even one of your main reasons, you need to find a different profession.

 

[xxx2012]

Nobody said there isn't a financial aspect to it, but if it's your primary or even one of your main reasons, you need to find a different profession.

That can be said for any field. Don't study medicine unless you want to practice medicine, don't study law unless you want to practice law, don't join the Army unless you want to kill people, I can see that for all career fields I guess.

That being said I suspect most people in college only think they have a clue what they "want" to do, and are more focused on what they have the ability to do, and picking the best career choice basd on those abilties.

I know a lot of people who woke up one day with an MBA or a PhD in a Busfield and thought to themselves, "How the F'did I get here, and more importantly what the F'do I do now?"

 

[WTEngel]

I think most people take issue with the question because statements like "is it worth it" and "will the pay be ok" indicate a complacent or flippant attitude to the whole process.

The truth of the matter is, if you can not emphatically say "this is absolutely worth it!" then you start off at a severe disadvantage. There are times during your undergrad and I am sure during medical school where being able to say "this is absolutely worth it" is the only thing that will keep you going.

My inclination is this is either a trollish posting or someone who has done zero independent research on what all medical school, PharmD, nursing, etc. entail...

The money thing is an entirely different issue. If you are passionate and enjoy the hell out of what you are doing, then the pay will be great, no matter what the salary is. If you question yourself "is this worth it" every morning before you go to work, then no salary will ever be sufficient.

 

[xxx2012]

That is very inspirational, but it sounds like you never have tried to feed a family of 4 on a single workers minimum wage part time salary. After that, opinions on ideology change a bit.

 

[Poetic Silence]

That is very inspirational, but it sounds like you never have tried to feed a family of 4 on a single workers minimum wage part time salary. After that, opinions on ideology change a bit.

Sell your kids on eBay.

 

[HDaddyDollarz]

OP,

going MD/DO is probably not realistic for you given you situation, you can look into DPM or PA, they can make as much as FP docs, DPM's have a great lifestyle, make lots of money, can do surgery, and your patients will think your an orthopod

 

[WTEngel]

That is very inspirational, but it sounds like you never have tried to feed a family of 4 on a single workers minimum wage part time salary. After that, opinions on ideology change a bit.

Not a lot of physicians I know making a minimum wage part time salary.