In need of motivation....

[Cale]

Hello everyone!

I've been a member at this site for almost 2 years now. I feel as if I know everyone very well even though I mostly just read rather than post. I've been giddy about medical school for years and have done a great deal of research. I'm now towards the end of the road and will be taking the MCAT in March and applying this coming year. The problem is that now I'm starting to question whether this is the right choice. It seems ridiculous to have gone this far just to turn my back and walk away.

I think the thing that worries me is the amount of commitment involved. I'm married so my wife will follow wherever I end up and I know she'll be behind me 100%. The truth is that I'm 24 and would love to settle down and do things like buy a house and start a family. This idea is a blurr since I have a minimum of 8 years before I'm done.

I already have a degree in Computer Information Systems, but absolutely hate the job. Picture the movie office space and you have a carbon copy of my daily life. I have shadowed many doctors and most seem to love what they do. Radiology is something that interested me greatly until I shadowed one. He told me not to attend medical school and that nursing school is the best way to go. What should I take from something like that? I always thought radiology was the creme of the crop in that you have great hours and minimal on call. Family is important to me so this was something that stuck out. He also told me that he has a pile of loans that hangs on his back like a monkey. The main thing that has put me on hold is that I've shadowed 3 doctors out out of 8 that don't like their job. Some said it outright, but others you could just tell. This is something you find in every occupation, but I want to make sure before I dive into medical school and reach the point of no return.

I feel that I'm just stuck at the moment. I haven't been like this in so long since I always had something to be working towards in order to get into medical school. I guess I'm just needing a little bit of motivation. Has anyone else felt the same as I do right now?

I want to be a doctor. I know that I would make a damn good one as well. I've always wanted to work as a family physician and treat patients for the long term. I want my patients to not fear their doctor. I want to give them insightful information to let them know fully what's going on and not just give them a pill and send them on their way. This is very important to me and I feel it's currently lacking in the medical field.

This is a big decision and I want to make the right one. Thanks for reading this post and I appreciate anyone who's willing to reply.

Thanks!

-Cale

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[nshalaby]

I want to be a doctor. I know that I would make a damn good one as well. I've always wanted to work as a family physician and treat patients for the long term. I want my patients to not fear their doctor. I want to give them insightful information to let them know fully what's going on and not just give them a pill and send them on their way. This is very important to me and I feel it's currently lacking in the medical field.

I havent been on the site very long, however, it seems like you have the motivation. The road to become a doctor may seem tough or long and that maybe some of the doubt that your feeling. The fact that you are so confident in why you want to become a doctor and that your wife will stand by you is awesome...it doesnt seem like you'll have any regrets if you continue

 

[beckhunter116]

Well based on your shadowing 5 out of 8 were happy then right? If we polled everyone here I'd say we've all shadowed a Dr. who said be an RN, PA, NP, and so on. There are a lot of unhappy people in every profession. Only you know what will bring you happiness. On that note you should go into this with your eyes wide open. Healthcare reform is on the horizon, you are committing to at least 7yrs of living on loans/residency pay, you will work with others who could be bitter and miserable, and patients won't listen to you. These are some of the negative things that you must be thinking of. Of course, there are plenty of positives you will change peoples lives, some patients will be thankful and follow your advice, and that you are going to have the provilege of being with people during some of their most life changing moments.

Last, I wouldn't go to medical school with your heart set on one residency. While it may be possible to get that residency, (if years later you haven't changed your mind) how would you feel if you couldn't get it and you had to do something else? Good luck.

 

[SporkInaWall]

Hello everyone!

I've been a member at this site for almost 2 years now. I feel as if I know everyone very well even though I mostly just read rather than post. I've been giddy about medical school for years and have done a great deal of research. I'm now towards the end of the road and will be taking the MCAT in March and applying this coming year. The problem is that now I'm starting to question whether this is the right choice. It seems ridiculous to have gone this far just to turn my back and walk away.

I think the thing that worries me is the amount of commitment involved. I'm married so my wife will follow wherever I end up and I know she'll be behind me 100%. The truth is that I'm 24 and would love to settle down and do things like buy a house and start a family. This idea is a blurr since I have a minimum of 8 years before I'm done.

I already have a degree in Computer Information Systems, but absolutely hate the job. Picture the movie office space and you have a carbon copy of my daily life. I have shadowed many doctors and most seem to love what they do. Radiology is something that interested me greatly until I shadowed one. He told me not to attend medical school and that nursing school is the best way to go. What should I take from something like that? I always thought radiology was the creme of the crop in that you have great hours and minimal on call. Family is important to me so this was something that stuck out. He also told me that he has a pile of loans that hangs on his back like a monkey. The main thing that has put me on hold is that I've shadowed 3 doctors out out of 8 that don't like their job. Some said it outright, but others you could just tell. This is something you find in every occupation, but I want to make sure before I dive into medical school and reach the point of no return.

I feel that I'm just stuck at the moment. I haven't been like this in so long since I always had something to be working towards in order to get into medical school. I guess I'm just needing a little bit of motivation. Has anyone else felt the same as I do right now?

I want to be a doctor. I know that I would make a damn good one as well. I've always wanted to work as a family physician and treat patients for the long term. I want my patients to not fear their doctor. I want to give them insightful information to let them know fully what's going on and not just give them a pill and send them on their way. This is very important to me and I feel it's currently lacking in the medical field.

This is a big decision and I want to make the right one. Thanks for reading this post and I appreciate anyone who's willing to reply.

Thanks!

-Cale

You're right in the fact that this is a big decision. You're right in saying the whole medical school route is a very long process. It should be a big decision and it should be a long process. I'd put a wager in saying that at least two of those three disgruntled physicians didn't know truly what they were getting into. As you've probably seen from shadowing eight physicians thus far, their are a lot of problems and negative issues in healthcare. If an individual is knowledgeable about these issues going into the profession, if an individual realizes that they WILL be dealing with these issues as a practitioner, their level of expectation of the profession will be on target. Satisfaction is, after all, based wholly expectation.

I love your goal of wanting to "give patients insightful information to let them know fully what's going on and not just give them a pill and send them on their way". You have to know, you have to expect, that you will not always be able to do this. You have to realize that many patients are fishing for drugs. You have to realize that many patients simply can't comprehend exactly whats going on. You have to understand that many patients don't want to to be told realities and truths. You'll have to realize that the insurance game will take a significant amount of your resources and your time away from patients. You have to understand that you'll have a room full of patients, some of them very impatient, wanting to and expecting see you on time.

It seems like you are doing exactly the right thing right now. You are getting experience and gaining knowledge to make the most informed decision possible. After enough of this experience there will be a point where you just know. I read a post a while ago with an individual in a similar situation. Another's advice really hit me. I think the statement is exaggerated slightly, but it does seem to have some relevance. They stated that this is such a long process, such a commitment, that you have to know you would be satisfied in doing no other profession. This is, in itself, the motivation.

 

[EricH]

You don't have to put your life completely on hold for medicine. Once I knew where I was going, I bought a townhouse and am doing to family thing. It's definitely harder than when I was living in 'Office Space' but like you I could not see myself working in a s#!tty office job for the rest of my life. I might have to rent/sell my place during residency, but there are a ton of programs around me so maybe not. My bottom line is: may things are doable if you think creatively.

I left a "good" career and a nice paycheck to go to med school. Medicine is no shangri-la, but at least you're making a real impact on people's lives and not just shuffling paper all day (in medicine you just shuffle paper most of the day😀).

Good Luck

P.S. FHA first time home buyer loans are very nice with 3.5% down and fixed rates, which are insanely low at the moment. I have a 30 year fixed mortgage @ 4.8%. Just remember that you have to close BEFORE you quit your job.

 

[rddoms]

Don't even think of changing your mind. I had that the same doubts for a bit near the end of college, and am glad I have continued. Your statements show that you want to be a doctor, so just keep it up.

Your C.I.S. degree is basically useless to you because you hate your job, so forget that option. Even if you find another job that you like, you will probably always regret not becoming a doctor.

I don't have a wife, but my married friends say that having a wife definitely helps during basic sciences. If she can deal with the hours you will spend during med school and residency, then that is another reason to keep going.

There are many reasons that one might hate their job as a physician, but that is partially up to you. Spend time doing non-medical stuff during medical school, spend time with your wife, go on a vacation, etc. Don't become a shut-in because it can you people hate medicine.

Keep going, you are almost there. You will look back in a few years and be happy you continued.

 

[tellsarah]

I can say that I know how you feel.

I too am 24 and married. We have no children, pets or mortgage all because both of us know I want to attend medical school and he is AD Army. I am also taking the March MCAT and crossing fingers I do well enough to apply for next year. Recently, I have been doubting my decision to pursue medicine as well. I completed my undergrad degree 2 years ago and now taking Organic. I have other interest and activites that I am very passionate about. Which raises the question, should I pursue these other interest instead of medical school? I also realize those interest will go on the backburner once in school.

I plan on continuing the path of applying and finishing the pre-reqs along side working with a non-profit and writing. I am hopeful the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place and there will be no room for regret in whatever comes to pass.

In ending, I have no words of advice just a tidbit of info to let you know you are not alone. G/L!

 

[vegetara83]

I want to be a doctor. I know that I would make a damn good one as well. I've always wanted to work as a family physician and treat patients for the long term. I want my patients to not fear their doctor. I want to give them insightful information to let them know fully what's going on and not just give them a pill and send them on their way. This is very important to me and I feel it's currently lacking in the medical field.

This is exactly how I feel, but I'm usually told that I'm being too altruistic and that that's not how practicing medicine really is. And because of this, I have been doubting things as well. It doesn't help that I'm older in terms of med school applicants, either (I'm 26, will be at least 28 before I start should I get accepted) so I also get a lot of "you're too old to go back to school/invest that much time" crap. Or since I'm a woman I get the whole "don't you want a family" question. But I digress...

I have a biology degree and a med tech degree and am currently working as a med tech. Even with all my doubts, I know that if I don't at least try that it's something I will regret for the rest of my life. Being a med tech just doesn't cut it for me. Sure, I am making a difference in patient's lives and med techs are extremely important to the medical care team. But I WANT patient contact, in addition to the things that I quoted from you above. And I actually would prefer the DO route since they seem to have much better relationships with their patients. I know that's a generalization, but there's just something about the DO path that appeals to me more.

So like tellsarah before me, no real advice... just wanted to pop in another "you aren't alone" and wish you the best of luck.

 

[genegirl]

This is exactly how I feel, but I'm usually told that I'm being too altruistic and that that's not how practicing medicine really is. And because of this, I have been doubting things as well. It doesn't help that I'm older in terms of med school applicants, either (I'm 26, will be at least 28 before I start should I get accepted) so I also get a lot of "you're too old to go back to school/invest that much time" crap. Or since I'm a woman I get the whole "don't you want a family" question. But I digress...

I have a biology degree and a med tech degree and am currently working as a med tech. Even with all my doubts, I know that if I don't at least try that it's something I will regret for the rest of my life. Being a med tech just doesn't cut it for me. Sure, I am making a difference in patient's lives and med techs are extremely important to the medical care team. But I WANT patient contact, in addition to the things that I quoted from you above. And I actually would prefer the DO route since they seem to have much better relationships with their patients. I know that's a generalization, but there's just something about the DO path that appeals to me more.

So like tellsarah before me, no real advice... just wanted to pop in another "you aren't alone" and wish you the best of luck.

Reading this post was like I had written it myself. I have a biochem degree and am ascp certified as a lab tech in genetics!! (And am bored out of my mind with it)

I think we all have come to this crossroads at some point leading up to applying. I often ask myself if I am doing the right thing, as I am 26, married, and want children someday. However, I have spoken to many in family practice (also what I want to go into) and they tell me it is completely manageable. Also, I have noticed that the DO's practice exactly how you describe you want to treat patients. The allopathic docs are more treat em and street em (though not all). You definately seem to have a passion for medicine. Stick with it, and good luck!🙂

 

[sonofva]

(I'm 26, will be at least 28 before I start should I get accepted).

Keep things in perspective though. Lets say it takes 10 years to get to a point where you can open your own practice. That makes you 38. You can still get at least 20 years of practice time in before you retire.

in 20 years you can see a lot of things, have a fulfilling career, help loads of folks, and make a decent amount of money...dont let age get in the way.

 

[vegetara83]

in 20 years you can see a lot of things, have a fulfilling career, help loads of folks, and make a decent amount of money....

This is exactly what I try to tell people. It's not like I'll be able to retire at 62 anyway. 😛 Besides, I'll be one of those people who work until I am physically unable too 'cause I'd get too bored being retired. I know I shouldn't allow other people to talk me out of something if I am absolutely certain it's what I want to do, but it's hard to not have doubts when everyone you talk to has them. Even when I've read through some threads over on the non-trad forum, the atmosphere seems rather negative towards older people going to med school.