is it that bad?

[wheatie]

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I know this may be a fantasy, but are there any paths some can recommend that are a little less Navy Seals than I hear most medical schools are? I know that there are new laws limiting the amount of time interns and residents are allowed to work per shift, but the thought of tending to sick people in a cranky and fuzzy state of sleep deprivation really makes me balk. When I think about that part I wonder if it would be easier to try to be a PA or a NP and just take it easy.

This is sort of embarassing, also, but are there any schools that offer like more vacation time or a slower paced curriculum? I know, I know, I know that medical school is very intense and takes up your whole life, and it totally scares me. The thought of being a doctor doesn't scare me, and the thought of going through more school than you do as a PA or an NP is what makes me want to pursue the medical degree (if I will be prescribing drugs and dealing with other people's health, I want make the best-informed decisions possible), but the thought of subsuming my identity in this sort of boot camp environment where you barely catch your breath between studying and coffee, that to me sounds totally and ironically unhealthy. I really like my pre-med classes and I'm doing well so far, and I would love to be able to help sick people. But I also like to listen to new records, have dinner with friends from time to time, and not be a total stresscase.

Please if anyone can point me in the direction of this kind of program, I would really appreciate it. Maybe I am lazy, but I would prefer a more relaxed environment. Maybe I will be able to relax once I am there. But if it is going to be a non-stop stress world I feel like i should start looking for new paths.

 

[mj1878]

I think it is contradictory to say that you're not afraid of being a physician and then in the same sentence say that you're afraid to do what it takes to BE one. If you want banker's hours and shorter training, go PA or NP. Good luck.

 

[(nicedream)]

I know this may be a fantasy, but are there any paths some can recommend that are a little less Navy Seals than I hear most medical schools are? I know that there are new laws limiting the amount of time interns and residents are allowed to work per shift, but the thought of tending to sick people in a cranky and fuzzy state of sleep deprivation really makes me balk. When I think about that part I wonder if it would be easier to try to be a PA or a NP and just take it easy.

This is sort of embarassing, also, but are there any schools that offer like more vacation time or a slower paced curriculum? I know, I know, I know that medical school is very intense and takes up your whole life, and it totally scares me. The thought of being a doctor doesn't scare me, and the thought of going through more school than you do as a PA or an NP is what makes me want to pursue the medical degree (if I will be prescribing drugs and dealing with other people's health, I want make the best-informed decisions possible), but the thought of subsuming my identity in this sort of boot camp environment where you barely catch your breath between studying and coffee, that to me sounds totally and ironically unhealthy. I really like my pre-med classes and I'm doing well so far, and I would love to be able to help sick people. But I also like to listen to new records, have dinner with friends from time to time, and not be a total stresscase.

Please if anyone can point me in the direction of this kind of program, I would really appreciate it. Maybe I am lazy, but I would prefer a more relaxed environment. Maybe I will be able to relax once I am there. But if it is going to be a non-stop stress world I feel like i should start looking for new paths.

A PBL program - basically make your own hours. Then go into Psych.

 

[Nate]

or family medicine. I think the more militaristic specialties portrayed on TV and such are surgical for the most part and some hospital based stuff but if you go to family medicine or psychiatry or things like that you will probably enjoy residency a lot more. Albeit, you will still have to do surgical rotations and such during med school and intern year but you can make it. That’s what is so great about it, there is something for everyone!

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

If you can't handle a rigorous exam schedule don't come to CCOM.

We get ragged on pretty damn hard, but we also get close to 4 months of summer break.

Worth it? uhh, not really, but I'm here now.

 

[BradenDO]

I'm not in med school yet but my brother is in his first year of clinicals, and yes he is very busy. Sometimes he's at the hospital from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. He does have time to go out to dinner--most nights he's taking full advantage of drug rep dinners--but most of the time he's studying or at the hospital. If you aren't ready to dedicate A LOT of your time to medicine--which is what you have to do to be a good doctor--then I agree with the other poster and saying maybe PA or NP would be more suitable. The main thing, though, is to do what makes you happy. If you're going to be miserable for 8 years, it's probably best to avoid that! 🙂 Just my 2cents!

 

[wheatie]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I was already thinking that I would specialize in family medicine, so that's a bit of a relief.

 

[2112_rush]

I don't think its accurate to say family medicine is "easy" or requires less time. Med school is hard...residency is hard no matter what field you pursue...and being in practice is time consuming, even for a family physician. It would also depend on where you practice...being a family doc in a small town can be a 24hr job.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I don't think its accurate to say family medicine is "easy" or requires less time. Med school is hard...residency is hard no matter what field you pursue...and being in practice is time consuming, even for a family physician. It would also depend on where you practice...being a family doc in a small town can be a 24hr job.

I find it easier than undergrad---but now I'm studying what I enjoy.....

 

[crys20]

Some med schools have decelerated 5 year programs you might look into; then you could try to get as cushy and least demanding a residency as possible.

 

[ezmoney1]

I did see one school where you could do a five-year option, spreading years 1and 2 out over three years. I want to say it was Meharry, but I'm not sure.

 

[ambernikel]

I am sure that if you look hard enough you will find a program more suited to you. I'm a huge proponent of if you work hard enough you can do anything. However, if you already have anxiety about making decisions (just picked it up from your post) and you're worried about being overloaded. Then maybe PA or NP is more for you.

Not because you can't become a doctor but because you wouldn't be as happy becoming and being a doctor. NP & PA's still get to help people and they have very competitive pay without the med school loans. They don't have to go through the same rigors as med school and most importantly for you, they aren't as responsible for decision making.

So yeah, you aren't trained as much but you still get trained well and then you have a doctor you go to when you aren't sure. From the sounds of it, if I were your advisor I'd say go PA or NP. I don't think there is any shame in it either, I'm sure you could be a great doctor. It's just that people are made differently and function better under different situations. I go to my NP as often as my DO and she is awesome; better than some docs I'd bet! But I doubt she would enjoy her job as much and therefore be as great if she were under the pressures of being a physician. She could def do it, but why if she's so much happier where she's at. You still make good money and have autonomy.

Just my two cents, hopefully didn't offend. Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Some med schools have decelerated 5 year programs you might look into; then you could try to get as cushy and least demanding a residency as possible.

At CCOM if you fail two classes in one quarter ( <70) or any three in one year you are automatically decelerated. We have a number of people in our class that should have been in the 2008 class.