MD or PharmD? from a 29 y/o mom

[southernsadie]

Hi everyone! I have spent hours and hours in this forum today! So much useful information here.

I'm 29, a mother of three boys (ages 2, 4, and 6), and happily married. I think our family is complete at this point and I am ready to go back to school. I have a BS in Biology/Health Sciences (minor in Chemistry) as I was pre-med. I have a 4.0 GPA, but haven't taken the MCAT or PCAT yet because I decided to delay professional school to get married and start a family and didn't want my scores to become invalid.

Anyhow... I am so, so excited (like can't sleep excited) about the possibility of starting up my career again... medicine was always a dream of mine.

I'm trying to decide which path to go at this point (I need to begin to review for MCAT or PCAT)... I always saw myself as an MD, but I am not against PharmD if it means I have more time for family when I'm in school and in work.

I'm also a little intimidated about jumping back in, and a little wistful about not being a full-time mom anymore... but ready to face the challenges.

If you were in my shoes, which path would you be inclined to choose?

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[Got Em]

It is a much, much tougher road doing MD/DO, the doing a PharmD. Also, if you want MD over DO, you'll be needing even better scores. Although it is true that physicians that alter their schedule and pick work places and specialties that suit their needs, it is generally a fact that physicians will be "busier", unless you want to work part time. In your situation, you may want to either get a PharmD or maybe do EM or hospitalist where you can have shifts.

 

[PostHaste]

I always saw myself as an MD, but I am not against PharmD if it means I have more time for family when I'm in school and in work.

Would being a pharmacist really fulfil you? Would it be worth it? Yes, MD/DO is a lot more work, both in school and beyond, but if you're going back you might as well do what your passion is for, otherwise you'll be miserable. .

As far as what I would do... I would go to med school and do everything necessary to put myself in a position to be a fantastic physician and mother. I know big chunks of it are luck (where you get an interview, where/if you match, whether the attending likes you during clinicals...), but there is the chance to decide some of your fate. Especially if you managed a 4.0 through your entire undergrad; that's a pretty impressive feat, and shows you've likely got the smarts to make it through.

Also, I will admit that I am not stay-at-home mom material, so that probably influences my choice. My husband is totally on board (if a little nervous ), which is also a major consideration.

 

[startoverat40]

medicine and pharmacy are very different from each other, and you shouldn't be on the fense about your choice. if you want to go to medicine, you should know it in your gut that it is what you want to do. it's not a coin toss between medicine and something else. the road will be very tough, and you don't want to ever regret getting into it and say "i should've gone into pharm instead". because there will be times that you will be feeling down and start doing negative talk with yourself. you want to be sure to not give yourself any chances for doing such negative talk with yourself. remove any such doubts and alternatives from your mind, or else they will come back to haunt you.

as part of your med school application, you have to have done some clinical volunteering and physician shadowing anyway. so why don't you do that to get a feel for what medicine is like, and if you have the passion for it. then you can make up your mind on which path to take, and you will have done the required activity as well. once you commit to the medicine path, go for it full force, and don't look back.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Anyhow... I am so, so excited (like can't sleep excited) about the possibility of starting up my career again... medicine was always a dream of mine.

As a pharmacist, will you lie awake at night and wonder "What if I had followed my dream and gone into medicine instead?"

 

[MedPR]

Would being a pharmacist really fulfil you? Would it be worth it? Yes, MD/DO is a lot more work, both in school and beyond, but if you're going back you might as well do what your passion is for, otherwise you'll be miserable. .

As far as what I would do... I would go to med school and do everything necessary to put myself in a position to be a fantastic physician and mother. I know big chunks of it are luck (where you get an interview, where/if you match, whether the attending likes you during clinicals...), but there is the chance to decide some of your fate. Especially if you managed a 4.0 through your entire undergrad; that's a pretty impressive feat, and shows you've likely got the smarts to make it through.

Also, I will admit that I am not stay-at-home mom material, so that probably influences my choice. My husband is totally on board (if a little nervous ), which is also a major consideration.

I think you mean work ethic. Not to take away from getting a 4.0 in undergrad, but it's much more about putting in the work than being smart.

As the others have said, if you are looking for a gauranteed working lifestyle suitable for a family, pharmD is your choice.

 

[thepoopologist]

I think you mean work ethic. Not to take away from getting a 4.0 in undergrad, but it's much more about putting in the work than being smart.

As the others have said, if you are looking for a gauranteed working lifestyle suitable for a family, pharmD is your choice.

I agree. If you want something interesting as a pharmD do a residency and become a clinical pharmacist.

 

[Hello2011]

As a pharmacist, will you lie awake at night and wonder "What if I had followed my dream and gone into medicine instead?"

I do this as a first year pharmacy student. Everyone knows medical students are gods in training.

 

[startoverat40]

I do this as a first year pharmacy student. Everyone knows medical students are gods in training.

???? 👎

I don't think anybody should be going to med school thinking they will be a god, and i sure would hate to have a doctor who has a god-complex.

being in pharmacy or pharmacology can be fascinating itself, and if that's what one is passionate about, then there would be no reason to loose sleep over not doing something else. when i went to mobile medical missions in Asia, the pharmacists played a critical role in the success of the missions. they had 3 doctors and 1 pharmacist with 3 assistants. They saw 470 patients in one day. the doctors wouldn't be able to do it all by themselves. a doctor's prescription is just a piece of paper and doesn't cure anything if the pharmacist isn't there to dispense the meds.

 

[MedPR]

???? 👎

I don't think anybody should be going to med school thinking they will be a god, and i sure would hate to have a doctor who has a god-complex.

being in pharmacy or pharmacology can be fascinating itself, and if that's what one is passionate about, then there would be no reason to loose sleep over not doing something else. when i went to mobile medical missions in Asia, the pharmacists played a critical role in the success of the missions. they had 3 doctors and 1 pharmacist with 3 assistants. They saw 470 patients in one day. the doctors wouldn't be able to do it all by themselves. a doctor's prescription is just a piece of paper and doesn't cure anything if the pharmacist isn't there to dispense the meds.

He didn't say med students think of themselves as gods. Way to put words in his mouth. House has a god complex. You wouldn't want him to be your doctor? I would.

I like how you go in trying to make pharmacists seem awesome, and then you inadvertently demean them by saying their role is to hand out the meds.

You're also talking about Asia. Pharmacists have 0 role in pt diagnosis in the United States.

 

[startoverat40]

He didn't say med students think of themselves as gods. Way to put words in his mouth. House has a god complex. You wouldn't want him to be your doctor? I would.

I like how you go in trying to make pharmacists seem awesome, and then you inadvertently demean them by saying their role is to hand out the meds.

You're also talking about Asia. Pharmacists have 0 role in pt diagnosis in the United States.

it's a poor statement, however you parse it.

"I do this as a first year pharmacy student."

Well you're just one person. maybe you made the wrong choice for yourself. consider changing course. don't go through rest of your life regretting what you did. follow your passion.

"Everyone knows ..."

who is everyone? how do you know they know this, and how do you know they are right?

"medical students are gods in training."

👎


Who's House? Some TV character? then there you have it.

I didn't say pharmacists "just hand out meds". obviously dispensing meds requries skills, or else they'd have high school students doing it. and I didn't suggest they can diagnose, in Asia or in US. I said you can play a critical role in delivery of medical care as a pharmacist, and if you are passionate about it, you can have a satisfying career. conversely, if your passion is to be a physician, then that's what you should do.


that's the 2nd time you jump on my post and nit-pick it. next time i will ignore.

 

[finalsay]

I am facing the same question...only I am already in Pharmacy school and making that choice is thus, a lot more difficult. You are in a better situation than most as your ugrad grades are excellent and you havent tied yourself up to a professional program yet. I think Pharmacy is a good field for those who want to practice it. You learn a lot of interesting things about selection of drug therapy (even though you can recommend, but cant select it), pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, etc.

However, I feel that pharmacists are greatly limited in the applicability of this knowledge. At the end of the day, we do not make the therapy decisions for the patients. If you are someone who loves learning about the theory of drugs, but are ok with havin no control over a patient's treatment then go with pharmacy.

I think that if you are interested in medicine, tho, you should as others have suggested, shadow physicians and volunteer in free clinics. Undoubtedly, pharmacy school would require less sacrifice, and you could spend more times with your kids during school, but its important to look long term.

Maybe visiting mommd would help. Good luck with your decision!

 

[ChemMed]

Hi everyone! I have spent hours and hours in this forum today! So much useful information here.

I'm 29, a mother of three boys (ages 2, 4, and 6), and happily married. I think our family is complete at this point and I am ready to go back to school. I have a BS in Biology/Health Sciences (minor in Chemistry) as I was pre-med. I have a 4.0 GPA, but haven't taken the MCAT or PCAT yet because I decided to delay professional school to get married and start a family and didn't want my scores to become invalid.

Anyhow... I am so, so excited (like can't sleep excited) about the possibility of starting up my career again... medicine was always a dream of mine.

I'm trying to decide which path to go at this point (I need to begin to review for MCAT or PCAT)... I always saw myself as an MD, but I am not against PharmD if it means I have more time for family when I'm in school and in work.

I'm also a little intimidated about jumping back in, and a little wistful about not being a full-time mom anymore... but ready to face the challenges.

If you were in my shoes, which path would you be inclined to choose?

Ask yourself these questions:

Where is your heart? MD/DO or PharmD
What are your personal fundamental reasons to do any of these?
What are you willing to give up in cost of time to family and friends to do the training for your career path?

From what I know physician training is harder, longer and eats more at family time. Pharmacy training from what I know is no cake walk, but your done faster. I am not sure what I could suggest to you unless I had more info on why you would choose one of the paths above and what you ultimately want out of your future in regards to career and family.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Definitely shadow physicians and pharmacists.

Take a look at this also: http://www.theangrypharmacist.com/archives/2006/10/for_all_those_p.html

 

[southernsadie]

Thanks for all the responses!

I've worked in various medical settings, as a chart copier/filer/faxer to a lab tech in a pediatric office to a scribe in an urgent care setting. I know I could do it, but honestly, I've always enjoyed the more science-y aspects of medicine better. I LOVED my endocrinology course, doing ELISAs and doing PCR in my genetic engineering labs.

I need to shadow a clinical pharmacist... I'm arranging with my husband (he is an informatics nurse at our hospital and has several pharm buddies up on the floor) to set me up. 🙂

The thought of working behind-the-scenes interests me more than patient care, but I know that there also several MD routes that have less patient interaction than others. What do you guys on the MD route think? Better steer clear?

I guess I've just been kind of down on the PharmD thing after reading about how terrible retail is, and the job shortage and such.

But to answer some of your questions, my dream was MD. Definitely. But I've also realized a bit about myself since undergrad and restructured my priorities, and now that I have a family, I don't know if I could hack it as a med student/doctor because of the time commitment.

You all have brought up some very good points and very good questions for me to consider, and I appreciate it!

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Pharm is lacking jobs... Go MD/DO

 

[Doc2doc2]

Thanks for all the responses!

I've worked in various medical settings, as a chart copier/filer/faxer to a lab tech in a pediatric office to a scribe in an urgent care setting. I know I could do it, but honestly, I've always enjoyed the more science-y aspects of medicine better. I LOVED my endocrinology course, doing ELISAs and doing PCR in my genetic engineering labs.

How about a masters in science or clinical science? Shorter if you really like doing techniques.

 

[Got Em]

Pharm is lacking jobs... Go MD/DO

Not really. It is lacking jobs in the same way that some physicians and nurses are having a difficult time finding work in metro areas. The "cush" or metro jobs will always be in high demand, but there are plenty of jobs available right now. It's just this doom and gloom theory that fails to die out. Do you personally know any class of 2011's without a job right now? I'm not in this class, but I haven't heard of any from my surrounding schools.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

The people I know are current pharmacists, and they say not to go into the field. The clinic I worked for had several pharmacists that said they couldn't find fulltime work unless they moved to very remote areas and/or took drastic pay cuts

 

[finalsay]

I agree; Ive heard that jobs are lacking in retail and hospital. But, if you have an interest in pharmacy and other obligations (i.e. kids), I think it is hard to pursue something else due to the vast knowledge you will gain and the relatively short time to start working. I know because I chose to enter pharmacy school because I liked learning about different treatments, working with the public, etc. However, it is important to look at how you would like to progress in the field long term.
It is equally important to consider whether that job will be available to you in the future. I havent heard much about drastic pay cuts, but if that happens in the future, you have to ask yourself whats the minimum that you would be ok with making in this field.


Its difficult with pharmacy to establish any specific treatment with patients. You mentioned that you may like the behind the scenes aspect more, so maybe this is not a problem for you. There is always PBM and research that you could do as a pharmacist.

I dont know of many specialities which would afford little patient contact in medicine. I mean there is pathology (and radiology?), but with pathology, I hear that it is difficult to come by that job these days...

 

[montessori2md]

If you are interested in the behind the scenes work, you should spend more time exploring your options. I would consider going in a more science/tech direction. Where are you going to live, geographically? Figure out what kind of biotech/research/support staff with high level Ed are needed in that area. Then figure out what education you need.

 

[Dr or Bust dr]

Definitely shadow, shadow, shadow... and coming from a pharmacist who foolishly stayed in retail, if I could throw my worst enemy into hell or be forced to work retail pharmacy, I would send them to retail pharmacy.

To me, pharmacy in any setting is too narrow in focus, and you will always be doing someone else's bidding. If your IQ is above the average for pharmacists (which is already high), you may feel limited.

Going to a med school somewhere next year!

 

[Rouelle]

OP, I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I'm in my early 30s, married, no kids but plan to start trying within a year or so. I considered both the pharmacy and the physician route. I ultimately chose pharmacy for a couple of reasons. 1) Pharmacy, in general, is a more family friendly profession, at least at this stage in my life. The school is 4 years, and then you are completely done and ready for employment. At times it is tough (finals week was a bear last fall), but in most weeks you can take a couple hours away from studying every day to spend with the family and still make good grades. I suspect that med school requires more study time. Once you are practicing, pharmacy can be pretty much a "normal" (schedule, work hours, etc) job if you want it to be. Part-time is very doable if you want to spend more time with the kids. 2) Pharmacy is where my heart is. Drugs and their therapeutic effects really interest me; diagnosing and treating sick people doesn't. As above posters have said...SHADOW! I had no idea how much I liked pharmacy until I started working at one.

I'm not at all trying to push you into pharmacy...just sharing my reasons. Only you can decide what's best for you. Good luck!

 

[southernsadie]

You guys have been unbelievably helpful, thank you!

I'm set to shadow a clinical pharmacist next week and am meeting with my friend who is a clinical pharmacist at a major metro hospital this evening.

Am going to do a bit more research! It's thrilling thinking about all the options out there.

 

[ChemMed]

You guys have been unbelievably helpful, thank you!

I'm set to shadow a clinical pharmacist next week and am meeting with my friend who is a clinical pharmacist at a major metro hospital this evening.

Am going to do a bit more research! It's thrilling thinking about all the options out there.

If you are interested in the background science of laboratory medicine you can check out this website:

http://www.aacc.org/Pages/default.aspx

The American Association of Clinical Chemistry is an interesting alternative to those who enjoy the laboratory science side of things.

 

[pfaction]

I'm a pharmacy student that's going (hopefully) to med school. I won't wonder anymore. I suggest you do the same.