Way into the future but question

[Mchb]

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I'm not even in medical school yet but I will have a 7 year old when I start residency and I wanted to know if it's possible. I'll most likely be a single mom and I'm worried about spending time with my child.

 

[michigangirl]

Hi Mchb,

This is a complicated question-- anything is possible, but much of how doable it will be is dependent on your support system, i.e. will you have family closeby, etc. This will be important for medical school as well. If you provide further details/context we may be able to better address your concerns.

Good luck.

 

[michigangirl]

A timely article on this very site-- I know you already have a child but much of it applies...

http://studentdoctor.net/2013/01/starting-a-family-in-medical-school/

 

[TheDocIsIn83]

Hey you can do it for sure. Good luck!

 

[phrygian]

Medical school is not that bad when you have children as long as your school doesn't have mandatory attendance. Some rotations may be tough but that too depends on how your medical school schedules rotations. I was able to not have any away rotations so I could still see my kids pretty regularly. Residency has been much harder when it comes to seeing the children. I dont see my kids awake for almost a week when i'm in the PICU. Electives are pretty normal though and I see them almost as much as any person who works.

It all comes down to having a good support system and making the most of your free time. Good luck!

 

[TheDocIsIn83]

Medical school is not that bad when you have children as long as your school doesn't have mandatory attendance. Some rotations may be tough but that too depends on how your medical school schedules rotations. I was able to not have any away rotations so I could still see my kids pretty regularly. Residency has been much harder when it comes to seeing the children. I dont see my kids awake for almost a week when i'm in the PICU. Electives are pretty normal though and I see them almost as much as any person who works.

It all comes down to having a good support system and making the most of your free time. Good luck!

Yes this is true. So when your looking at a school make sure you know how each year is structured such as looking for a school where attendance isn't mandatory and asking if you can do all your rotations at a hospital close by to where you plan on living. It's also important to realize that medical school is only 4 years but being a physician is a life long commitment.

 

[kristing]

My son was 7 when I started residency and my daughter was 3 months. NOW, I have a spouse who stayed home (he's the dad). BUT. I did a residency where I lived really close by, and was very family friendly. I can honestly say, that except for my wards months and call nights, I actually came home and cooked dinner most of the time. (I love to cook.) I was able to spend a fair amount of time with my kids. I spent more time with my kids in residency than I do now as an outpatient pediatrician. You can do it in residency. I promise.