What to specialize in?

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CCEMTP2DOC

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Hi all,

As many of you may know, I am a non trad. I will be 42-43 upon matriculation. I will be 46-47 upon graduation. My question is...should my age even be a consideration? Should I go into EM, with the possibility of working in an UC as I got older. I have been a paramedic 13+ years and My top choices are EM, ORTHO,ANEST, and GEN Surg. I know things may change as I go through med school. I just would like any and all input please. Thanks.

Rob
 
FUTR_DR said:
Hi all,

As many of you may know, I am a non trad. I will be 42-43 upon matriculation. I will be 46-47 upon graduation. My question is...should my age even be a consideration? Should I go into EM, with the possibility of working in an UC as I got older. I have been a paramedic 13+ years and My top choices are EM, ORTHO,ANEST, and GEN Surg. I know things may change as I go through med school. I just would like any and all input please. Thanks.

Rob
You're gonna work so hard to get to the end - I don't think you should let your age determine what specialty you get into - I mean the difference in the end is only 2 years with the specialties you mentioned. Another 2 years won't hurt - so do what your heart desires once you get there!
 
FUTR_DR said:
Hi all,

As many of you may know, I am a non trad. I will be 42-43 upon matriculation. I will be 46-47 upon graduation. My question is...should my age even be a consideration? Should I go into EM, with the possibility of working in an UC as I got older. I have been a paramedic 13+ years and My top choices are EM, ORTHO,ANEST, and GEN Surg. I know things may change as I go through med school. I just would like any and all input please. Thanks.

Rob

You have 3 years before you even have to start thinking about this.
 
hey Future DR, what's up pal? i commend you for the balls it takes to do what you're doing.

anyway, as you may recall, i'm also a non-trad, but will matriculate just prior to turning 32. nevertheless, i've given this some thought as well, and more recently have been leaning towards NOT limiting myself based upone a few more years of residency, dependingn on the specialty.

sure, lifestyle IS important, and to choose a specialty based upon being able to practice happlily, and perhaps more flexibly, as an older aged doc (through our 60's) is a consideration for those of us that actually want to be practicing during those years. but, i think many specialties can offer that kind of flexibiligy/options down the road.
 
I know with surgery you are standing all day and are helping to lift patients that can be quite obese. Try seeking out older docs in those fields your interested in and see if age is even anything to consider in the first place, if its possible. That would be the best way to get some good insight IMO. Good luck.
 
cfdavid said:
hey Future DR, what's up pal? i commend you for the balls it takes to do what you're doing.

anyway, as you may recall, i'm also a non-trad, but will matriculate just prior to turning 32. nevertheless, i've given this some thought as well, and more recently have been leaning towards NOT limiting myself based upone a few more years of residency, dependingn on the specialty.

sure, lifestyle IS important, and to choose a specialty based upon being able to practice happlily, and perhaps more flexibly, as an older aged doc (through our 60's) is a consideration for those of us that actually want to be practicing during those years. but, i think many specialties can offer that kind of flexibiligy/options down the road.

While many specialties can practice into their 70's, it seems like surgery is more of a young person's game.
 
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