AIBU to consider applying for medicine at 39 after just qualifying as a teacher?
I’m 39 and have just qualified as a secondary science teacher. I have a permanent teaching job and genuinely enjoy it, so this isn’t about wanting to escape teaching.
But medicine was what I originally wanted to do, and lately I’ve found myself seriously considering applying again.
My route into education wasn’t traditional. I missed the usual qualifications when I was younger due to ill health, returned to education as an adult and eventually completed an undergraduate science degree, a Master’s and a PhD. I applied for medicine years ago but didn’t get through the initial screening stage and ended up taking a different path.
Alongside academia and teaching, I’ve worked for the ambulance service for several years taking 999 calls, so I do have experience of healthcare, dealing with people in crisis and communicating calmly when someone is frightened or distressed.
Oddly, qualifying as a teacher has made me think about medicine more, not less. I’ve realised that the part of teaching I love most is working with people — explaining complicated things clearly, building trust, adapting my communication and helping someone who is struggling.
I know medicine would mean starting again at around 40, years of training and a significant financial commitment. But equally, I’m going to be 45 one day regardless, and I don’t want to reach that age wondering whether I should have at least tried.
I wouldn’t give up teaching just to apply. I’d carry on working and apply for medicine alongside it. If I didn’t get in, I already have a career I enjoy.
So, AIBU to seriously consider applying for medicine at this stage of my life, immediately after qualifying for another profession?
And particularly interested in hearing from doctors/medical students, mature students, teachers who’ve changed careers, or anyone who went into medicine later in life. Would you think I’d lost the plot — or would you apply and at least find out