Graduate medicine in my 30s- complete change of tack.

[Thinkingwhattodonext]

Morning everyone,

I'm 31 and at a point in my career (civil service) where I'm happy with what I've achieved (management grade in an interesting international role) but feel I want to do something different and am becoming increasingly interested in medicine for a number of reasons, as i have been for a good while now.

I've been looking into graduate entry courses and wondered if any of you had any advice on entering medicine at this stage in life.

I'm researching and picking a lot of brains in real life but am aware there's a lot of experience on here.

I have non- science A levels and a 2:2 in a languages based subject (an ongoing health problem means I was unable to attend some of my finals but is better managed now). I see that Notts for one accepts 2:2 non science degrees but are other places likely to with mitigating circs? Or is the competition too high?

I really enjoyed science at school and got A* or As at GCSE (I'd have to check), i just had no idea what i wanted to do at that point and went with languages/ creative subjects for A-level.

I am fascinated by medical microbiology and tropical medicine in particular although I would imagine this is not a particularly in-demand field so is not a set plan but I'd maybe be interested in working overseas with an NGO eventually.

Would I be too old? I would like a family but am single at the moment.

My academic achievements aren't great (post GCSE) as without boring you all with details, I went through something quite traumatic in my A-level year and then had the health issues during my degree but I would say I have academic aptitude and a good work ethic.

I'd be extremely grateful for any insight on whether I'd stand a chance at getting in via the graduate route/ another way and whether this would be a good idea at my stage!

Thanks in advance!

Are you willing to take on a shedload of student loans?

Just to add that my relative who is doing medicine as a graduate wasn’t eligible for a second student loan, so had to find private funding. It’s been very expensive indeed! They get a bursary in final year and she also got some grants, but no loan. None of her fellow mature medical students doing it as graduates did either.

Although, she says she reckons she’ll be earning circa £60k pa within ten years of graduating, so it would be worth it, even if you look purely at the financial side.

Personally, I’d love to study radiography, but can’t really afford it. If I had the money, I’d probably do that over medicine.

^Would admissions panels expect candidates to have an idea of their eventual path mapped.out?^

no. if you have an idea they'll be interested to hear why, but knowing that your mind might change is more realistic as most do.

Honestly? Don’t do it
I did graduate entry medicine- I swear the stress triggered my bipolar disorder. They ate me alive and spat me out as there is no room for disabled students.
Anyway I realise I had the most fortunate escape of my life particularly as I retrained as an rmn and see how demoralised the doctors are. The strike action for many was the final straw and they were played expertly by government media advisors

That’s not to say nursing is much better

The subject material is not hard but it is VAST - every 8 weeks a different body system studied alongside lots of sociology etc and clinical practice

You move from hospital to hospital every 8 weeks or so as a student and tbh the experience can be testing particularly if your face doesn’t fit

I had 80 exams in my 4yrs yet felt very unprepared for my first job. Not to worry though they kicked me out after my finals

It’s survival of the fittest. You need a core of steel and a certain confidence that will get people to help you when qualified but not so confident as to be cocky. Nurses can break you!

On qualification you hear horror stories of first jobs- being left in charge of a whole hospital at night on your first week or even first day. Hours are relentless, work life balance can be poor, more exams, moving frequently, an nhs in decline and a lack of time to do the job safely to a good clinical standard, then there’s the paperwork. Bullying can be problematic. You would need a very supportive partner if you wanted a family

I honestly don’t know why people do it anymore- denial that it really is that bad?

I’ve seen so many broken practitioners, burn out is real. I’ve encountered them in my private and personal life

I think the Bawa Garba case explains it all nicely

Sorry I can’t be more positive. On writing this I realise just how badly treated I was

Btw a 2.2 in non science is probably going to make entry difficult

WheretheresAwill this is a question I want to ask but wasn't sure where to ask it. I have an ongoing condition/ disability (epilepsy) that is quite well controlled but triggered by stress. It has affected my life, studies and work so far and I would like to know whether medicine is in any way accommodating towards disabled students.

Sorry for the drip feed here but I just didn't want to hear 'no' because of this without taking into account my full circumstances.

I know a doctor who initially had done a humanties degree after humanties A-levels. They did a year-long Access to Medicine course - I think it was called when they were in their late 20s. They did not need to take any further A-levels. They went on to study medicine off the back of that.

You get decent paid sick leave after a few years service but other than that the NHS is a very poor employer with a definite culture of 'don't call in sick' for Drs.