To consider studying medicine as a mature student

[KatePantalon]

I am 38 and have previously worked as an OT. I have been a SAHM for 4 years. I also have a masters degree in Health Psychology. It has always been my dream to be a doctor but had little confidence when I was younger.

1. Is there any way I can get into medicine?
2. Would this be mad? most probably
3. What could be a route in?
4. I have dc 8&11. How would this work without family support?

Shoot me down! I know IABU. Just needed to get this post out of my system. and bury the dream

Haven't read the full thread, but I'm a 44 year old single parent of a 14 and 11 year old, and I have a place on MBBS Medicine in September. I've danced around the periphery in nursing and on the andmbulance service but decided its time. Its very hard to get a place but not impossible!

@joell75
How did you get in. What qualifications

@Hadassah1216

I did a foundation year. Some unis have them. I'm at University of Central Lancashire but my friend is doing the foundation year at Liverpool and I know that Leeds run one too. If they do, I'm sure many others do.

Physicians assistant route definitely. I would not start this all shit over again.

DOI: 38yr old consultant anaesthetist mum of 2

I speak to a lot of practising clinicians who recommend physician's assistant. The best bits without the worst bits (they say).

I’m a medical registrar, 1 year away from consultancy. I love my job! Yes it’s hard, yes it’s knackering, but it’s so rewarding. As an OT, you’re already well aware of the working conditions in the NHS.

38 is not too old - the rotas will be more tiring than when you’re in your 20s, but the emotional toll will be easier as you’re more mature, with more life experience, better coping strategies and already have vast experience working in the NHS.

I would recommend a graduate entry course - Warwick University takes graduates only, so no one younger than 21. Most were in mid - late 20s upon starting, but lots in mid-late 30s. Oldest was 48. Swansea, cardiff, Manchester and peninsula also have graduate entry programmes.

If you’re passionate about it, go for it. Even if you get to the end of medical training and start working as a foundation doctor and HATE it, there are LOADS of careers open to you with a medical degree.

Where abouts are you based? Find a friendly junior doctor to shadow on call, see if it’s what you’re expecting and if you’d be happy to do that for 10 years!

I’m just going to be blunt and say, don’t do it.

Back when you were 18, would you have met the entry requirements to be accepted on the course? Medicine is a very intense academic course, much more so than Psychology. I am in my early 20s and I know my friends who recently graduated medicine struggled, many people on their course dropped out or switched to another course etc. Your life balance once you start UNPAID placements will be intense too. You’ll have to still make ends meet financially and that may include childcare costs depending on how old your children are.

Oh this thread is from July...

@KatePantalon what did you decide in the end?