To change careers and become a doctor at 39?

[ValleyOfTheTramadols]

Just that really. I have a degree and a masters in humanities and history respectively but have always been interested in science and medicine as well. My masters specialised in medical history. I’ve spent a lot of time in hospital with my son recently and I have developed a strong urge/feeling/calling to retrain in medicine. I would have to sit A levels in two science subjects before applying to a medical course but I could do that in a year. Then with the six year medical degree and first foundation year I could be a ‘full’ doctor by the age of 47. Nearly 20 years or more left of a career by then. I only recently completed my masters so I’m used to intense study as an adult and I can afford it financially. But am I just deluded?

GP here. You don't say how old your son is but you'll be committing to years of study and then the junior Dr years which are very family unfriendly. I'm not sure you'll even get in over 40. I wouldn't do it at that age. Have you thought about nursing with a view to becoming an advanced nurse practitioner? It's a quicker route to a role that has some things in common with a doctor.

Have you got a family and are you aware of what an F1/2 year would entail?

How long would it take to become a nurse practioner? Might be more achievable?

No real practical advice, but I think you are brave for wanting to try.

When I was 17 and applying for Medical School we were often reminded that there were a lot more capable students than there were spaces, and not getting into medical school was not a sign of failure.

My friend's daughter trained as a pharmacist - much shorter training - and at just 29 is a band 8, earning I think about £45,000. She had thought of medicine but says this really suits her. Regular hours, able to specialise in areas she's interested in and good money. Might that interest you?

You can do a four year fast track course for medicine as you already have a degree - at least, that was the case a decade or so when I looked into it. There aren't a lot of places, but a few are given to those with degrees in the arts.

Check with uni's, where I work we have an age limit of 40 (set by NGS) to ensure you work for long enough post qualification for then to recoup their costs. Graduate Route would definitely be a better option.

Go for it. Wish I'd done it!

I’m the same age and hopefully starting my PhD in January with a view to then doing a postdoc and moving into academia. Youngest child is 3. You can only throw your hat in the ring… speak with admissions and check the likelihood of getting in etc.

After you graduate, you have to do foundation years with shift work (can be 12 hours on your feet, minimal time for breaks, high stress). At the same time you have to study for post grad exams. ‘Minimum’ time to independent practice (consultant or gp) would be 5 years after finishing med school if you choose GP track. Some specialities it is 8 years or more post graduation. I personally would not do that. Have you thought about allied health professions?

www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/graduate-entry-medicine/

Best to apply for graduate entry if possible - see above link

There absolutely are people doing this at your age. However do you think medicine is actually that great a career?

I don't know anyone who is planning to still be doctoring at retirement age as we are all exhausted.

Med school would be the least of it - you would be junior doctoring with all the night shifts, uncertainty about training jobs, post grad exams in your late 40s early 50s. To me it doesn't bear thinking about.

I considered swapping specialties in my early 40s and the thought of going back to nights while I retrained was so unbearable I couldn't face it.

My husband began retraining (grad medicine) when he was 31. Took 9 years from undergrad to qualified GP. Would have been longer if he went down the hospital specialty route.
The five junior doctor/specialist training years were very tough with kids. He’s now f/time, but there are plenty of part time roles available in GP that work well for those with a family.
Hope this is useful - there were a real mix of ages and backgrounds on his course.

You need rock solid childcare and be prepared for not seeing kids much. Friend did it as a single parent and paid a local girl from daycare to be a night minder for her dd.

I think with no qualifications in science it would be near impossible.

Honestly I wouldn’t. Read “this is going to hurt” by Adam Kay because it really shows what it’s like with the long shifts.

Graduate entry may be your best option and would significantly reduce the time. From memory Swansea, Nottingham and St George’s take graduates in any discipline, there are probably others.

Do bear in mind though that the junior doctor years are exhausting, there is often very little flexibility in location and shifts (some jobs even give you fixed annual leave rather than letting you choose) and you are expected to do a lot of tedious “grunt” work. I love my job now but being a junior doctor in my 40s is not something I’d want to do.

Do it.

I changed career late and it was hard work. But absolutely worth it, never regretted it. My only regret is that it took me so long to do/start.

Just make sure you have enough money to cover the 5 years of study and living expenses. After that, you will be financially fine and surprised how quickly the salary increases as you train.

8-9 years post completion of MBBS, you should be on £100k annual earnings/salary (inc all benefits).

@LefttoherownDevizes

Check with uni's, where I work we have an age limit of 40 (set by NGS) to ensure you work for long enough post qualification for then to recoup their costs. Graduate Route would definitely be a better option.

Go for it. Wish I'd done it!

What uni is that? Wouldn't that be classed as age discrimination?

My friend studied medicine at the age of 42, she was already a nurse. When she voiced her worries re age, she was advised by the uni that her age and current career would be positives. Go for it OP!

Have you considered other careers in healthcare? Paramedic/nurse/pharmacist? These still require a lot of commitment but you would be qualified in less time.

You don’t need to do A levels. You can do an access course. I know someone who did it this way - they already had a degree in politics. They then did an access course, and went to do medicine at university. Is now a doctor. But they were in their early 30s, though.

YABU. Full doctor at 47, then 3-5-7 years for a speciality, that really is expecting too much. Max 10 years left to work before retirement. You won’t get on the magic £100K package by then.

@LadyWithLapdog

YABU. Full doctor at 47, then 3-5-7 years for a speciality, that really is expecting too much. Max 10 years left to work before retirement. You won’t get on the magic £100K package by then.

Post completion of medicine at 44. Assume you train to become a GP, you can definitely be on £100k by 52.

I'd look into nursing or AHP route honestly

It’s fairly unrealistic but not totally impossible if you can find one of the few graduate programmes available. You need to speak to their admissions dept though as you more than likely need a science or health related background (biology, microbiology, chemistry, nursing, paramedic sciences, physio etc). Humanities, even with a medical bent may not get you over the line.

i wouldnt bother