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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To change careers and become a doctor at 39?

210 replies

ValleyOfTheTramadols · 30/11/2021 11:05

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?

OP posts:
Hobnobsandbroomstick · 30/11/2021 14:20

IIWY I would want to be sure that this urge/sense of calling isn't an emotional response to what sounds like a traumatic period of your life and/or an attempt to displace feelings about that.

Also this. Google wounded helper syndrome.

VestaTilley · 30/11/2021 14:32

@JesusInTheCabbageVan is hang on the money; I really wanted to look in to converting to medicine, but knowing the menopause could be starting just as I got out of med school (assuming I ever got in) made me realise it was a pipe dream, especially as I still want more children.

I’d honestly look in to nursing instead.

VestaTilley · 30/11/2021 14:32

*bang, bloody iPhone

anotherBadAvatar · 30/11/2021 15:04

No way

I’m 39 and a hospital consultant

Nights/exams/rotations were bearable in my single 20s, but Would be hell on earth now.

Couple that with a nice dose of PTSD from my role during covid. Nope. Nopity nope.

AngelasRashes · 30/11/2021 15:07

42 year old Hospital Consultant in an acute specialty here. 2 young children under 3. I am permanently exhausted. The junior doctor years were pretty tough but I was in my 20s and could muddle through on little sleep. I’ve no idea how I would begin to manage frequent nightshifts/long days/weekends now, and I can’t imagine starting as a new F1 doctor in 5 years’ time.

littlepieces · 30/11/2021 15:14

I'm 35 and started looking into medicine again a couple of years ago. I went to a few open days, spoke to some 'mature' medicine students and came to the conclusion it wouldn't be financially or practically feasible for me. Currently earning a comfortable salary in a low stress role in publishing after working hard in mediocre paid jobs for years. Not sure I now want to take a huge chunk out of my savings, halve my salary, move into a cheaper, grottier rented place, AND put my stress levels through the roof. But if finances weren't an issue then maybe I'd give it go!

There are lots of other really interesting careers in medical science other than being a doctor too, and I'm currently exploring this. A uni friend who studied medicine ended up going into forensics, and I know someone else who dropped out of their junior doctor years and now works in genetics research. Like a few other posters have mentioned, you can also work your way up in nursing, which seems to be slightly more manageable and you'll be on the job earning quicker.

littlepieces · 30/11/2021 15:19

Ps. The mature medical students I spoke with had all come into money, already came from wealth, or were being fully funded by scholarships.

cloudiestdays · 30/11/2021 15:24

I would suggest working as a hospital HCA first and look around you at what the other roles entail.

If you want to do lots of hands on patient care then as far as I can see a doctor is not the right role. The nurses and the hcas do the hands on care, mostly the hcas in some wards where the nurses are very busy with meds and paperwork.

greenmarlin · 30/11/2021 15:30

I had this thought around your age but realised after talking to doctor friends it would never work with family life and I'd miss my kids too much. Now looking at retraining as a nurse now that my kids are at school as I can do it part time & it is such a sought-after skill I will hopefully always have work.

DPotter · 30/11/2021 15:32

Another suggesting you look at the Physician's Associate training - although they are looking for 1st degrees in biomed subjects - check out the NHS link here -

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate

To undertake the full medical qualification and training you will need a highly supportive and flexible family set up. You say you've been accompanying your son for long periods in hospital recently - if your son has a long term condition requiring long / frequent hospital stays I would be really wary about going into medicine. Yes - you can train part time but that just pushes the final date of qualification further into the future.

pianolessons1 · 30/11/2021 16:13

@MrsBison

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).

That's optimistic on the salary front unless you're including employer pension contributions
pianolessons1 · 30/11/2021 16:15

@forinborin

‘Minimum’ time to independent practice (consultant or gp) would be 5 years after finishing med school if you choose GP track. I thought GPs can go into GP practice pretty much after FY2, and are on quite good money (60K+) from the start?
You thought wrong
2bazookas · 30/11/2021 16:20

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

I think you're grossly underestimate the entry requirements.
You will require evidence of some medical/caring work experience, as well as A levels.

Entry to UK medical schools is so highly competitive they won't look at anyone with "minimum qualifications" ; you'd be up against applicants offering at least 3 top-grade A level sciences. Who have also done 2 years lab work in Chemistry and Biology.

Following graduation in medicine , there are two foundation years not one.

icedcoffees · 30/11/2021 16:22

God, I think you're utterly mad.

Night shifts, rotations, working weekends, Christmas, bank holidays - it's not a child-friendly career in the slightest.

Who is going to look after your son while you work all these awkward shifts?

MumofBoys79 · 30/11/2021 16:41

Have you considered the allied health professions? Many universities offer two year Masters courses for graduates. I'm applying for occupational therapy. But there are lots of other options.
Medicine sounds like a really hard slog to me personally.

CrazyCatLover · 30/11/2021 17:08

Not impossible but personally I wouldn’t. I don’t envy doctors at all. Med school is one thing, then after that life gets a lot tougher. New rotations every 6 months having to get used to new hospital systems, new staff frequently. Often working 50+ hours some weeks, four 13 hour shifts in a row. Constant exams post qualifying. Constant portifolio work. Presentations to do during each rotation. Difficult people to deal with, both other professionals and patients. I think people who go into that a bit earlier in life find it a bit easier. Not saying you can’t do it but I don’t think medicine is an attractive career anymore. Like other posters are saying, nurses have taken on loads of extra work in the last few years and areas like ITU, ED have good career pathways.

ThanksItHasPockets · 30/11/2021 17:59

@2bazookas

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

I think you're grossly underestimate the entry requirements.
You will require evidence of some medical/caring work experience, as well as A levels.

Entry to UK medical schools is so highly competitive they won't look at anyone with "minimum qualifications" ; you'd be up against applicants offering at least 3 top-grade A level sciences. Who have also done 2 years lab work in Chemistry and Biology.

Following graduation in medicine , there are two foundation years not one.

I have to agree with this. A very good friend of mine did graduate entry medicine at Kings London in her late twenties. She had outstanding science A Levels and an MBiochem from Oxford and she still had to build up six months’ work experience as a HCA in order to win a place on the course.
AnnaMagnani · 30/11/2021 19:07

I have to say I wouldn't look at nursing and working up to being an Advanced Practitoner - this is also a long route.

There are many Allied Health Professional careers which are awesome in their own right, making independent decisions about patient care and in many cases the added bonus of no nights or weekends, or traipsing round the country on rotations during training.

momamama · 30/11/2021 19:44

I wanted to do the same two years ago at your age but with the alevels I would need to do for science then the training plus the unfriendly working hours and the intense study with the children I just couldn't justify it. I'm a year into midwifery training and it's scratching that itch but in an easier way for my family. Have you looked at physician apprenticeship degrees?

violetfern · 30/11/2021 20:12

Just to echo some posts above, I have been a GP for 10 years and even when I worked virtually full time pre kids earned absolutely nowhere near £100k- if only!! This is not to put you off at all but there is a common misconception that we earn more than we do.

MargaretThursday · 30/11/2021 20:27

Just looking at the start:

I did science (and maths/further maths) A-levels and got top grades. My dc are at the A-level and just beyond stages, so I've seen their work.
I'm not convinced I could get, in a year of study, back to that level, in the sciences I did 20 years ago. That would be alongside job/my children/household tasks etc .

I'm not convinced you'd be getting through those A*s in two sciences in a year.

GrumpyTerrier · 30/11/2021 21:03

If you want to do it just do it. It's unlikely you didn't already think of the pros and cons yourself!

Greybeardy · 30/11/2021 21:27

I’m an early 40s acute specialty non-consultant-non-trainee with no children and earning significantly less than the legendary £100k and there’s not a chance I’d be signing up to start again at your age. Am planning my exit from on-call already (having lasted 16yrs) because it’s utterly miserable at this age. Am only aware of one cons who worked until their late 60s and by the end were slowing down drastically and noticeably not at the top of their game. Really really do some work experience before you sign up.

IslaInthesun · 30/11/2021 22:02

2 science A levels in a year while also gaining relevant work experience will be very hard