To feel such a strong calling to be a doctor even though it's not realistic?

[breathingatlast]

I feel such a strong, deep calling to be a doctor even though I don't think it's realistic nor would it suit me. I'm very squeamish and hate blood, spit, snot, vomit, etc. I'm also very reserved. Yet I just feel such a strong longing to be a doctor, I have a strong desire to have a job where I feel like I'm helping people and making a difference. Whenever I'm in a healthcare setting I just have this feeling like I belong there and it feels 'right'. I have so much respect for healthcare workers.

Ever since I was a student this longing to be a doctor would come up periodically. I tried to follow that desire in my own way by studying Biology and working in the pharmaceutical industry but it hasn't really fulfilled me. It's not about the money or the prestige. I have considered going into nursing or a physician's associate or a healthcare assistant role.

Do other people get this kind of longing about being a doctor/working in healthcare?

How about looking into allied health professional jobs? Maybe one of them would suit you?

I have a first and distinction in my BSc and MSc in Molecular Biology, respectively. I think I have the stamina and time for medical school as I'm in my 20s, single with no children. I still don't feel clever enough for medical school though.

It's purely the squeamishness. I don't know how squeamish students get through medical school. I'm quite a sensitive person and I get phantom pains/sensations when I see others in pain or hear people describing their pain.

I have thought about the allied healthcare professionals. I like the idea of being a pharmacist too but I can't afford to fund a second degree myself.

Is this actually viable? I can't imagine it's possible to just shadow a doctor.

I was the same OP.. I chose to study OT massive help to people and absolutely meaningful x

Maybe look at hypnosis to cure your squeamishness?

Or consider psychiatry? Still get bodily fluids obviously but you won’t be the one dealing with it.

@breathingatlast have a look at the NHS STP scheme. Extremely competitive but successful applicants get three years training which includes a vocational MSc. There are lots of different streams leading to varied and interesting NHS careers. With your qualifications you could be a strong candidate.

STP trainees are paid at Band 6

It might be? Ive sat in on small day surgeries but it was in a tiny cottage hospital many years ago as a work experience student, i imagine it might not be so easy nowadays

There’s plenty of blood in psychiatry, especially inpatient units. They support people who self-harm. Also psychiatrists still have to do the basic medical training which involves plenty of blood and fluids.

You can be a doctor if you are squeamish. Obviously there are levels of squeamishness and you have to get through training. I am a doctor, have fainted in surgery and had to do some deep breathing for some of the gruesome stuff. 😅

I now work in mental health and research and I absolutely love it.

Yes, it is encouraged that people applying for medicine shadow doctors to get an idea of the role, happening this year despite covid.

you are same like me OP. My dream to be a doctor. I grew up in indonesia and i was in med school for 6 months but back then my family struggling with money and i cant continue my study. Now i’m 33 and i have money. But i dont think i have the time to go to med school. Its soo long to learn medicine and also i have 2 kids. But its always on my dream to become a surgeon

33 isn't too old.

If you can't afford to fund a second degree yourself, how can you afford medicine? It's super pricey to do it postgrad, nhs bursary is stingy and you can't afford to live just off it alone.

But you do sound like you'd be a great HCP, you just need to find your niche. A physicians associate might be another good option but realistically you would have to still place cannulas and take bloods so you'd still need to work with blood.

You do need a strong stomach for medicine though. In my opinion anyway, there's a lot of grim stuff, I can't really see how you can avoid it. You'd need to do PR exams, hear ribs breaking by doing CPR, see a LOT of vomit/poo, work in operating theatres with surgeries/the smell of the diathermy (I hate it so you wouldn't be alone there!), place catheters.

Im trying to think of other allied professions that aren't as grim. Pharmacist is a good shout, OT, podiatrist, play therapist, hand therapist, radiography perhaps? There are so many really rewarding careers - good luck

Look at your local hospital for work experience. See how you get on. But I'd be wary about the costs and time associated with medical training.

I'm a doctor. I'm not sure that if I had my time again I'd repeat my choices. Working in the NHS is brutal.

With respect to your other concerns being a bit squeamish might not be the obstacle you think - personally I'm not great with vomit. If the patient pukes I normally puke too. However, I've made it through training and am a consultant anaesthetist now! If my patients vomit in recovery I normally volunteer to go and get the sick bowl rather than hang around at the bedspace!

I've only been sick once at a really bad moment - cardiac arrest, I went to intubate, someone did a chest compression and a little jet of vomit came up the oesophagus straight into my eyeline so I promptly turned to the side and vomited all over my ODPs (apologies to the ODP up thread) shoes.

We did actually manage to resuscitate the patient vomiting moments aside.

This is what the OP needs to read in 1 reply to decide if medicine is for them.

I've done some more research and I'm thinking of going down the physician associate route. I'd have to get some broader experience though as all of my work experience is in industry and laboratories, I don't have any experience working with patients or the general public

Radiology? Medical scientist?

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