To consider studying medicine at 43?

[PurpleOrchid42]

And with 2 ND kids, aged 6 and 2? Is this completely unrealistic? Or is it possible to live that dream?

imagine you are 90. Look back on your life. How will you feel if you don’t give it a go.
Go for it, aim for your dream and if you don’t quite reach the stars well, you will be on a path that fascinates and sustains you.
am excited for you!

I worked in one hospital with a Dr who was 75 years old. Was his passion and he couldn't retire

this.
how brilliant to have such passion, interest and usefulness- at any age. But especially when the culture wants you to sit home and watch loud daytime tv.
definitely go for it. You will work through the problems, or more likely the problems will change as you get closer to them.
youll Cope. And if you don’t, you’ll change. But you know what?you’ll have done it.

Oh, come on. This isn’t some Tik Tok advice. You can’t manifest a medical degree just by wishing it enough.

You're right. It took me 11 years to become a GP though I didn't take any years out.

Please don't do it. It's really not worth the hassle. If you are looking for a rewarding career, maybe try charity work or working with the elderly. If you are looking for money, you'll find that you earn much less than people in the corporate sector who have studied and trained for half the time you have (who have no clinical responsibility I might add). If you're looking for status, there is none here.

Have you heard about the recent issues with PA's? The government is trying to replace doctors with underqualified staff because they are cheaper and can't emigrate with their qualifications, so will essentially be held hostage by the NHS. I really believe that private healthcare will become very common soon, with the wealthier seeing doctors and those who can't afford it being left to non-doctors.

It's not a bright future.

@YOURSELF I think some people (eg you) are just so desperate for me to a) not be capable b) too old c)too stupid to understand the challenges regarding my own family life, finances and available time. What if I am more than capable?

@RiderofRohan oh that's so sad. I have had such incredible care by so many professionals on the NHS. I always found it truly inspirational, which I guess is how I ended up wishing I'd done medicine back in the day. But when I was 18, I didn't want to go to uni to work hard, I wanted to party 😃

It sounds like you made the right choice. I wish I hadn't taken life so seriously as a young person!

It costs the taxpayer a lot of moneyvto train a doctor.why would it be good value for money to train someone nearing the end of their working life rather than an 18 year old

I think lots of people say this about their careers though. I do, my friends do. I think you should look into fast track courses.

Hahaha! A 43 year old is near the end of their working life???

OP you’d be about 50 by the time you qualify, plus the speciality training. So about 55? That’s IS closer to pension than to college.

Become a Physician's Assistant and contribute to the dumbing down of the NHS - sorry, just being cynical.

My late OH was a GP - it destroyed him, mentally and physically.

They are 43 now and not applied, so at least 1.5 years until they could start in sept 2025 if they have required pre app qualifications then 5 year degree so 50 min by time qualified. Yes they may work 15 or so more years but about 10 will be pre consultant (8 minimum for most specialities if work full time no additional out of program jobs or training) and this involves shift work, portfolio Up keep, exams etc

you would be crazy to do medicine aiming to complete at 50+ and join the NHS in the current state of affairs! And you would only just be a junior Dr. It is the sort of thing that sends one to an early grave as stress levels are only going up for Drs

Bravo!