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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to go to medical school?

54 replies

tummytickler · 06/05/2009 20:50

Hello
Well, am i being unreasonable to want to go to medical school?
I have four kids and i am currently a sahm, which i mostly enjoy, but we have used all of our savings to enable me to do this.
Dh job comes to an end in June and is having trouble finding another, so we are not very well off at all at the moment.
BUT - I have always had a yearning to go to medical school, wanted it desperately when i was at college but ended up doing something completely unrelated.
I havent done my research yet, as i have been mulling it over for a couple of weeks, but seem to be talking myself into it more than anything! So i thought some opinions of strangers might be in order before i unleash mad thoughts to my family.
My degree is in Anthropolgy so think i may have to do some A - levels first.

So am i too old?
Am i just mad?
Is it the most rediculous thing you ever heard?
Is it really unfair to do it with young children (although surely i cant leave it much longer as i will be too old?)

Thanks ladies - talk some sense into me!

OP posts:
oneplusone · 06/05/2009 20:55

How old are you?

Original poster
tummytickler · 06/05/2009 20:56

30

OP posts:
canttouchthis · 06/05/2009 20:57

Good on you for having ambition! But the reality of working in medicine would be different from what you imagine it to be. Lots of study, then work placements, you would have to do on-call etc. I'm not a doctor myself but have worked with them. It would be hard graft to get through the course, I think the least you can do is 5 years, and then you specialise after that. Don't quote me on that, but that's from what I remember from speaking to medical staff (I'm now a SAHM too).

Also, how would you deal with it on practical terms? would your H look after the kids whilst you study? Would he be happy with this?

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 20:57

Life's too short for dreaming. Why not. Have you seen the GEM courses? They are 4 year courses for graduates. I want to do one.

BillSilverFoxBuchanan · 06/05/2009 20:57

There is a post grad medicine course which you may be eligible for - that would be worth a look into

MrsMattie · 06/05/2009 20:59

If you really, really want to do it, DO IT. But do your groundwork, make sure you know exactly what it involves and be prepared for a long, hard slog.

I think you're amazing, though. Good on you!

canttouchthis · 06/05/2009 20:59

YANBU to want a career that would truly make you happy, but YABU to not realise how demanding a career like medicine can be. You would spend a lot of your time being stressed out.

cheshirekitty · 06/05/2009 21:00

Go for it. If you don't, you will live your life wondering 'what if'.

Life is for living, we only get one shot of it.

Medicine needs people with a broader view of life.

Laquitar · 06/05/2009 21:01

I will just tell you that my friend left school at 16. Did travelling, partying etc then had 3 dd's and then at the age of 41 started a degree in Law and politics. But i have to add that she had some savings and her dh had a good job. I think you can study anything you like at any age but you have to work out the money side especially as medicine can take many years. GOOD LUK

FigmentOfYourImagination · 06/05/2009 21:05

Life as a student doctor and then as a newly qualified doc even as a single, carefree childless person is very tough, very physically, emotionally and academically demanding (even for the very academically gifted).

You will need to be superwoman and have a very good support system on hand (not to mention a very patient and supportive DH) but it is possible, just be prepared for a very bumpy ride.

EyeballsisonaDietAgain · 06/05/2009 21:07

Absolutely not BU to want to go for it. But we have two doctors in the family and the training is bloody hard, unrewarding work. But as long as you know that, and I'm sure you do, then go for it! Life's too short to pass up chances

wb · 06/05/2009 21:08

If you really want to do it get all your facts together and then talk to your dh. he will need to be 100% behind your it just won't work.

wb · 06/05/2009 21:08

[blush} ...behind you or it just won't work.

wb · 06/05/2009 21:09
Blush
FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 21:10

I'll be more then happy to share some info with you about the graduate course. Feel free to CAT me.

LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune · 06/05/2009 21:10

You also need to be able to move around the country (or at least quite a wide area of it) as an ST and have a very hardy liver.

georgimama · 06/05/2009 21:11

Unreasonable? Definitely not.

Whether or not it is practical is another matter. Would your husband support you? Would be impossible without his 100% support and commitment.

I was idily googling ex uni friends I'd lost touch with the other day (oh, I bet you all do it too) and found that one guy I last saw as a third year law student (him, not me, although I am a lawyer now by a long and circituous route) is in fact not a lawyer but a doctor.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 21:14

I did a law degree. I've always wanted to do medicine. I'm still arsing around waiting for ds to grow up.

georgimama · 06/05/2009 21:17

I know of several people with undergraduate degrees in medicine who are lawyers too. Is very strange, some people just too clever!

Original poster
tummytickler · 06/05/2009 21:19

Dh is vaguely aware that i want to do this - on more than one occasion after a few glasses of win i have said to him i still want to do it, but not in any in depth sort of way.
He is a scientist would be a big help to me with the academic side of things
We were lucky enough to meet when we were very young and my dream originally was to become a doctor and work in developing countries, but i read a lot of anthropological text and went for an Anthropology degree and considered an MA in medical Anthropology, but the yearning dod not go away and thought it better to save the cash.
I wouldnt work in developing countries now, (not until dcs are adults anyway), but still want to do the medical degree!
I think i am going to get all my facts straight and put a proposal forward to dh!
Crikey we are ttc no 5 at the moment so maybe timing is not great, but is it ever?

OP posts:
FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 06/05/2009 21:20

Not me! I don't know how the hell I got through this degree! They must have given me extra marks for sheer determination and bull shitting extensions!

FigmentOfYourImagination · 06/05/2009 21:20

One of the consultants I work with is a consultant in medicine and a Professor in Law.

pasturesnew · 06/05/2009 21:23

My friend did this but not with children, she was a paramedic first then did the 4 year course. She is happy, I think the paramedic experience helped make up her mind.

chatname · 06/05/2009 21:24

Southampton take up to age 41 if I recall correctly.

4 year course for people with other degrees.

loobylu3 · 06/05/2009 21:26

Hi tummytickler
I am a doctor and mum of three but I went straight to medical school at 18! I always wanted to be a Dr and the job (in itself) is v rewarding in a lot of ways- it is rather wrecked by politicians and hierachy but anyway...
Nothing is impossible but you would really need the full support of your husband/ family, etc.
You would also need to have the finances for it (unsure if you would have to fund yourself) plus childcare in place. I really think that going from being a full time mum to being a medical student would be a huge shock!
There is really a lot of work involved in a medical degree (the hours are v different to anthropology) and a huge amount of information to commit to memory- and that's only the degree! Afterwards, the job can certainly be stressful, a huge responsibility and long hours (although these are significantly less than they used to be). At 18/ 20, or without children, this is all possible and the social side and support from the friends that you make is fantastic. the whole thing is really a great experience. However, with all your other responsibilities, it would be far more difficult for you to enjoy this to the full.
Having said all of this, there are 'mature' med students at all the Universities. I was at Bristol and they had a good reputation for accepting older students at that point. I think Southampton also has a good reputation for this.
If you are actually serious, the first thing would be to contact your local Unis and find out about the course, the cost, etc. I would definitely try to talk to other mature students also.
Good luck! Let us know what you decide and if you need any more help!