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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To become a Doctor

29 replies

Itonlymakesyoustronger · 06/09/2021 12:45

Hi All,

I really would like some guidance.
Ive always wanted to be a doctor unfortunately I was young and took the alternative and easy career option which is not in a medical background. fast forward a few years, unpaid undergraduate loans, a toddler, husband and mortgage - I really want to get back into the medical feidl.

I started off correctly and did a health and social care course which at the time got me accepted to do adult nursing at university, however being young and foolish I drop the offer and went into a different field. Im not at a stage that I am not happy career wise - Im late twenties, and would really like to work in the medical field like my whole family.

Is it to late to start education again? Is it doable to think of doing something else in the medical profession which isn't a doctor?

Anyone with any guidance or help would really help me!

Thank you

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 06/09/2021 12:48

I do question why every time you get close to working in healthcare, you veer away from it.

What about becoming a clinical support worker in hospital, or a carer? It would help you understand if you really do want to work in this field or whether you're just uncomfortable that your family do it and you don't. You'd also get to see lots of other professions in action - there's a lot of difference eg being a physio, a pharmacist, a radiographer, a nurse...

BlackandJello · 06/09/2021 12:51

Radiography?

scoobydoo1971 · 06/09/2021 13:02

It is hard to get into medical school as a mature student. It is possible, but challenging. The curriculum is also exceptionally demanding. I know two people who work in the NHS as health-care assistants on wards, and they are studying for a degree in nursing at the same time. If that doesn't appeal, there are plenty of clinical and care roles in allied disciplines which let you decide if you like the work-area. It would be wise to get work placements before committing to a degree of study. For what it is worth, I have changed my career three times...and about to retrain as something totally different at 50 as an accident prevents me doing my former job.

HisSplendidSilentSun · 06/09/2021 13:03

It is never too late for any kind of education. I switched careers in my 40's and have never looked back.

Do it. Don't look back on life and think 'I wish I had done.........!'

chesirecat99 · 06/09/2021 13:05

You might get a better response in Higher Education or Chat than Relationships. If you report your post, you can ask MN to move it.

There is lots of advice on applying to med school in Higher Education but you might find more people who have done it with young children in Chat or AIBU. Just make sure you phrase it as an AIBU question if you don't want to get eaten alive Grin

It's not too late, plenty of people go to med school in their late twenties, either as graduates or undergraduates. It will not be easy with a toddler though. You will need to find out which med schools will accept your access diploma:
www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2655/access-courses-infosheet.pdf

You might want to consider medical associate professions as an alternative:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions-maps

TaraR2020 · 06/09/2021 13:24

Re a medical degree: It isn't too late at all, if it's what you want to do, then do it sooner than later - the longer you wait the harder it's likely to get.

In spite of the current shortage of doctors, there's also no guarantee you'll be accepted first time.

For another medical field, it absolutely isn't too late. Do some research as to what's out there and more importantly think what it is about medical career that appeals, what you do and don't want in a job.

Why is it you turned down nursing?

Speak to medical professionals if you can and seek out work experience/shadowing too. Take a look at prospects.ac.uk for a suited careers quiz and descriptions of what different roles are like.

RantyAunty · 06/09/2021 13:32

What were the careers you went into and why?

Of course it's not too late. You're young.

MNHQ
DawnMumsnet · 06/09/2021 13:43

We're moving this thread over to our Higher Education topic for the OP.

l2b2 · 06/09/2021 13:47

Re the unpaid undergraduate loans, do you already have a degree?
Just trying to ascertain what qualifications you already have, before commenting. Not clear from your OP.

Miniroofbox · 06/09/2021 14:03

What’s your current degree in - would you qualify for graduate entry? And how are you going to fund your medicine degree?

chesirecat99 · 06/09/2021 14:11

@l2b2

Re the unpaid undergraduate loans, do you already have a degree? Just trying to ascertain what qualifications you already have, before commenting. Not clear from your OP.
Funding might be an issue if you have already had a student loan.
TaraR2020 · 06/09/2021 14:16

Graduate medicine - 4yr course - would mean the op is eligible to apply for a student loan

Original poster
Itonlymakesyoustronger · 06/09/2021 14:27

So I currently work in marketing with a BA(hons) in Marketing.

I did use student loans to fund my undergraduate degree

OP posts:
chesirecat99 · 06/09/2021 14:42

@TaraR2020

Graduate medicine - 4yr course - would mean the op is eligible to apply for a student loan
Most graduate medicine courses require a life sciences degree and there is usually only partial funding available as a loan. It's also even more competitive to get a place than undergraduate medicine. Don't let me put you off though, OP, it's not impossible!

www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/outreach-and-support/financing-your-studies

This is another good site as well as the one above for info:
www.themedicportal.com/

SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 08/09/2021 20:10

Have you looked at a physicians associate as a career? What made you apply for nursing and then pull out?

EgonSpengler2020 · 08/09/2021 20:17

Consider doing nursing or an allied health care profession which you can then do a masters in advanced practice at a later date. It means you can pace yourself through your career more than medicine which is med school then straight into F1 f2 craziness then rapidly into specialty training, with little let up.

If you do decide to go down the allied health professional route spend a good amount of time researching all the options as there are some pretty niche careers that most people don't realise exist (prosthetics and orthotics, cardiac technician, medical technically officer roles etc), with most professions having advanced practice routes established now.

CrazyCatLover · 10/09/2021 23:30

Agree with the advice @EgonSpengler2020 has given. I started off in nursing and have just qualified as an advanced clinical practitioner. I now work on the medical rota at ST1-ST4 level and love it. I did consider medicine also but this route has worked out well for me x

Embracelife · 10/09/2021 23:32

You are only kate 20s
Still young
Pursue your dreams
Look fir apprenticeship schemes in NHS?

DoctorDonna20 · 11/09/2021 10:27

If you do train as an AHP hoping to later become an ACP I suggest you choose one that allows you to become an independent prescriber - I haven't checked recently but I don't think OT or P&O do for example. It isn't an absolute requirement for ACP training but some employers (mine!) have it as a requirement.
Also don't rely on getting an ACP training post - they're extremely competitive.
Good luck!

FictionalCharacter · 19/10/2021 00:37

How about training as a paramedic?

Xenia · 19/10/2021 10:27

As said above check if anywhere will have a graduate doctor programme where your first degree does not have to be medicine for a start.

My father did a physics degree (at Durham - BSc). Then decided to do medicine so started all over again in a sense - in those days he read medicine at Durham but in Newcastle so it is certianly possible. He was helped because our mother worked full time as a teacher for 13 years and they put off having babies until ten years after they were married - so she always said she was the first woman in the town who claimed the married man's allowance. As he became a consultant he was going exams from age 18 right through to age 30 !!! However the then worked full time until age 77 (and in the NHS as long as they allowed him - to age 63).

Darbs76 · 20/10/2021 19:59

Worth looking at the funding as you only get 4yrs I believe Uni education, I know there’s fee’s now but I think you pay a lot more once you’ve done your 4yrs. I’m not sure if there’s other rules for medicine / nursing etc. Good luck, never too late to follow your dreams

Deux · 20/10/2021 20:15

It’s never too late. You are still young. You have lots of options available to you. The only thing that’s guaranteed is that time will pass regardless.

I have a friend from home who trained as a doctor in her late 20s and she now works as a GP. She studied at Southampton but it was some time ago.

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 20/10/2021 21:17

Worth looking at the funding as you only get 4yrs I believe Uni education, I know there’s fee’s now but I think you pay a lot more once you’ve done your 4yrs. I’m not sure if there’s other rules for medicine / nursing etc.

The funding is really complicated. There's a good explanation at rmbf.org/get-help/help-for-medical-students/medical-student-advice-hub/medicine-as-a-second-degree-in-england/

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