Has anyone become a doctor or vet later on? I'm 34 with 2 young children, is it a mad idea?

[looseleaf]

I don't even have science A levels so would have to take these and wondering whether it's a mad idea; I thought of becoming a vet as a teen but never hard enough and now I have children wonder whether becoming a doctor would be reachable as it's a job I'd feel even more important (I grew up animal mad but now would care even more about human patients!)

Has anyone done this eg after having children ?

I think I would love the challenge but could we ever possibly afford it and how would I find out if I have what it takes? DH thinks a great idea but i think it will take so long. And our youngest is only 2.

[AliceInSandwichLand]

I'm a vet too and completely agree with DeathbyLaundry - I work pretty much exactly the hours I choose and have done (part time) for 20 years or so ever since pregnant with DD1, which is great. I have 23 years experience and earn the equivalent of £52k pro rata for the hours I work, (actually about 17k) which is very good money for a part time job but nothing like what I would earn with 23 years experience in medicine. So - medicine more lucrative especially later, but vet more flexible, probably.

[numberoneidiot]

Interesting thread!

[AliceInSandwichLand]

Also huge controversy in veterinary profession at the moment re likely future oversupply of vets and consequent poor employment prospects, or not, depending on viewpoint. Something else to consider if you are thinking seriously about the vet route. also you will need several weeks' work experience to apply to vet school - I think medicine also has requirements?

[steeking]

Lucky you Alice . 20 years qualified, but my pro rata is nowhere near yours- it's nearer £42k

[VivaLeBeaver]

Dd is nearly 13yo. I might leave it another three years or so. Once she starts sixth form it might be easier for me to do and its not that far away. Thanks for the info Peaky.

[pimplywrinkle]

Good luck. Hope it works out for you

[HavantGuard]

All the GPs I know over 40 are trying to get out.

[CoconutSponge]

All the GPs I know over 40 are trying to get out

Have they said why, Havant?

[HavantGuard]

The sheer volume of paperwork and expectation. For the last 18 months it's gotten worse. The most recent one to quit is 42. They'll do some locum work as and when they want to and leave behind the pressure and responsibility of being a partner and all the financial management, tonnes of paper and hoop jumping that requires.

[Grubber]

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I am in a similar situation now, as it has always been my goal to become a vet, and I have worked very hard over the last 10 years accumulating lots of work experience, working in animal related jobs in the UK & overseas etc, and am now in my Honours year in an Animal Science degree. My ultimate aim was to enter vet school as a graduate, but I am having serious doubts about whether my heart is in it anymore.
During my Animal Science degree, I've always been more drawn to the human consequences of animal health, and based most of my projects around this (for example, zoonotic disease, and advocating animal testing for the benefit of human health). Also, when I did a placement with an animal charity in Peru, I could not stop thinking about the local children who were obviously far more in need of healthcare provisions than the stray animals I was "rescuing." It actually made me really evaluate what I was doing, and as much as I love animals, to me humans are more important.

I suppose I made my mind up a long time ago that Medicine was more for me, but on the other hand I am sad about this decision. I will really miss the practical side of working with animals, to me I am very hands on, I love the idea of working for myself and having the freedom to travel for work.

Then again, Dentistry is probably more my thing because it is hands on...see, I just don't know yet!!