Going to med school at 30 - thoughts?

It shouldn't be about money since you are making enough with your current job. You are not too old to change your occupation. If your family is willing to support your decision and your family will not have significant financial distress, then it may be worth considering it. But the main question is...how do you know you will enjoy your occupation as a physician? The description you gave fits a job as a nutritionist....not a physician. If you really want to go a medical school, go volunteer at a hospital. Go face the realty. You will realize that becoming a physician has it's reward and stress.

Whoever gave you the average sports medicine salary is either wrong or using misleading stats. Sports medicine is a fellowship from internal medicine, family medicine, and orthopedic surgery. However, from orthopedic surgery it is a completely different field, it is surgical. Those guys like most orthopedic surgeons make very good money, however, typical sports medicine from IM/FM in a salaried job makes around 150k because typically their pt encounters take longer, although insurance is less of an issue and the hours are predictable. Don't tell me about a friend of a friend who is the sports medicine doctor with the Knicks and pulls 400k with minimal work and sees all the Knick games for free, yes there are jobs like that but they are few and far between.

Sports medicine is NOT particularly competitive, don't know where people got that from. Within Internal Med, the fellowships that are most competitive are Cards, GI, allergy. Even if you go through family practice which is not that competitive, sports medicine isn't too bad, because most family practice people don't do fellowship, and if you do a decent job in family residency with a little sports medicine research the fellowship is yours. I know of no family practice people showing an interest in pursuing that fellowship, although the ones I know represent a small sample size.

Nurse anesthesist is a great field, although the poster who recommended it left out one part, in addition to nursing school, and 1-2 year nurse anesthesist school(depending on school), you almost always need 1-2 years as an ICU nurse before you will be accepted to nurse anesthesist school. And since you can't just start as an ICU nurse that requires some time on the floors as a general nurse, that is extra time, although you are compensated well for that, it will be very different than being a nurse anesthesist so that will affect work enjoyment depending on what you like. Also nurse anethesist does not really have anything to do with nutrition/fitness so unsure about if OP would enjoy that.

Regardless to get back to the OP, from what you say about your interest in nutrition/fitness, most of medicine even sports medicine has little of that(unfortunately), and even the fields that do, it will be SOLID 10 YEARS before you are practicing what you envision the ideal scenario to be as residency, med school will not entail any of that. However, personal trainers do a lot of that and deal with clients interested in improving their fitness/nutrition(in contrast to majority of pts). When I signed up for gym membership, they offered me a free session with personal trainer, which I took. I chatted with her and she told me she's a full time accountant, however, she always loved fitness/nutrition, so she does personal training on the side with a couple clients each week in addition to her full time job. She remarked about loving the idea of being able to do it full time but almost none make what she makes at her current job, unless you're lucky enough to break into servicing extremely rich people, celebrities, athletes, etc. So I think doing something like that part time could be a good outlet for this interest, and it might take off and maybe you will be one of those few who break into that upper tier and making good money while doing fitness/nutrition. Someone recommended being a nutritionist which in theory would entail some of your interests, however, in practice physicians only call for nutritionist in those with special diets such as celiac disease, and poorly compliant diabetics. So if you think it will be some mildly overweight people attempting to become very fit, you will be quite wrong.

If you hate your job, then a change may very well be a good idea, but an interest in fitness/nutrition and an interest in medicine, given the realities of modern healthcare have almost nothing to do with each other.

emgeecee said:   Whoever gave you the average sports medicine salary is either wrong or using misleading stats. Sports medicine is a fellowship from internal medicine, family medicine, and orthopedic surgery. However, from orthopedic surgery it is a completely different field, it is surgical. Those guys like most orthopedic surgeons make very good money, however, typical sports medicine from IM/FM in a salaried job makes around 150k because typically their pt encounters take longer, although insurance is less of an issue and the hours are predictable. Don't tell me about a friend of a friend who is the sports medicine doctor with the Knicks and pulls 400k with minimal work and sees all the Knick games for free, yes there are jobs like that but they are few and far between.

Do these actually exist? I've always heard that practices pay the team for the right to be the team's physician (for the notoriety, etc).

I know numerous people with less money, more debt, more kids, and possible less intelligence who went to medical school and are successful MDs.

Stop thinking its a holy grail. It's not. But, for the right person, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.

Personally, I would ALWAYS chose a career over a job.

I would strike while the iron is hot. Regret is a bitch of gi-normous proportions.

Take baby steps. Just takes some courses and take the MCAT. Re-evealuate after that.

This reminds me of an old Ann Landers column, where a guy wrote in to say that he always wanted to go to med school, but was now in his 40s. He concluded with something to the effect of, "If I go back to school, it'll be 8 years before I become a doctor and I'll be 50 years old by then!"

Ann Landers' response: "How old will you be in 8 years if you DON'T go back to school?"

Agree that some teams may get paid by the physician, but many good college/pro teams have enough money, and will want to get the best in their fields in that area, physicians that aren't necessarily hurting for pts, and if they aren't compensated at least something(even if it's below their typical rate), they may not want to do it. The doctors who are willing to kill/pay to be the oncall plastic surgeon(the ophtho guy I mentioned earlier, mentioned that DC's hockey team has an oncall plastic surgeon) for a hockey team is not usually the same plastic surgeon the hockey team wants(i.e. a well known guy with an already busy practice). Given a pro teams/big college team's yearly budget, a football team setting aside 5k for a top neurologist to be on call might be a better investment than receiving 50k from a neurologist willing to pay 50k to be that football team's neurologist.

I am an audiologist and we have had former lawyers apply to both our doctorate program as well as to programs in speech-language pathology.
A male relative was a lawyer and decided to change gears at your age to becoming a nurse.
There are many health care occupations to choose from besides becoming an MD; you should explore the options and choose what appeals to you.
I am a big advocate for being happy in your work considering you spend a large chunk of your waking hours doing it!

I can't give any first-hand advice about this, but the PBS series Nova has run a periodic series following doctors from their days at Harvard Medical School. One of the participants, Tom Tarter, was (and is) a big, burly, pony-tail wearing, Harley riding former bouncer and weightlifter who entered Harvard Medical School at 31. Despite being such an "outsider", he went on to become a successful emergency care doctor. I remember watching one of the episodes several years ago, and Dr. Tarter really fascinated me. I wish my doctors were as cool and bada- as him.

More information about the series is available at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/doctors-diaries.html

My point is, it's definitely not too late for you. Good luck with your decision!

I just started an accelerated nursing program (after finishing prereq's). In 15 months I'll have a BSN. Then, a job in an ICU. Then, sky is the limit.

If you have a chip on your shoulder, I suggest that being a male nurse is not for you. (even though you will get fast-tracked).

As a current resident MD that went a nontraditional route, my only two pieces of advice would be:

1) Don't do it unless you are 100%, absolutely certain it's the ONLY career for you. As others have mentioned, it's going to take at least 7 years and be a huge emotional, physical and financial hardship. It's rewarding, but really, really difficult. No self pity, but be realistic with what working 80+ hours over nights, weekends, holidays means. You don't just punch a clock, it's a much bigger commitment than any other career I can think of.

2) Don't do it for the money. I know this is a forum about being cash savvy, but there are much easier, more creative ways to make money than being an MD. Even in the health care field you could be a PA, physical therapist, RN, pharmacist and making plenty of cash (often >$100k with a MUCH shorter training and much gentler hours 40-45/week rather than 80+). If you're clever enough to go to medical school, you're clever enough to carve out a niche in any career where you'll be financially rewarded. Medical school will cost at least $200k and during your residency you'll max at $50k despite working 80 hours/week. That's a big swing in your 30s, when most people start socking cash away. Don't get me wrong - docs make good money and many start at $200k or more - but it's not worth the money to work in something so draining unless you love it anyway.

Hope that helps. Good luck making your decision!

ahough said:   No self pity, but be realistic with what working 80+ hours over nights, weekends, holidays means. You don't just punch a clock, it's a much bigger commitment than any other career I can think of.lol plz...all you guys think you're the only ones working "hard."

Whilst the surgeon eagerly waits on his next patient you can see the inspiration, satisfaction, determination and brilliance in his face. The surgeon may seem like a fierce creature on choosing his next instrument to use on the patient, and his discussion on the patients ability to take long strides in his future walk of life. Not only does he predict the patients future lifestyle, he predict's the excellence of his close friends; the instruments. The instruments that the surgeon relys on also rely on the surgeon's future, life, cutting-time and inspiration.

The surgeon MUST take time to gather up his passion towards his instruments:-

"My surgeon often used to present his fine tools before I felt the effect of anesthetic; not only did this calm me down but it was truly visible on how inspired the surgeon is about his job"
"the surgeon was a masterpeice upon all masterpieces in life, such as the Moan Lisa or Snake Charm. The surgeon was similar to a transparent bulb in that you could see the 'guts' of the bulb and get an idea on how it may function, but, you can NEVER predict on when it may fiz.
"I would like to see the day when somebody would be appointed the surgeon somewhere who had no hands, for the operative part is the absolute least part of the work."
"Just the actual physical ability to hold four instruments simultaneously and do some of the things that he was able to do is mind blowing to any surgeon." - The patient is waving. Fantastic.
"I met the surgeon - he offered me a cigarette."
"Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better. "

Fantastic. The surgeon raised an eyebrow
Fantastic. The surgeon raised an eyebrow
Fantastic. The surgeon raised an eyebrow
Fantastic. The surgeon raised an eyebrow
(the patient offered the surgeon for a cup of coffee) - excellent

I had a friend who was 29 years old, embark on the medical school and is now a successful general practional. He had his engineering degree from G Tech and worked as an engineer for the big 3 for few years before he made his mind.

You need an outstanding achievement from a reputable College with an impressive MCAT score to be considered for Medical School. Having Non-science major and claiming to be smart (I am sure you are) to be in is oxymoron. 4.0GPA from B.Com does not translate to 4.0GPA in B.Sc and Engineering. Make sure you consider the above before dumping your career for a change.

DPT (I think this is what you want) on the other hand, is very do-able. Doesn't require much strength in academics and there are plenty of schools in the US with more enrollment space compared to the number of applicants

One of my colleague (along with MANY OTHERS) is now 44 and went to school with me when he was 35. You are definitely not late in the game.

GL.

Summary:
1. Your salary, not so bad
2. Saving, very low
3. Cost of going to Med School, very high. Require loan
4. Going to Med school means that you won't be able to spend much time with your family (80 hours a week +). Worst than your current job? hell yea.
Length = 8-9 years (if you want to be a specialist). Sometimes, you'll be treated like crap
5. Smart is not good enough if you're going to a top med school. Gotta be smart smart and hard working. Otherwise, pick a regular med school.
6. You need 1 year of science courses and you gotta do well or you won't get in.

I say if you're committed, take part time science course first. Then go and take your MCAT and decide later. I have a lot of friends who change their mind, not because they are not smart enough. All from a top 3 school with excellent grades.

One of the biggest reasons for being a doctor is to date hot chicks. Since you are already married, it is pointless now... Just joking. Going back to med school would give a huge burden to your family because your wife is not a big earner, and it will put pressure to your marriage... It maybe too late for going to med school...

Good days in Medicine are Behind per my Doctor friend.

quicky said:   Good days in Medicine are Behind per my Doctor friend.

your friend is a proctologist?

I am a second year resident. 28 years old.

I recommend that you do NOT go to med school. Its just not worth it. only do it if you REALLY love medicine and couldn't be happier doing ANYTHING else.

if you go to med school, you are a full time student (that really isnt that bad, but you incur debt), then an indentured servant for 3-5 years. or longer if you sub-specialize. then an uphill battle your whole life, making less each year, while you work longer hours. and you watch all your other friends have fun/build savings the entire time. DONT DO IT.

cga said:   GADOM said:   cga said:   bytem3 said:   cga said:   I'd rather have the rudest most obnoxious surgeon open me up than a polite and courteous, but less skilled and experienced surgeon cut me open.
You would not be the norm. Everyone says that they want the most skilled person. But in reality, most patients prefer (and are less likely to sue) someone with better bedside manner, even if they are otherwise average (or not even). Some patients will leave the care of a highly-skilled physician for many reasons, including they don't get the options/answer they want or they don't like their bedside manner. There have been several publications about this (NEJM comes to mind). ...
I've had occasion to choose between surgeons, both for myself and for others, and have always looked into who's the best very carefully. Sometimes nurses give the best advice along those lines because they have nothing to gain or lose by expressing an opinion. I would almost invariably wind up choosing the least friendly surgeon, the one least willing to communicate---the type of person I would least want to have a beer with, but who is so busy and so well known and respected among his peers for his skill and experience---that he no longer has to prove anything to anyone. But I agree and understand that I'm in the minority on this. However, I don't think that makes me wrong. At least not in this case.

I can tell you from evaluating risk management cases I see far more issues with the obnoxious/ arrogant doctors exactly because they are obnoxious and arrogant (the nurse is afraid to bring up an issue, the patient is afraid to reveal an important symptom because he shuts them down or discounts them ("where did you go to medical school"), they fail to participate in patient safety/QA activities) they are more prone to make a mistake and less prone to seek help to get out of a theraputic misadventure. All of which leads to increased risk of true harm to you as the patient.

The good news is we almost always settle those cases because those doctors make awful defendants on the stand.Well, I guess that's the difference between a rude, obnoxious, skilled surgeon and a rude, obnoxious, skilled and stupid surgeon. I've never had the misfortune of being forced to deal with the stupid version.

I would say, respectfully, that unless you have access to the kind of data I do like 30 and 100 day mortality rates, post-op infection rates, 30 day readmission rates etc you would not really be able to tell which type you had dealt with.