Hello- from someone considering medical school

Hi! As a closet pre-med myself , let me welcome you to the group. I won't be considering an application to med school until my three children are in school and are quite a bit older...it is a decision that fits the best for our family...... We have agreed to reevaluate the situation in 5 years and see where we are at.



That being said, I have survived the rigors of my husbands training and know what is in store.....I think that I would end up choosing a 5 year program and a less rigorous residency (ie not surgery!). Med School and Residency are stressful times, but I think that you will learn from each person here that it is possible to survive with your relationship not only intact...but perhaps even stronger for having gone through it.



I think what I remember most about the moves, waits, stresses and strains is that it was a great adventure!



So.....welcome, and I look forward to getting to know you. I'd love to hear where you are at in terms of your pre-med program....



Kris

Hi all:



I'm actually on "the other side of the fence" in that I am considering medical school. However, I'm trying to decide what sort of effect it will REALLY have on my life and the life of my husband. It kind of seems like the ideal doesn't necessarily add up to what actually happens! I'm a little concerned about the effects of the intense training, moving frequently, effect on husband and prospective future children, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Hence my nickname curious!



Hope this is OK... if not appropriate to post here let me know!



Thanks

Welcome to the group Curious64! My fiance is attending medical school right now as a 4th year student. Everyone here is really nice!



I look forward to getting to know you!



- Rachel

[Meenah]

Welcome,

This is a great place to find support, suggestions, or to just vent. My husband is in private practice, I am a nurse. The medical profession is oh so unique.

Luanne

Hello all:



Thanks for the warm welcome! Kris, I think we may have connected before. I was actually accepted to medical school (across the country) and had planned on deferring so my husband and I could relocate together. It was denied, unfortunately. So we had a couple of weeks to make plans when we thought we had a year!!



I decided not to go. Although it would have been very hard on my husband and I (cross-country seperation, finances, him finding a place to continue his education), we had talked it through and were willing to try it. However, the deciding factor for me was some growing concern I have about the physician profession as a whole. It really made me sit down and calculate the debt I would accrue (private school!), the enormous time constraints it would put on my relationship and with the rest of my family, the dehumanizing process of residency, and when the heck I would have kids if I wanted to and take care of them the way I would like to (I am 27). Not to mention the climate of the current healthcare system! Would I really be the one to have the last word in the patient care, which is why I was initially attracted to becoming a doctor, or is it really the insurance company?



So, a little wiser, back to square one! I am trying to gather as much information as I can about the med school process and the effects it will have on me and my husband. As well as what I realistically will be able to do (and want to do, after years of torture ) after I finish. So I'm trying to get as many perspectives as I can, and this website seems to have plenty of them! I'm also investigating alternate career tracks such as NP or PA.



Thanks again for all your welcomes!

We connected at student doctor, didn't we? We talked about that decision back then....I can't believe that your deferment was denied!! It's tough....I know that I still look back on my own decision at times with remorse, but I feel that I did the right thing.



One thing to consider is that many schools do offer 5 year programs and many moms do take advantage of this...and some residencies allow job sharing. I am not going to consider reapplication until my youngest is in school...by that time there may also have been some residency reform. With more women entering the profession of medicine, there is supposedly a growing trend to become more friendly with residency hours.....we'll see how that develops...



I also considered the PA path, but because my dh is german and we may go back some day it isn't an option. That is a professional program that is currently only recognized here....



Well, we are definately all full of opinions here and you are welcome to chime in anywhere...it's nice to have you here...I look forward to hearing how your own decision-making process unfolds!



Kris

[houseelf]

Curious 64,



Welcome to the boards! We're glad to have you. I'm Kelly, spouse of a second year general surgery resident in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is smart of you to consider the "whole picture" of the medical profession and hopefully you can find a little insight here. Welcome.



Kelly

[DCJenn]

Hello Curious 64-



This is a great place to gain insight into the world of medicine- at least from a semi-outsider's perspective. Hope we can help.



Jenn