She is 29 years old .....and just now wants to start college ( just got her GED) .....is that even possible? How old would she be by the time she made if, if so? And if it's not realistic what would be faster for her to accomplish and work in the medical field? Thank you!
2007-01-27 06:18:49 · 16 answers · asked by ♥ღ TravelGirl ღ♥ 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
She wants to be an ER DR ....oh I meant my cousin.....1 cousin not 2 with the s at the end..:)
2007-01-27 06:19:32 · update #1
I'm very proud that she wants this but she keeps asking me if it's possible and so i decided to ask you all. thanks for all your opinions
2007-01-27 13:16:14 · update #2
Why do you even care, let her do whatever she wants to do
2007-01-27 06:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The main problem is that it's hard to get into a residency program when you're older. They consider, among other things, the years the applicant has left to contribute to society. A more likely career would be as a Physician's Assistant (P.A.) degree. PA's can see patients independently, prescribe, and do much of what a doctor does, and the pay is good. They do have a supervisory doctor, but not one that is with them at all times or has to approve everything they do.
There are PA schools around the country. Maybe she'd be interested in checking into it, And if she is determined to become an MD, why not go ahead and try? After all, if it takes 10 or more years (and it will) ... how old will she be in 10 years if she DOESN'T try? I'm guessing the same age.
For whoever is handing out thumbs down -- did you know they are for bad answers, not because you don't like the answer? I'm sorry it's hard to get into a residency program when you're over age 30. I didn't create the prejudice of the program directors. She should go for it if she wants! It just might be hard to do at her age. Still, if it's her dream, there's no reason she shouldn't do it. She should know ahead of time, however, that there may be obstacles. It also depends on the residency program she tries to get into after medical school ... some are easier to get into than others. There is a LOT of competition! Apparently, many people don't know how hard it is to get into a residency program after medical school. They think you can just pick and choose, but that's far from the reality of getting accepted! She deserves to have all the facts before she makes her decision.
2007-01-27 06:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure it can be done, but it will take a long time. She'd have to get an undergrad degree first and that will take at least four years. To get into med school, she would have to take the MCAT, which is an entrance exam that indicates a student's estimated performance. To get into med school, a student needs to perform well on the MCAT, but also schools look at a student's college and high school transcript. I don't know if a med school would accept someone with a GED because schools are highly competitive.
Another option for her might be to go into nursing school. I know a lot of hospitals are experiencing shortages in the ER and are offering huge bonuses to sign on. Nursing school won't take as long as getting into and completing med school, and it could be an easier route for her.
I would suggest having her visit a local college campus and arrange to meet an advisor in the school. The advisor can look over her transcript and give her the best advice. Tell her good luck!
2007-01-27 06:28:25 · answer #3 · answered by shesaidpaul@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To find out how long it might take for her to become a doctor, you would have to speak with advisers at some universities that have a school of medicine.
They could probably give you and her a rough idea as to how long it takes to actually become a doctor (school years, residency, etc.).
I would say it is not impossible if she is willing to work hard and dedicate the time and effort to her studies. Also, it has to be something she really wants to do.
She could learn about other medical fields through a university's career planning and placement office and through their school of medicine. Likewise, your local library may have some reference material about different types of medical fields.
However, if your cousin is really serious about being a doctor, encourage her and be supportive because it is not impossible or too late. Be her biggest cheerleader when she gets frustrated, and encourage her to be the doctor she wants to be, if that is what she really wants.
She may even be able to find out if there are other doctors who started school later in life. If there are, she can be encouraged by their success. If there are not, then she could be the first to encourage others with her success story when she becomes a doctor.
I wish her well.
2007-01-27 06:43:23 · answer #4 · answered by Seldom Seen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not uncommon. I think it has to do with women typically entering the work force after the children are in school. With humans living longer and longer, the need for a second career is now common as well.
If she just got her GED and she's got no college experience, then she should go to a community college and get straight A's in math and science courses. She should do this for 2 years. Then she should apply to a university that has a good solid medical school and get great grades there.
While she is in community college, she should get a job in the field to get her more familiar with the language and the setting. There's a great need for emergency room admissions' clerks. Sometimes it's quiet enough to study. This would expose her to the emergency room and to the doctors and nurses who can advise her as she studies.
2007-01-27 06:29:08 · answer #5 · answered by hawkthree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she as the ability... and dedication anything is possible.
Some alternatives would be RN / Medic, (might be a good place to start and if the Medic/RN program was easy enough she could continue to MD.
If she has been out of school that long and just got a GED.
I would strongly recommend getting a EMT/ Medic first...
Plus for an ER doctor, Medic work is a big help.
2007-01-27 06:24:47 · answer #6 · answered by bmore 1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was watching Untold Stories of the ER on T.V. - One of the doctors said when she was young she dropped out of school, but went back to school and became a Dr. If she got into medical school and became a Dr, I don't see why your cousin couldn't. If I remember right the Dr on the ER said she took the gen equiv exam. I was surprised, and amazed. Contact different medical programs. There are entrance exams she should take. She will need math and biology classes, etc.
2007-01-27 17:17:20 · answer #7 · answered by bobbie e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The course will take 12 years. It is never too late to start. There are so many prerequisites that your cousin may choose to change course as she learns. I say go full speed ahead, the time to learn is when a person wants to learn. I see more people learning things that they think they could never learn just because the place they are in at the moment is right. Being open for opportunity is the most important thing one can do.
2007-01-27 06:27:46 · answer #8 · answered by whatevit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Become an ER nurse in 4-5 years get paid a lot with favorable hours and not have the debt of as much schooling
2007-01-27 06:27:29 · answer #9 · answered by Hawkeye77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well four years of college...but she can do it in 3 maybe even two and a half if she takes a lot of classes and does summer school. 4 years of med school and then 2 years to specialize and then residency...I would say she would be 39 and in a lot of debt but if that's what she loves then she needs to do it.
2007-01-27 06:24:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm she'd have to go to 4 years of regular college and then med school which is atleast a few more years so she'd be nearing 40 by the time she could, but it's possible. she could always be a dentist, nurse, nurse/doctor assistant with less school
2007-01-27 06:22:52 · answer #11 · answered by Sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋