Should I go to med school?
I graduated from college in 2023 (I’m almost 25). My original goal was to go to medical school. I started to study for the MCAT my junior year, but I was also doing a summer research program and couldn’t follow my strict study schedule. I also shadowed one foot and ankle surgeon and I felt like I heard more about his vacations and him playing video games on his peloton. I then postponed my goals. I have the grades and the coursework necessary. I also am a pretty determined student.
I have worked as a CNA since high school and have always loved patient care. I also worked in pharmaceuticals and biotech, which I didn’t like because I wanted to get back to working with patients. I eventually started working as a behavior technician with kids with autism and now a behavioral health technician at a psychiatric hospital. I just have always felt drawn to healthcare. I’m even taking nursing classes at a community college, but that isn’t calling my name.
I have been researching therapy, nursing, and even going to PA school. I would do therapy, but I would be drowning in debt with a low paying job. And if I do nurse or PA, I feel like medical school will always be in the back of my head.
Some of my hesitations I have around being a doctor are writing scripts all day long, which is what it looks like on the outside when working at the psych hospital, and lacking connections with patients because the high patient load and shorter time at the bedside. I do enjoy problem solving, and I would love the challenge of helping people with complex medical histories.
Overall I just want to feel connected with the people I work with, feel challenged in my day to day job. I don’t want to just write scripts.
Any advice would be so helpful. I feel like I’m having analysis paralysis.