How long would it take me to become a doctor realisticly?

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SaltyNuts

Platinum Member
May 1, 2001
2,398
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126
Thanks Cappuccino, I appreciate the straight, honest talk. But no, I don't want to be a surgeon or anything. Just a regular doctor that can write prescriptions. Is that about an 8-year thing?

I'm not worried about needing As in certain sciences or maths or what not. I blew through undergrad in 3 years with a 4.0, and what I'm doing now is far, far more intellectually complex than anything they could serve me up in med school. Just wondering about the time commitment. Also, no wife or kids, and financially secure, so I could devote 100% of my time to studying, without any stress on the side.

Many thanks!
 
Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
SaltyNuts said:
Thanks Cappuccino, I appreciate the straight, honest talk. But no, I don't want to be a surgeon or anything. Just a regular doctor that can write prescriptions. Is that about an 8-year thing?

I'm not worried about needing As in certain sciences or maths or what not. I blew through undergrad in 3 years with a 4.0, and what I'm doing now is far, far more intellectually complex than anything they could serve me up in med school. Just wondering about the time commitment. Also, no wife or kids, and financially secure, so I could devote 100% of my time to studying, without any stress on the side.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

Hilarious, retard!
 
Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Darwin333 said:
Since you aren't "wickedly smart" enough to do a simple google search which would have given you the exact answer you are looking for, I'd say a really freaking long time. Hell I will take 10:1 odds that you don't make it through internship and that's if you even make it through medical school.
Click to expand...

He wouldn't even pass his first prerequisite intro science class.
 
Cappuccino

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
4,018
726
126
I honestly think Pharmacy is the best option for you. Do you want to become a doctor because you want to write prescriptions? Then I highly suggest pursuing a career in pharmacy. Again once you graduated you have to do another 4-year course and you MUST pass that first and then you can dish out the prescription to your patients. You can land Pharmacist job after graduation for sure but if you want to do what you mentioned above then you have to do that course no matter what! Most certainly 10+ years altogether, I am pretty sure about that. I am 90% sure its the same in the US.

Do you know it takes 2 years to get your A levels? What qualifications do you have?

Honestly, you said you are financially secure and you are 42 years old for goodness sake why study now???? I personally never touch academic work again believe me it's not good stressing your brain on work when your life is good already. Especially in the medical field. You need to study 24/7 because its =medicine= and not your typical scooby doo degree. Nowadays all the crap degrees people do you can just google the answers and find all the answers online but in the medical field, you pretyy much screwed because 90% of your work is independent research and I am not talking about google research lol. It's not easy I promise you that no matter how smart you are medcine is not something you can fly through.

Typed on iPhone
 
Perknose

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,749
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SaltyNuts said:
I blew through undergrad in 3 years with a 4.0, and what I'm doing now is far, far more intellectually complex than anything they could serve me up in med school.
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What exactly is your "intellectually complex" job now? And what level of literacy does it involve?
 
Perknose

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,749
10,315
146
Cappuccino said:
I always wanted to ask, is that you on your DP? You look like Santa :p
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Yup. I know who's naughty and who's nice. That's what got me this sweet, high-paying mod job. The sateen hall monitor sash we get is pure gravy!
 
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Perknose

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,749
10,315
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highland145 said:
Yo, @Perknose , I think I need a name change. Enlighten me.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking "lowland146." Sure, it has an unfortunate gorilla reference, but in (and at) the end, it's literally one up on your old moniker.

western_lowland_gorilla3.jpg


^^^ If this guy calls you about your overdue debt, you pay up, plain and simple. :eek:
 
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pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,965
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SaltyNuts said:
Just been doing what I've been doing for basically 18 years. Tired and bored with it. I hate it when I'm slow at work, but hate doing the work. Its a lose-lose.

What, and in particular, how much time would it take, for me to become a doctor? I have an undergrad in finance. Would I have to get some other degree with extra sciences to go to med school? How long is med school? And then after med school don't I have to do some fellowship or intern or some crap where you don't make real money for a few years?

And mind you, I'm wicked smart - I breezed through undergrad at the University of Texas in 3 years with a perfect 4.0. No one does that except me. So I certainly wouldn't need "extra time" to get through school. Just trying to figure out what all it takes.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
School is much more difficult north of the Mason Dixon line.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,852
13,421
126
www.anyf.ca
The issue is not how long it takes, the issue is how do you pay all your bills if you go back to school. That would entail quitting your job. You can't exactly learn how to be a doctor by taking an online CBT course lol.
 
John Connor

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
618
121
I have a surgeon's kit and it came with all the usual stuff including sutures. I need to buy the suture practice kit on eBay so I can stitch a wound if I have to. Great for in the wild. I believe the knot is like a boolean knot.
 
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preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
magomago said:
Bullshit. Sorry dude - getting through med school is about persistence and drive, and of course, some brains.

Edit:

2-3 Years on all prerequisites required for med school
4 Years for Med School
1 Year just-in-case you miss a cycle or need time to prepare for MCATS
====================================================
8 Years assuming you go Full Time Study.

To me, that is it. The years are a resident may suck, but at that point you are just paying your dues.
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Sorry, AGE is huge.

A good friend, who was the best PA in our teaching ED for almost 20 years decided she'd rather be a doc.She was so good she was considered heads above the other PAs, treated equivalent to 3rd yr ED resident.

She was admitted to a med school at age 45. Upon time for matching for residency programs, our own program turned her down because of a preference for younger new docs, same as most other programs..

She was accepted at only ONE program. Upon completing residency, she was offering an attending ED job at only 2 hospitals in the northeast.

BTW, she passed her boards with flying colors.
 
T

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
I don't know why I'm responding to a troll thread but...

2 year post bac
4 year med school
1 year internship and you could technically practice (but would be significantly limited in opportunities)
2 years of residency, minimum, after internship (most programs have internship built into a 3 year program).

So realistically 9.

With the significant expense of medical school and years without income, it doesn't make financial sense. If it's your calling and you're willing to put off retirement for quite some time, go for it.
 
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