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from Peter Friday, January 30, 2004 - 13:22 (Agree/Disagree?) I haven't "been there or done that" but there are many physicians and healthcare professionals in my family. Several of them started school in their late 20s and early 30s and some of them started when they had very young children. Many schools have programs to advise and assist what they sometimes call "non-traditional students." Don't let anyone convice you that you are "too old" to start medical school. You may find this page helpful. http://www.cs.umbc.edu/~mikeg/medschool.html (reply to this comment)

from merrily Friday, January 30, 2004 - 10:09 (Agree/Disagree?) I was watching Trama Life in the ER. Last year and the head surgon did not start med school til he was forty, and before that he laid concrete. So I don't think for a minute you're too old. I say go for it but remember you can make just as much money and work way less hours if you did choose another career. You would probably work at least sixty hours a week and interming..you may forget what your kids look like. (reply to this comment)

From Joe H Friday, January 30, 2004, 13:02

from Christy Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 23:28 (Agree/Disagree?) While age is a factor, people do go back to school at practically any age in order to pursue a career change or upgrade. Just realize that if you're right at the beginning, you'll probably be in school from now until you're about 40! Have you already taken the MCAT's, or whatever the test is, to see if you have the aptitude and background knowledge to make it through such a challenging education track? Have you already completed the pre-med program? Good luck! (reply to this comment)

from Alf Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 22:37 (Agree/Disagree?) You're too late to become a surgeon. (reply to this comment)

from Bella Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 19:40 (Agree/Disagree?) I don't think it is too late for you to become a physician at all! Don't even listen to what all those skeptics have to say! People will say anything to discourage you from attaining your dream. If you want to be a physician, then go for it! Of course it will be damn hard, but it seems that you are already aware of that. JMO. Good luck to you! (reply to this comment)

from neez Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 19:13 (Agree/Disagree?) Perhaps you could 'bite off more then you can chew' in some other field. (rocket science maybe?) Hopefully somewhere you wont be putting ppls health at risk just because you reckon you've still got what it takes. I mean.. if I was going under the knife, I would sure hope that my surgeon hadn't just started the job not long ago because of some mid-life crisis. Would you? Hopefully there are hundreds of rules & regulations to prevent this from ever happening. (reply to this comment)

From Jerseygirl Thursday, January 29, 2004, 19:23 (Agree/Disagree?) That's really mean Neez. Behave yourself.(reply to this comment)

From neez Thursday, January 29, 2004, 22:01 (Agree/Disagree?) Once again Jerseygirl your right. It was mean, but my point still stands. I would prefer my surgeon to have fully completed the 10+ yrs of training that it takes to become one. Maybe I'm wrong & you're already half way there, but it doesn't sound like it. All I'm saying is.. I think you're goals are fine, as long as you actually have some sort of chance of achieving them in this lifetime. For example I have just recently given up on my dream of becoming the Mayor of Florida. But I get that.. & having noone disagree with me for so long is just weird 'n creepy. Anyways, she "doesn't give a rat's ass" & will most likely ignore everything I just wrote.(reply to this comment)

From Holon Friday, January 30, 2004, 07:43 (Agree/Disagree?) neez, Spring is right there is no Mayor of Florida here.You could become the mayor of a city here but not the state. Anyhow dont worry about being in the OR with a surgen with no experance. After you finnish med school you have to complete your residancy and all that before your done.(reply to this comment)

From neez Friday, January 30, 2004, 18:13 (Agree/Disagree?) lol.. yeah it was one of them shmucks. Is that why that american guy kept laughing at me. But if a governer can turn into a governator, I spose anythings possible over there. :P & if you're ok with being a 50yr old surgeon, then you wont listen to those retired doctors(or young punks) telling you otherwise. I just don't get it. When I need I drastic pick-me-up, I'll just take a holiday or something..(reply to this comment)

From Joe H Friday, January 30, 2004, 13:02 (Agree/Disagree?) Did the cult ruin your ability to discern sarcasm or are you just Canadian? (reply to this comment)

From roughneck Friday, January 30, 2004, 14:44 (Agree/Disagree?) Thanks for the lefthanded compliment Joe. :) Sarcasm is, after all the lowest form of wit, and of course it's well known that We Canadians don't stoop as low as You Yanks :-P Thanks again!(reply to this comment)

From Jerseygirl Friday, January 30, 2004, 14:51 (Agree/Disagree?) Amen Roughneck--go us!! Altho I really have to say that I think sarcasm is actually highly witty because it usually takes some intelligence to come up with. And that is my NOT humble opinion.(reply to this comment)

From Spring Friday, January 30, 2004, 13:33 (Agree/Disagree?) Did the cult ruin YOUR ability to discern sarcasm? I had something to say and I said it (knowing full well that you or somebody like you would give me a hard time for it). Why is it always necessary to make it personal with you? People get tired of making legitimate posts when they always have to defend themselves from other people's versions of sarcasm.(reply to this comment)

From Jerseygirl Friday, January 30, 2004, 14:47 (Agree/Disagree?) Dont pay too much attention to Joe and his tiring rants. Every so often he blows off a little steam by blaming Canadians or lashing out at newbies. It's usually due to the fact that A) he hasn't gotten laid in awhile or B) he's laid too many mediocre looking sluts. He deserves our pity not our anger. After all if you read his articles you will soon see that he is just a silly little boy screaming out for people to call and tell him that they love him.(reply to this comment)

From Joe H Friday, January 30, 2004, 19:29 (Agree/Disagree?) Uh yeah, so how come you never call? (reply to this comment)

From Spring Friday, January 30, 2004, 17:22 (Agree/Disagree?) You're right, Jerseygirl - I shouldn't let him get to me. Txs for putting it in perspective. :)(reply to this comment)

From Spring Friday, January 30, 2004, 00:20 (Agree/Disagree?) Becoming the mayor of Florida was quite a goal! I doubt you would have ever achieved it because Florida doesn't have a mayor - they have a governor. Good thing you gave up on that one. If Holon makes it to being a surgeon it's unlikely that she would ever be allowed to do surgery (except in an assisting role) until she had completed the mandatory years of residency, etc. - so I don't think you or anybody else have anything to worry about. I think Holon should be congratulated for having the guts to seriously consider a major career change at a time in her life when most of the rest of us are aiming for a little stability. Who's to say she's too old? You can do anything if you really put your mind to it (providing you have at least a little aptitude to start with). :) (reply to this comment)

From Holon Friday, January 30, 2004, 07:26 (Agree/Disagree?) Thank you Spring , Your so sweet.I started school last summer to become an MA and I have just fallen in love with all of it, and the thing is I really do think I would be good at it. And I dont want to spend the next 30 years of my life just wishing I had tried. (reply to this comment)

From chic Monday, March 21, 2005, 00:59 (Agree/Disagree?) Good on ya Holon! I'm a critical care nurse and we need quality people in the medical field. Hope you do well! Maybe you can set some people straight on these health issues that come up on the site every now and then too. Find it a bit amusing(reply to this comment)