Hello everybody.
To start, I am a 30 year old male currently on the 2nd year of a Human Physiology course in Portsmouth. While I am averaging a First on my marks, I am starting to think about post-graduate study; I have a few choices but the main two are the Physician Associate and Graduate Entry Medicine at St George's and Kings respectively.
Since a young age I have wanted to become a doctor, but recently I have thought that perhaps I am just not cut out for the position thus far and so looking for a clinical role that comes close to being a doctor; I am aware of the stigma that Junior Doctors give PAs but I am a person who would rather work up through experience as opposed to just solid education.
My difficulty is this; I am 30 and do not want to waste any more time, I love the thought of becoming a fully registered doctor but I cannot afford the £3,645 (after bursary) per annum for 4 years on the Graduate MBBS. On the other hand, I like the thought of being in a supportive role for doctors and working as a team.
Obviously with being a doctor you can further your career and specialise e.g. cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology etc; can you specialise as a PA? Let's be frank, I want to be one of the above 3 specialists eventually, can I do this as a PA and do part-time / distance learning courses?
I am really stuck in the middle of these two choices; I would also like to do the Space Physiology at King's as one fields I enjoy is the human body in extreme environments.
I hope I can count on some good quality advice from those who are in the same boat or those from both sides who have done it and perhaps share their experiences.
Many thanks.