Medicine and children?

**lilbo6** · 20-04-2007, 03:52 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm looking in to applying for grad entry medicine 2008. I'm 22 and will be 24 when I start the course (if I get in first time which I hear is not likely). I would like to have children at some point, as does my partner, and I wanted to know if you can take time out of a career in medicine to do this.

Is there the opportunity to take a year out between completing the course and beginning the foundation years? If you do this are you less likely to get a foundation job? Can you do the foundation years part time or is it full time only? Following the foundation years what is the situation with training in your speciality ie. can you do this part time or is it full time only?

Sorry for all the questions but any advice would be great....I would really like to know if and when in a medical career it is possible to take time out to have children and if flexible working is available so that you can actually spend time with them!!

Thanks in advance

**squeeze** · 20-04-2007, 05:05 PM

To be honest, I have not heard of any university offering medicine on a part time basis. it will adviseable to contact any of your university of choice for first hand information.
We all know that medicine is a demanding course; everything depends on your strong will and the support u get from the people around you. I will strongly advise you to finish your course be4 raising children bcos raising a family too is quite demanding.
On the other hand, have your children first before settling down to studying medicine provided your family will give you necessary support. Give it a serious thot, doing both together could be daunting.
GOOD LUCK.

Originally Posted by lilbo6

Hi everyone,

I'm looking in to applying for grad entry medicine 2008. I'm 22 and will be 24 when I start the course (if I get in first time which I hear is not likely). I would like to have children at some point, as does my partner, and I wanted to know if you can take time out of a career in medicine to do this.

Is there the opportunity to take a year out between completing the course and beginning the foundation years? If you do this are you less likely to get a foundation job? Can you do the foundation years part time or is it full time only? Following the foundation years what is the situation with training in your speciality ie. can you do this part time or is it full time only?

Sorry for all the questions but any advice would be great....I would really like to know if and when in a medical career it is possible to take time out to have children and if flexible working is available so that you can actually spend time with them!!

Thanks in advance

**Gizmo says -** · 20-04-2007, 05:12 PM

some raise kids and study at the same time, a few are on this forum.

wiffout a doubt, raising children properly is task of many magnitudes greater than the realtively much easier task of sitting in librarties passing medical skool exams, so mek sure you are ready for this difference, i reckon.

also try watching 'Vital Signs' wif Rohda Bradley (the Tammer)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0757126/usercomments

**Gizmo says -** · 20-04-2007, 05:13 PM

'Rhoda Bradley is a supermarket worker married to Tony, a mechanic, and they have three kids.

The main focus of the series is Rhoda, who realises that she wants more from life than to work in a supermarket where her knowledge and experience isn't appreciated and younger, prettier women are promoted over her.

Through a trip to hospital with her daughter Lexie, a chat with medical student Rob and a clash with the prickly Dr Lindsay, she realises that medicine is her calling. The story initially deals with her struggles to get into and then stay in medical school, but also the jealousy of her sister Maddy(who is a nurse).

Tony's reluctant acceptance of Rhoda's plans gives way to misgivings. Reacting to Rhoda kissing one of her fellow students, he sleeps with her best friend Jules who later announces that she is pregnant just as Tony has decided to back Rhoda. Is the baby his, or Jules's husband's? At the time of writing this, it's unknown whether the series will return which is a great shame as there are some fine performances not just from Rhoda's family but her bunch of eccentric student friends all struggling to change their lives....not forgetting the great, acerbic Dr Lindsay. It has potential.

Is Tony the father of Jules's baby? Is Maddy about to have an affair with Dr Lindsay? Will Jason marry his sweetheart? Will Rhoda ever stock the fridge again? We may never know. ...'

**lilbo6** · 20-04-2007, 06:14 PM

Thanks for your replies.........not sure if my original post was clear........I wouldn't want to start a family and study medicine I would want to complete the course first I just didn't know when after completing the course you could take time out to start a family due to the continuous learning medicine demands. So much to do....so little time!!