Midwifery to medicine

[Izziebella]

Hi,

I graduate as a midwife this year and should get a 1st or possibly a 2.1.
I have been pondering medicine since my second year and with qualification coming up soon I am becoming more convinced I would like to pursue medicine.

I can't say I did great in my GCSE's B's and C's and Alevels BBC (Economics, business, sociology) but I sort of drifted through most of my education without much clear purpose and never thought I would get to go to uni as no one else in my family did. Since doing this course I feel for the 1st time that i've been focused about my education and have since started performing well.

I do enjoy midwifery but it leaves me feeling frustrated about wanting to do something more I hope I don't get shot for this but to be honest I don't find midwifery particularly stimulating (although it is plently challenging for other reasons such as staff shortages which run through the whole NHS)

So some questions I guess:
Do I need some science a levels to apply
Is 27 a bit old for beginning medicine
How can I strengthen my application that I understand what a doctor does beyond midwifery
Do you think midwifery would be accepted in the same way nursing would
I really want to stay in London so I know this restricts my application base, is it harder to get a London medical school.
Do you think it would be worth approaching the uni I am doing midwifery at in London as it offers 4 + 5 year medicine.
Do you have to be a complete brain box to do medicine. I am not super super brainy.

Furthermore a couple of questions about what would happen if I were to get a medical degree
How likely would I be to get obs and gynae spec training (i'm not sure I would really pursue medicine if I have a really slim chance)
Can you do spec training part time (by that time I hope I might have some kids) would this make speciality training more difficult to get.
What do staff grade posts involve? I don't think I would mind doing one of these I am not necessarily seeking to get a consultant post in the worlds best hosp.

What should I be considering at present
Thanks for your help

[giella]

27 is not too old.
You would want a year's postgrad experience at least. This allows you to work with doctors, and develop your own skills as well.
Work on other interests as well. Make yourself a great allrounder.
London might be a little restrictive. You would probably have to apply to the courses with premed as you don't have chem anywhere in there. Either that, or do chem as a night course. You might get away with doing it at AS only. Remember London medical schools are really oversubscribed as it is, so perhaps have a backup in there somewhere.
You wouldn't have to worry about spec-training for a long time yet, so don't worry. However, your nursing experience would be excellent CV fodder.
Remember, nursing and midwifery are taught and practised largely as a set of protocols that the practitioner is meant to follow. Whilst some of the key skills [compassion, communications etc] are very much the same in medicine, you are infused with a bank of knowledge, [to which you are constantly adding] which you are required to apply in any situation, not just those within your comfort zone/area. Medical school will be about teaching you a new set of competencies. I know nursing requires biological knowledge etc. as well, and as you're on course for a 2.1/1.1, I know you're able to cope with accumulating knowledge, so that's good. Don't be intimidated by medical school. There's some right idiots who turn into perfectly competent doctors, whilst still remaining idiots. They're not brainboxes.
Ironically, I was going to write an uncharacteristically short post, but I just don't have it in me. I hope I helped though.

[tidal]

Hi Izziebella

OMG, that could be my post!! I am graduating this year as a midwife in London and have wanted to med since the beginning of 2nd year!! How bizarre!! I also feel frustrated!! I am planning to apply to GEP courses in maybe 2-3 years. I need to do chem, hopefully with OU.
PM me if you want to chat

Tidal
xx

[Soul and Onward]

You could apply to St George's GEP, you'll be eligible if you get a 2.2+ and you won't need to take any A-levels. You will need to do the GAMSAT however, which requires your Chemistry/Biology/Physics to be up to a-level standard at least. It's a nasty exam (five and a half hours) and tests all kinds of things, but it'll much easier (and cheaper) than taking a-levels from scratch. This year they interviewed those who scored in the top 40%, I think.

You'll also need work experience, although if you practice as a midwife for a period before applying you should be okay.

[priscilla.peart]

Hey, Im a second year nurse looking to do the same thing. AS you are in university at the min, make the most of it to enhance your personal statement- get involved in the SU to give you good extra curricular activities (if you don't have many at the min). Try working as on a bank as a health care assistant (auxilliary nurse) for the extra experience of the hospital.
Newcastle don't ask for A levels for the GEP (4year) I know its not exactly close to london but the northern deanery has good job oppurtunities at the end.
Where ever you decide to go, apply and try, its all any of us can do
Good luck