Dilemma... is medicine worth it? and is part time training possible after fy2?

[elyon]

Long story i've got into medical school and i'm having 2nd thoughts. I'm not 100% sure medicine is worth it. Long hours etc v family
I'm a specialist ahp (prosthetist/orthotist - artificial limbs and orthopaedic braces/splints). I love my profession, my patients are the best! but my job is not so good (changes of boss and agenda for change...) Its a very very small field: 1 dept - 1 region, so promotion = moving. My husband is not for moving!!! I even took him around the world and still didn't manage to convince him to move... So he talked me into becoming a doctor. I see the logic 100% once you get through the training it is a really flexible career in so many ways, plus the option of progression without having to relocate each time. I'm just concerned the first 7/10yrs training are not so flexible. We'd be looking to have kids in the next 10yrs.

Q) Are there options to work part time for the speciality training years following FY2.
Q) Is part time working easily available or only an option in larger hospitals.
Q) Will part time working affect career opportunities - not looking commited...

I would be suited to GPwSI in orthopaedics, paediatrics, neurology - or these specialities themselves.

Dilemma no.2 a great job has come up in my field, Head of Service really fab job so many possiblities - i've got a good chance of getting it, it's just a far: away and my husband wont consider moving....

Am i being chicken - fear of the unknown or are my concerns reasonable.

What should i do?

[James]

- You can work part time throughout your training including F1. But bear in mind that you double the length of training for every year you do part time
- Part time is fairly available, although you will need a reason eg. kids. You can't just go part time because you 'feel like it'. Some specialties are more 'part-time friendly' such as Paeds, Anaesthetics & GP; I really wouldn't bother trying to do it for Ortho or Neuro.
- Chances are you will have to move around the country a fair bit with medicine, and even within a deanery you will still rotate around a fairly large geographical area.

Whether you want to go to med school or not is your decision and only you can make it.

[belis]

Firstly there is no guarantee that you will get into medical school near home. Then there is a possibility that you will have to move for your f1 job if you don't get your first choice of denary etc etc Medicine involves moving around, at least at the initial stages in your career.

If you enjoy your job and have an opportunity of promotion and progression I think it would be easier to stick to it and relocate once. Medical route may mean that you will have to relocate a couple of times before you can settle into specialist training and consultancy.

In the end of the day it is your decision to make after looking on all the pros and cons.

[simran]

If you love the sound of the new job that has come up, then go for it. Maybe he can work from home, or maybe you can live halfway between your work places and commute?