This is one of the strongest cases for PA or NP in my opinion. Were I still interested in obstetrics, you bet I'd be in CNM school right now instead of MD.

I have been nothing but highly impressed by ALL the PA's that I have come into contact with. It truly is an excellent career with 100% flexibility to work PT or FT, to have a life, to be able to transition from one specialty to the other, etc. I would suggest that folks look into this career IF they can see themselves doing something else than becoming an MD/DO.

I'll just say: it's pretty ridiculous to blame all of health care's current problems on Obama.

I'm about to apply to med school for 2010, so I can't directly answer the OP's question (is it worth it? Don't know yet!). But I can tell you that I took time off after college, and it was great for me. Being a little older and having worked has made me a better, more mature applicant. I also have a friend who decided to go the NP route, and she LOVES it. She had similar concerns about finishing everything and realizing she hated it.

What I would suggest is trying to shadow some doctors in different fields. This will give you an idea of how much you like the work. Also: don't worry too much. You are young and have plenty of time to figure things out.

They are not blaming Obama for all the current health problems. Rather, they are pointing out the issues with his over-ambitious plan for healthcare.

Exactly! and until you have walked the walk you will have NO clue what those issues are. We are just presenting them to you so that you are aware and make an informed decision.

I will say that I went straight through college-med school-residency- practice, am married to someone who did the same, and I would do it again. I don't think I put my life on hold for this job- I have all the kids I wanted, have traveled and eaten out and just generally enjoyed myself. I figure I have to wowk anyway, may as well be at something I enjoy. Does the current climate of health care reform scare me? You bet. It hasn't run me off yet, though. I always tell people this: Doctors are smart people. Make it hard enough to be successful, or happy, or whatever, and we'll all do just fine in some other field.

4 years into practicing primary care medicine and still think it was the worse decision for me. i wish i knew better and had a physician mentor who advised me of the realities of actually practicing medicine vs studying/training to become one. i had a blast in medical school and residency. the real world of practicing medicine sucks. my husband is a specialist and he is happy so i can't figure out if male doctors are happier than female doctors or specialists are happier than primary care doctors.

Wow-tough one. I went straight through and wish I had taken at least one year off. I also wish i had done a dual degree to have more options now. Primary care is 'ok' but I can't see myself doing it forever. It does burn you out. I don't know if I could have detached myself from the 'status' thing of the MD to be a PA but I agree it is an attractive option for many reasons.

JLA-sorry you are so miserable. Have you thought about changing what you do? I hear you about the debt-it's the ;gilded cage'-you come out highly trained, but only for one specific job. I am actually going to be paying my loans off this year with the help of loan repayment, and will probably look at getting another degree-maybe a Masters in Health policy-that really interests me....