I am 36, a SAHM of 3 boys (8,6,and 18 mo). I never had any desire to enter the medical field when I went to college (way back when). It wasn't until our second son was born at 26 wks and after all the time spent in the NICU, that I realized I enjoyed medicine. I decided then, at some point, I would get an RN.

Now several years later,we are living in Mexico and I thought I would go to school here and therefore be a bilingual nurse. However, the nursing school system isn't set up for international students, yet some of their med schools are. I didn't know this until my husband suggested I become a DR. He planted the seed, I did some research and now I am trying to decide if I really want to go all the way.

Growing up, all I wanted was to be a wife and mom. I am doing exactly that and I am happier than ever. I worked my way thru college and received a BA in Business. However, I got married three weeks after graduation, moved overseas and have not worked outside the home for the last 11 years.

I'm not wanting to go to med school in order to work full time as a dr in the US. My goals are for the far future after our kids are on their own. My husband is a pilot and with his skill and mine as a dr, we can go to so many places in this world and help others. I really have no desire to practice medicine in the US at all. I want to use my skills elsewhere.

My biggest concerns are
1) time away from my family, especially the kids during med school, and
2) securing a part time or flexible shift position during the time after school until the kids are on their own.

Does anyone have any advice on how to emotionally handle being so busy with school and not as big a part of the kids lives? That is what scares me the most - not being there when they "need" mom.

Also, what have others done for childcare (au pairs/nannys/maid/etc)?

I'm sure all this has been discussed previously and I have read through some of the other posts, but there are so many. Please forgive the redundancy.

Hi. After reading what you wrote about your future plans (traveling the world and wanting to help people), it seems to be that an MD may be the wrong way to go about achieving your goals. Medical school is a huge time commitment and a huge financial investment. You have 3 children and say that you have been very happy being home with them and not working outside the home for the last 11 years. This makes me suspect that medical school would come as a huge shock and that you would not be happy with all those hours away from your children, needing to study and working in the hospital during your rotations.

I wonder if there aren't some other medical fields that could satisfy your desire to help others, probably be more practical in terms of being able to work around the world and not require such a big time and life commitment while your kids are still home? I know a lot of nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, etc travel with the docs who do international work.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!