Need career suggestions..?

Pre-Med & Medical School Careers in Medicine
1

<p>Right now I'm a junior in HS (yes, I know, I'm still very young to be figuring out what I want to do with my life) and I'm rather unsure what I want to do career-wise in the future. I'm pretty certain I want to work in the medical field and for a while I've been thinking I want to be some kind of doctor, but after thinking about it, I'm not so sure anymore. You see, there's one little issue with this "doctor" plan for me. I'm female. I'm definitely NOT saying that women can't be doctors (my aunt is one!) but to me PERSONALLY having kids and a family is really important. I don't want to be in school for years upon years, be on call all the time (my aunt has this issue), work late, etc etc and have limited time to spend with my future husband and my children.</p>

<p>I've considered nursing but I'm not as interested in the more "hands on" approach to patients and all the care taking. I'm more into the science-y aspect and the problem solving.
What other careers in medicine are there that perhaps don't take QUITE as much schooling as a doctor, would give me more time for family, but still has a decent salary (doesn't need to be DOCTOR good though)...?</p>

2

<p>Look into: Physicians assistant, pathology assistant, clinical lab scientist, clinical research, nurse practitioner, clinical registered nurse anesthesiologist, podiatry, and optometry.</p>

3

<p>These days most medical practices are linked to medical groups, so no one doctor is on call more than one night a week or so, even less with the practice that employs my daughter. She is a PA, and has no evenings on call at all. On the other hand, her best friend’s practice has the PA’s do most of the on call shifts (family practice, so there is nothing that they cannot do; other specialties would need a doc for some things).</p>

<p>My daughter chose to become a PA because she did not want to have children during the long hours of residency, or put off children until after doing residencies. It works for many women, but she did not feel that it would work for her. Then she broke up with her boyfriend and hasn’t found another, so it became moot…</p>

<p>Our pharmacist (female) had encouraged her to look at pharm school. She earns enough part-time to be able to live happily and be at home more with her kids. </p>