subject: What Are The Different Career Paths In Medicine? [print this page] Careers in medicine can be rewarding, fulfilling and enjoyable. They can also be stressful and hard at times but these disadvantages are often outweighed by the benefits of the career.
For those interested in working within this field, there are many different points of entry. This represents both the diversity of jobs available in the healthcare industry and the numerous levels of study which are available for those with an interest in medicine.
Academic study: doctors
Being a doctor is one of the most well paid jobs in medicine. You have peoples lives resting in your hands and this can make the job very stressful at times and also means you will have to endure a long training and learning process.
Your career in medicine will begin in the classroom. Due to the number of applicants, getting a place at medical school can be extremely competitive. It is therefore essential that you make the right choice of A-levels in order to be considered by admissions tutors.
As a minimum you will need Chemistry at A-level with some medical schools asking that you match this level of study in the field of Biology too. A third A-level in a maths or science discipline is often preferred.
Most medicals schools require applicants to take the UKCAT test and some require you to have sat the BMAT as well.
Once you have a place at medical school you will undertake a 5 year undergraduate course at university. This will see you exposed to various aspects of medicine; both academic and practical. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree you will then have to complete two foundation years before deciding in which area of medicine you would like to specialise in.
Practical experience: nursing
Hospitals would not operate without nurses. They provide essential aftercare that is required in order for patients to make full recoveries and be safely discharged from hospital as quickly as possible. Nurses can be based in many different environments. They are more often found in hospitals but can also be based in clinics, GP surgeries, residential homes and many other settings.
To become a qualified nurse you will first have to complete an undergraduate degree. Half of the degree is spent on placements in hospitals or in community clinics with the rest of the time based in the classroom.
Students can also choose to specialise in a particular area of nursing. These include adult, childrens, mental health or learning disability.
Flexible learning: physiotherapy
Physiotherapists treat patients of all ages and they treat movement conditions caused by injury, illness or ageing. The focus of physiotherapy is movement and trying to improve it using a variety of techniques.
To become a physiotherapist you will first have to undertake a degree in physiotherapy. To practice physiotherapy you must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and be a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
As with a number of medical positions, flexible learning is available. This allows individuals to study part-time whilst holding employment elsewhere. As courses such as physiotherapy require less extensive training than that required to become a doctor they are more suitable for this type of course.
