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Should I do it? 4 more years of school....

charlottenian

By charlottenian,
in Huddle Lounge

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charlottenian Newbie

charlottenian

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As many here know, I finished medical school and am half way done through my residency training, I finished my Masters in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph's College of Maine and finished my Masters in Business Administration from Davenport University. Now I am presented with a unique opportunity which is to get my JD (Juris Doctor) aka :aw degree from the Charlotte School of Law as they are only one of two law schools in the nation that offer night time classes

http://www.charlottelaw.org/admissions/admissionscontent.aspx?ID=64

I would be done with everything @ 32 years of age and have about 18 months of medical residency training yet. Even after residency I could practice medicine while attending night time classes. I enjoy medicine and worry that if I got my JD degree I doubt I would be able to see many patients as I would likely be doing hospital administration or higher level positions. I am passionate though about learning law and feel that I can incorporate both degrees to serve good. The biggest draw back I guess is that it would mean another 4 years of dedication of night time courses but there are VERY few people in the nation with a MD/JD degree and only a handful of people who are MD/JD/MBA...

Thoughts/Suggestions

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tarheelblue89 Newbie

tarheelblue89

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You say there are only a handful of people who have a MD/JD degree, does that necessarily mean that if you have one, you would be top choice over others who don't?

I may not fully understand, but it sounds like it is something extra, like a desire or want and not necessarily a need.

I say if you are presented with a great opportunity with what you have now, go for it. But then again if you are that passionate about going into law, then go for it.

This all is coming from a guy who hates school.

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charlotte49er Newbie

charlotte49er

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Do it.

Diito!

I had a chance to get my law degree out of engineering school. 1) I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for it, 2) IBM offered me a boat load of money at the time to come work for them. 3) I would have to have taken about a year of pre-law classes making it 5 more years of college.

I've regretted not going to get my law degree. When I told my Parents years later, they said they would have helped me pay for it!

If you can swing it, go for it! Stay in school as long as you can!

I can't find it on YouTube, but many years ago Chevy Chase was delivering the Graduation speach at a college. He said, "Stay in college for as long as you can! Be a burden to your Parents!"

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charlottenian Newbie

charlottenian

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It sounds like a good opportunity. But I think you need to be asking yourself what your priorities and motives are. Do whats best for yourself and your family.

It is a great opportunity as the only way I could do it is work during the day @ the hospital and then attend night classes. Obviously there are financial factors that would be very enticing, an MD/JD can easily make 3-4x the salary of a primary care physician (family med / pediatrician / etc.). Money although nice, is not the motivating factor because as a physician I would be making more money then I ever would need and doing something I enjoy. The goal behind this is the driving force that all my life I have been striving for higher learning and am presented with a unique opportunity, being an MD/JD would allow me to participate with health care issues that would affect more people then I could as just being a private physician. I would not be obtaining this to simply be a mal-practice attorney and make a living off suing other physicians as I could not live with myself doing that as a career.

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Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

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I understand why you're asking for opinions as having different perspective always helps, but this is really a decision that you're going to have to do all on your own. If you would be happy as an MD with your own practice, stop with school and finish your residency and get to work... if you're always gonna wonder "what if" then seriously consider continuing your education.

I stopped school a LONG time ago and have no intention of returning... I would however if my situation changed and it would benefit me to do so. I think, no... I know I would do much better at school now than I did when I was in college... my thinking at that point was just to do enough to get by and graduate and get a job. I've been really fortunate in that latter part and if I stay in my current field of work, don't really have a need to go back to school.

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Epistaxis Newbie

Epistaxis

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What is the end game?

Ask yourself what you want to actually be doing in a few years.

Don't just collect degrees....have a point.

Is the JD just another feather in the cap with no real goal in mind other than another advanced degree? If so, I strongly caution against attempting to balance your medical responsibilities with "night school". You will seriously kill yourself and never sleep. Ever.

If you plan to get in to med mal, on either side, then it must be done.

Otherwise, I don't get the point.

You sounded like you were interested in hospital administration. Right now....wow. Have fun with that. Hospitals are tanking quicker faster than you can shake a stick at them.

You can do that after getting established somewhere in private practice, get an MBA at a more managable pace, and still be just as qualified for HA positions.

End game. What is it. Ask yourself if you are just afraid to get in to the real world and finally end the delayed adolescence of higher education or are you really focused on a goal that requires both degrees.

I'm not against education. Obviously. I've devoted a ton of time to it myself. But ALWAYS with a very specific goal in mind.

If you have to ask yourself whether or not you should do it.....what does that say?

To me, it either is or it isn't.

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