It sounds such a cliche when I say I have always wanted to go to med school but, it's true though! I immigrated to the US (also known as the land of 'milk and honey') when I was 20 years old after realizing I 'did not have a future in motherland'- for those of you wondering where I am originally from, I was born in Kenya. I moved to the US to chase my dream of going to medical school. Having the MD initials behind your name was so big back then! Mmmh, I wonder if it's actually a bigger of a deal nowadays??
When I got to the US, the truth hit me that it was almost impossible to pursue a degree in medicine especially as an immigrant! The tuition is unbelievably expensive! I didn't even have money to take care of my basic needs, let alone paying for my tuition and sadly, my parents could not afford to support me financially! Talk about Abraham going to the unknown land with faith that the God who was sending him there would see him through...that was practical to me then. I remember the stress, fear of the US immigration (scary thoughts of being deported even though I was not doing anything to cause deportation), and just generally fear of the unknown.
Well, med school was out of question at that time. I opted to pursue a BSN degree with hopes that once done, I will work for some time as I complete my application to med school. Well, I finished my BSN, worked for a year as an RN in the ICU but, realized I didn't have enough money for even a semester of med school! "So now I am doomed?" I thought. Since I really needed to go back to school to at least get into a higher profession than RN, I decided to go for MPH- epidemiology. I finished my MPH two and a half years later and managed to get a job with the CDC, Kenya as a study coordinator ( Honestly, I was so lucky to get this job). Still a part of me felt I was missing something. Yes, a part of me still wanted to go to med school. After all, it makes more sense to have an MD or DO with an MPH! There are obviously more and better job opportunities with an MD/MPH combination! Believe me, it's not very easy to get health or medical research related jobs with just an RN/MPH. I am currently in Nairobi, Kenya, battling with confusion on what to do!
I have decided to apply to med school at the University of Nairobi (UoN)- one of the best Universities in Africa and well recognized by the US for residency opportunities. A huge dilemma I am having to battle with is whether I should go ahead and start the program (starts in May). Oh, I forgot to mention it takes 6 years to complete med school at UoN. The good thing is, IT IS VERY AFFORDABLE compared to US med schools. What do I do? Is it worth spending 6 years in med school? That's excluding residency years!!! I am 32 years old! So, I am looking at starting my MD career at the age of 41...what!!! I am confused. Should I just continue working as an RN / RN-MPH and hope for career progression in the direction equivalent to what an MD-MPH would do? Not sure if that's possible in the first place! Also, the MD salary, or MD-MPH salary??? Will it make that big of a difference compared to an RN or RN-MPH salary?
I would like to hear your views and advice. May God bless you and guide you in all your decision!
