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Can someone work after only completing 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school and complete a residency later on ?

Currently in high school, a senior, 17 years old

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Subject: Career question for you

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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Ifra !

I will spell it out for you plainly. If you want to be a Medical Doctor, you'll have to do the entire path step by step with no gaps. There's a lot to learn, there may be issues with getting a residency by the time you want to return for it. You will miss out on probably the most crucial segment by not doing the residency or telling your professor that you will not take placement - it won't look good and will reflect on your reputation as a student.

People do quit before a residency, sure, but it was for their own reason at the time, but you haven't started undergraduate college yet, but you're thinking of taking an 8 year stay for college and medical school. There's something more to your question that I am curious about. You know this far in advance that you want to stop before the residency.

I can tell you what you can do if you really want to explore this. Look into becoming a Nurse Practitioner (6 to 8 years of education in New York State) or a Physician Assistant (about 7 years in New York State). Both of these careers are direct care medical providers that work directly on patients. They're like being a doctor without having to do a residency. Physician Assistants do Rotations getting experience at various health care facilities. So, you can do direct medical care but won't be required to do the residency that Medical School would require and plan for you.

Medical School is a serious decision and commitment and has many requirements that can't be side-stepped or rushed or modified. Look further into the two careers I've mentioned and they may fit in to what you're thinking as there is no residency as done in Medical School. It's a decision that must be made with care, and you can call a Medical School to see what they say about leaving before the residency part. The reason it won't look good to do this is because it will seem like you don't want to be a doctor and it won't put you in the best light with your professors. So know that there are alternatives - Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner - which take less time, do not require a residency and you can take care of patients.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hi Ifra,

That’s a great question, and it’s awesome that you’re already thinking about your future. Here’s the deal: after completing 4 years of college (undergrad) and 4 years of medical school, you cannot legally practice medicine until you complete a residency program.

Here’s why:

Why Residency is Required
- Residency training is mandatory because it provides the hands-on clinical experience and specialty-specific knowledge you need to practice medicine. Without it, you won’t be licensed to treat patients or work as a doctor independently.
- After medical school, you’ll need to pass licensing exams (e.g., the USMLE in the U.S.) and match into a residency program to begin practicing in a supervised environment.

Can You Work After Medical School Without Residency?
While you can’t work as a fully licensed doctor without residency, there are some alternative options to explore:
1. Research or Academic Roles: You could work in medical research or as part of a clinical trials team.
2. Public Health or Policy: Some graduates work in public health organizations, healthcare administration, or health policy.
3. Medical Education: Teaching pre-med or medical students is another option.
4. Non-Clinical Roles: Pharmaceutical companies, medical writing, or health tech startups often hire medical school graduates.

However, most of these roles may not pay as much as being a practicing physician, and many medical students go directly into residency to start their careers as doctors.

What’s the Usual Path?
1. Undergrad (4 Years): Earn a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field (like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry).
2. Medical School (4 Years): Complete your MD or DO degree.
3. Residency (3-7 Years): Match into a residency program in your chosen specialty (e.g., pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry).
4. Fellowship (Optional): If you want to further specialize, you can complete a fellowship after residency.

If your ultimate goal is to become a practicing doctor, you’ll need to complete a residency after medical school. But don’t worry—you’ve got plenty of time to figure things out, and you’re already on the right track by asking these important questions. Focus on excelling in high school and preparing for pre-med in college. You’ve got this!

Best wishes!
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James’s Answer

Hello Ifra. I appreciate your question and interest in medical-related jobs. While I'm not an MD, I'm married to one. Initially, I think you should know your options are unlimited! I also have many close friends that have their MDs but decided to forego a residency. Some are engaged in research related work and others have jobs as medical writers and editors. Others have gone into legal fields and even started their own websites or companies. Jobs can include more technical, hands-on work such as technicians and more analytical work, and medical liason work. The world is wide open to people with an MD primarily because it signals that you have subject matter expertise and also that you know how to work hard. I suggest reaching out to some science or technology related companies to introduce yourself and possibly see if they are willing to meet with you to discuss opportunities (even though you're a few years away from working). Often companies have student sponsor programs and are very willing to assist. Also, there the possibility of more analytical government service type jobs such as with the Central Intelligence Agency, the FBI or the National Security Agency. Again I suggest you directly communicate with agencies or companies (Human Resources) offering the type of work you may be interested in. It's never too early to begin exploring and there may even be shadowing, internship or volunteer opportunities available for you during college.
Thank you comment icon Your advice was so helpful! Ifra
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Patricia’s Answer

I believe you'd want to do your residency right after finishing college. The info is fresh in your mind, and going back later may cause you to forget some of your skills. And there will be other graduates taking their residency, so you may have a hard time finding a hospital that will choose you instead of someone right after college.
Experience is key to learning, hands on experience is priceless.
I would suggest you do not put off your residency.
Good Luck !
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice, Patricia. Ifra
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Dr’s Answer

Hey Ifra! You’re on a super exciting path—being a senior in high school, thinking about medical school already! 🎓✨ You have a lot of determination, and that’s awesome! So let’s dive into your question:

Yes, you can work after completing 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school, but it’s a bit tricky. Here's why:

1. After College:
You’ll earn your Bachelor’s degree after completing 4 years of college (usually in a science-related field like biology, chemistry, or something else that prepares you for med school). You can definitely start working after this—but—you won’t be fully licensed as a doctor yet. You might consider jobs like medical research assistant, medical scribe, or lab tech. So, you’re not exactly a full-blown doctor yet, but you’re working in the healthcare field and gaining experience.


2. After Medical School:
Medical school is 4 more years, and once you graduate, you have your MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree. However, you’re still not able to practice independently yet—this is when you’ll need to go through a residency (which can take anywhere from 3-7 years depending on your specialty).

But here’s the kicker—you can work during medical school in different roles like clinical internships or research. Some medical school programs even offer work-study opportunities! But just remember—you’ll still be a resident doctor when you start practicing, and you’re always working under supervision until you get your official license.



In short, after medical school, you can work, but as a resident under supervision. And after you complete your residency, you’re officially in business as a practicing doctor! 🩺👩‍⚕️

So the fun twist:
Dare yourself to write a “Doctor's Diary” as if you’re already in med school, with all the funny things that could happen during the 4 years. Picture yourself getting lost in the hospital hallways, accidentally calling a patient “Steve” when their name is Dave, and getting lost in a mountain of books. It’ll keep your med school dreams alive and give you a good laugh! 😆📚

You got this, Ifra—your future is looking bright! 🌟
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Ifra!

Can Someone Work After Completing 4 Years of College and 4 Years of Medical School and Complete a Residency Later On?

To address the question, we need to break down the educational path required for someone aspiring to work in the medical field, specifically as a physician.

1. Educational Requirements:

Undergraduate Education: Typically, students complete a four-year undergraduate degree before entering medical school. This degree often includes pre-medical coursework in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Medical School: Following undergraduate education, students attend medical school for another four years. During this time, they receive training in various medical disciplines through classroom instruction and clinical rotations.

2. Post-Medical School Path:

After completing medical school, graduates earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. However, they are not yet licensed to practice medicine independently.
Residency Training: To become a practicing physician, graduates must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. Residency can last anywhere from three to seven years depending on the specialty.

3. Working Before Residency:

It is important to note that while one can technically graduate from medical school after eight years of higher education (four years of college plus four years of medical school), they cannot practice medicine without completing residency training and obtaining a medical license.
However, there are some roles within healthcare that do not require full licensure as a physician. For example:
Research Positions: Graduates may work in research settings or laboratories where they can contribute to scientific studies.
Healthcare Administration: Some graduates may find opportunities in healthcare management or administration roles.
Teaching Roles: They might also consider teaching positions at educational institutions if they have sufficient knowledge and experience.

4. Licensing Requirements:

To be licensed as a physician in the United States, one must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX), which typically occurs during or after residency training.

Conclusion: In summary, while it is possible for someone who has completed four years of college and four years of medical school to work in certain capacities before completing residency, they cannot practice as a licensed physician until they finish their residency training and obtain appropriate licensure.

Bold Answer: Yes, someone can work after completing 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school but cannot practice medicine independently until completing residency training.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

1. American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)
The AAMC provides comprehensive information about the pathways to becoming a physician in the U.S., including details on education requirements and residency programs.

2. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
The ACGME oversees residency programs across various specialties and offers guidelines on what is required for physicians during their training period post-medical school.

3. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
The NBME administers licensing examinations necessary for physicians to practice medicine legally in the United States and provides essential information regarding examination requirements following medical education.

Probability that the answer is correct: 95%

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Karin’s Answer

Hi Ifra,

If the goal is to practice as a medical doctor, you need to complete residency and pass the board exam in your specialty. If you want a different type of work, e.g. in a research/academic lab or as a medical writer, you don't need the residency.

The residency in your specialty gives you the hands-on experience that you need to treat patients on your own. It's intense learning-while-doing that finally makes you a doctor who can see patients.

Good luck!

KP
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Dr’s Answer

Hey Ifra! You’ve got an exciting path ahead of you, and it’s awesome that you’re already thinking ahead.

So here’s the lowdown: You **can** work after finishing 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school, but you won’t be practicing as a doctor just yet. 😅 After med school, you’ll still need to go through a **residency** to actually practice medicine as a licensed doctor.

Here’s why:
- **Residency** is like the ultimate hands-on training you need to become a full-fledged doctor. It gives you the experience to work with real patients in a supervised environment. Without that, you can’t treat patients on your own.
- But, **don’t worry**! There are still options for you to get your foot in the door before residency. You could work in **research** or **healthcare administration**, or even as a **medical scribe** or **lab tech**. These jobs don’t require a residency and still give you some experience in the medical field.

**So what’s the usual path?**
1. **Undergrad** (4 years) – Get a bachelor’s degree, usually in something like biology or chemistry.
2. **Med School** (4 years) – You graduate with your MD or DO.
3. **Residency** (3-7 years) – Specialize in the area you want to practice.

In short: After med school, you **can** work, but you’ll still be under supervision as a **resident doctor** until you finish residency and get your full license. You’re not totally free to practice solo just yet! 🙌

If you're looking for a bit more flexibility and less schooling, you might want to consider becoming a **Physician Assistant (PA)** or **Nurse Practitioner (NP)**. They still work directly with patients but **don’t** need to complete a residency. 💡

But hey, you’ve got plenty of time to figure it all out. You’re on the right track by asking these questions, so keep going! You’ve got this! 🙏🎉
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