Working while doing a medicine degree

Lovebite · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

If you feel strongly about it, and you think it would be a change that would make sense, and benefit lots of people.....

then why don't you write to your local Federal Member, or to the Minister? who knows what you might achieve for the kids following you?

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Bris

Lovebite - that is very true, infact for the last week I have been planning such a letter in my head. Im just thinking who to address them to. Maybe both state and federal local members, as well as the minister for whatever that looks after centrelink, and maybe Kevin

Lovebite · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

thats awesome.... and I'd write to anyone who'll listen...... I would also write to shadow ministers.... they like to chase things like that

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Bris

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. I think I have some research to do.

Lovebite · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

Would you mind posting a copy of your letter here for us to view? maybe keep us up to date with your progress?

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Bris

hahah um ok, I'm a little nervous now because I need to make this letter a real ripper. I must say I'm not the best with the pen (or keyboard these day). Iwill see how I go.

Adrian · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject:

I'm sure if you post such a letter here there will be others who'll be more than happy to edit and add to your letter, macca_sti!

Trinity · Regular Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 18

Hey everyone, sorry to bring things back around to the original question after we've moved on but I have something to ask!

My friend is in her final year of Undergrad Med and she hasn't been in the same place for more than about 5 months at a time from about her 2nd year onwards. I have a full time job at the moment, and live out of home. I will be able to get a part time job (working 10 hours or more) with my company IF I ever get into med but I don't think they'd be very happy with the idea I leave on many-month sojourns to other places around Australia for the purpose of the med degree.

Do you move around a lot during the Grad degree too? From the first year onwards? How do we hold down a job? /cry

Lovebite · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

From what I am able to find out from talking to grad students, and reading, it appears that we are going to have to work like a one armed bricklayer to make it work.

At the end of the day, I'm going to do what it takes. Gosh its scary though......

I'm looking at 10 - 15 hours work a week, on top of 30 odd contact hours, and then somewhere around 30 - 45 study hours a week? thats a 75 - 90 hour week isn't it?

Doesn't leave much time for fun....... unless you see studying for your dreams as being fun Wink

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Bris

I am considering finishing off a degree that I only started this year (will finish in 09) and not applying for med. The reason for this is I am doing paramedics at QUT and I will be able to get casual work qith Qld Ambulance that pays very well. One shift per week should do it.

Lovebite · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

I don't think that is unwise at all. I think its important to finish what you start, especially when you're so close to finishing, and you're right..... the good pay will allow you to study harder by working less.

I also wonder if by working as a paramedic you might be able to claim your studies as a tax deduction?... as they are directly related to you current employment? long bow, worth a look.

I'm an Air traffic controller.... so I'm screwed. lol

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Bris

Yea some how I doubt it, but the experience will be more important than the money...Anyways wait and see what may bring and what the rest of the year does

Tayls · Rookie Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

I am about to finish two BA's at the end of 2010 and am preparing for GAMSAT 2010. I joined the Army reserve at the end of 2006 and havnt looked back. As an undergrad living out of home I have managed to save up, go overseas twice and am still eligable for centrelink. I hvae a two scholarships, one from the army and one for the government, and no I dont have to work for the army after my degree. Its not like a normal parttime job, talk to them if you can make it to work, they will help you through your studies. I friends who are practicing doctors/psychologist/psychiatrists etc that I have met through the army and I have at my disposial to help me through my studies. Plus the job freaking awesome. Best uni job ever...

alyusha · Rookie Joined: 22 Jun 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Australia

Hi - I'm an HMO2 now, and did my med degree at Melbourne Uni. They do say you should not work more than 8-10 hours a week, but that only has relevance if you are failing subjects... so as long as you work hard AND study hard, you'll be fine. I worked about 15hrs a week and also managed to get some financial assistance "grants" from Melbourne Uni which were helpful for buying books etc. You really dont have to buy many books though, as you can borrow most, and everything is on the net anyway these days. I was completely broke the whole way through my degree, with no decent clothing etc, but hey, it really doesn't matter. Four years goes by very quickly.

It does get harder in the clinical years, so I'd do as much paid work in the first few years and on holidays as I could, then try to get away with not working in clinical school. That's the time when you should be devoted to learning the art of medicine anyway.

Good Luck, it is totally worth it when you get out the other end.

Hoop0054 · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 5:30 pm Post subject:

Hi all

I'm 28 and married. Our first son was born on my first day of medical school and my second son a few weeks before third year began. I must say we struggled financially and keeping up the work load, although government support strangely becomes quite good once you have children.

I worked a little as a nurse for the first year and a half but really struggled to do so. I can advise that NAB offers a $20,000 student loan for medical students with deferred payments. You need a guarantor in the first 2 years and no guarantor if you apply in years 3 or 4. It was a life saver for us and well worth considering if it means you can dedicate more time to professional develoment in the clinical years (a few of my colleagues also used the money to fund overseas electives in 3rd and 4th years). Just my 2 cents.