Older Nurse Turns 69 to Become a Doctor

Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft had spent almost five decades helping newborns before she decided to pursue a new goal. She started medical school when most people are retiring, at the age of 69 in 2022. The decision was sparked when her husband nearly had a serious health event. She asked him what he wanted to do with his life, and he said he wanted to travel the world. She replied that she still had a dream of becoming a doctor. She did not plan to practice medicine after finishing school. Yet, she is about to begin a family‑medicine residency just before her 73rd birthday. She knows the demands of training and feels prepared, even though many young people might not understand what it means to be a resident at her age.Starting residency as a senior brings practical questions. For example, how will her employer handle the fact that she is both a resident and eligible for Medicare? These are real concerns that many older trainees face. People have responded with excitement to her story, and she has written an essay about the experience. She hopes to continue practicing medicine for some years, but her exact plans are still in development.