Need career advise. Psych vs more medical career?

I graduated w/ a BA in psych in 05 & plan on attending grad school to get a MS in the fall. Its a good school, they gave me a great deal, but I am struggling w. whether its what I really want. Ive always had a big interest in medicine wanted to be a Dr then a PA(what i actually initially majored in as undergrad), but at somepoint I talked myself out of it. I am a real shy person by nature, hate making mistakes and I think i kind of convinced myself back then that I wouldnt be able to handle that kind of job w/ so much pressure. And once I switched, I did do better grade wise & enjoyed classes, but looking at it now I am wondering if I just took the easy way out, and whether I'll ever be happy w/ my career choice. Anytime I am at any type of dr office I think about how cool it would be to work that type job, but it seems imposs to get started at this point. I dont know if Im shying away from the psych bc I dont see ppl in those type of careers everyday and its hard to envision or what.

Thanks for the feeback. The main prob is its real difficult to find psych related jobs w a BA. I tried for awhile, but ended up taking a job in an unrelated field. And there are various types of psych jobs, so it would hard to judge everything psych related based on just one or two jobs. Its been 2 yrs, so I don't really want to wait any longer if I am going to get my MS, I also have a good offer that might not be around next time. But I am still having big time doubts. But at the same time, it seems real difficult to get in any type of medical career w/o starting over from the Bachelor level and i dont think I'd want thats something I want to do either.

I think the question you are asking is whether to choose a psychology degree or a M.D. with a specialty in psychology ... and I can tell you of several differences between the two, so you'll be 'better able' to decide which career you would be best at and happiest at ...
A psychologist is basically a 'counselor' who gives 'therapy' to patients, either individually or in group therapy sessions. MOST psychologists do NOT deal with the truly 'insane' but with those who have a mild 'mental health disorder' or they work closely with an M.D. (who may be a psychiatrist, or may be just a 'general practitioner/internist' who has patients who have both medical and psychological problems.
A psychiatrist sees more of the 'truly insane' and while some psychiatrists do 'counseling' and therapy, they are more into 'prescribing the medicine' that some people need in order to get and stay better. This prescribing requires both a good 'interview technique' plus a knowledge of the types of insanity and/or mental health problems possible, and gives 'tests' (the most famous being the MMRI) to determine what to 'do' for a patient.
Frankly, where you are at now in your schooling you are 'free' to choose which to be, and that will be true until you have that Master's Degree in your hand ... which usually takes two to three years to earn. At that point, you will be 'a little behind' in the 'medical' part of your schooling so it could take you four years in 'medical school' to become a doctor, instead of two years ... and you will have to 'make up' some of the 'hard science' classes that you may have 'missed' because you were on a Psybhology track. The BIG DIFFERENCE, though, it that Master's in Psychology (if you get a 'good one' and have high grades throughout getting it) can get you a BETTER 'psychiatric residency' and you may be able to 'skip' the first year of residency/internship, since you 'know' what you want to become, and you 'don't need' to be able to 'stitch up wounds' or to diagnose things like measles and scarlet fever.
I'm a psychologist, and of course I think that the 'psychology route' would be best for you ... especially since you say you are 'shy' ... because there are MANY JOBS that cam be done by a person who is a PhD. Psychology ... from 'administration' (including setting up 'counciling centers) to 'pure research' on both people and animals. But at least I've given you 'more valid information, and you know that you still have at least two years to 'decide' on what you 'will be' in the end ... so do your best, and 'choose wisely' ...

i say medical it will pay much more. and is needmore more

maybe you need to take a little time out and see what it is you what to do. since you have your BA in phych try and find a job in that field to see if that is what you really what to do before you go any further. i have always wanted to be a nurse, but once you get into that field that is not and easy job. so now i perferre to work in the medical field behind the doors. you have a good head on your shoulder, you have done what some people couldn't do. pat yourself on the back.

difficulties exist to make us work harder. you must not look for the easy solution. i was about to do that myself. a year ago, i wanted to be either a teacher or a doctor. studying to be a teacher means that you'll study only for 4 years and then wait to get hired. while, being a doctor means(in greece): 6 years studying, 1 year practice, 3-8 years waiting to get a speciality in a certain thing like gynecology, pediatrics, etc... then wait till you finish that for another 4-6 years, reach the age of 40 and then get a job of your own! well, that's what happens most of the times here... but i decided i wanted to be a doctor, cause i like helping ppl, trying to make difference in this world. and, ok, i know i might give up... i fear that... but at least, i will have tried.

I would step back and really look and decide what I wanted to do......Also, do you have a friend in the medical field that could get you in for a day somewhere at a hospital to do something there...could you volunteer at a hospital to be with patients to see how you would react around them. You need to get out there and see how you "fit in" so to speak...you talk about being shy....and I konw you were also talking about making mistakes but you will learn all of that as time goes.....you will have to get over the shyness first....get into the hospital either by volunteering....a friend or something...see how that goes....see how you interact with the patients and stuff....then go from there......let your mind figure that part out....

Now, as for Psych....it is not the easy way out...this is a hard job also......The classes may be easier but this job is just as stressful....I am not sure what kind of a job you are looking for...Psych as in Psychiatry? or what....so not sure what to tell you about that.......but that is my 2 cents worth on the medical field....