Might there be an easier way?

I can't help myself. Here's another interesting NYT article. This one chronicles the growth of the physician assistant and nurse practitioner roles.

As anyone reading (and writing) this blog knows, becoming a physician requires a tremendous financial and time commitment. According to the article, the average total income for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice is about $86,000, and the average total income for nurse practitioners is $92,000. Considering how many fewer years of training (and thus tuition) one needs, being a physician assistant or nurse practitioner is an interesting alternative for those who want to be clinicians.

Here's the link.