Is debt consolidation a good idea under my cirstances?

After my parents divorced, at 18 I was left with paying for thing I didn't pay before. Slapped with medical bills and living expenses, I turned to credit cards. I had 3 credit cards. my debt is now around 2,000. i tried working out payment plans with my creditors, but with three of them, it's very difficult. i am 20 years old, full time student, making 5.85/hr. i am looking for a new job so i can up the payments that i have arranged with my consolidated debt. but i just can't afford to bring all of the cards' balances' up to date. so i figured this was the best solution for me. even if i payed all of them off now (which is impossible) my credit would still be screwed. i realize that good credit is important, but i am more concerned about being able to pay to go to the doctor, or having gas for my car.