[Apollorn]

Originally Posted by nursemike

Personally, I think I'd rather just embrace the stereotype and marry a doctor...

lol. I enjoyed that. Thank you for all your insight.

[Stringer]

Hi tanthalas and all,

I dropped out of pre-med (biology major) half way through my senior year. I was already a RN, making top grades, and pretty much been invited to apply to a couple medical schools.

Why did I drop out?

I realized I was doing it because my culture held MDs in the highest esteem. It was expected that anyone who could, should. Men in nursing who are good at it will receive a kind of respect from the other nurses that physicians rarely do.

I did not like the attitudes of my peers; tissue technicians. I really liked hanging with the nurses more than the doctors. Even the women in medicine can be intolerably macho.

I realized my heart was not in it--too type B. I like operating below radar, which is what my RN allows me to do. I realized I really didn't care about the prestige. I don't care if people think I'm gay. I don't care that people think I would have been a good doctor. I really don't even care about the money.

At the University teaching hospital I work at, the veteran nurses are highly respected, and their input is translated to plan of care and Attending MD orders often above even resident level MDs.

Nursing has its up and down sides, like anything, but it has given me the freedom AND finances to pursue the other loves of my heart: family (insert major cardiac emoticon here), surfing, art, and without the pre-load of expectations that always goes with the MD.

How many doctors report liking their jobs?

I rest my case.

Originally Posted by tanthalas

Hello, all!

I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school. I'm starting to wonder why I am thinking of going into medicine. I think a major influencing factor of going to the medical route is the stigma of male nurses and the prestige a physician has as opposed to a nurse. Do you think those are the wrong reasons of becoming a doctor? Thus far I've received a lot of positive feedback on my nursing and I agree, I am pretty good at it. It may seem arrogant but I am very confident in my abilities up to now although I am aware of the many things I have yet to encounter and learn.

So, I summarize, am I thinking of leaving the nursing profession and going into medicine for the wrong reasons?

Thank you for your input.

[PMFB-RN]

Originally Posted by tanthalas

Hello, all!

I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school. I'm starting to wonder why I am thinking of going into medicine.

*** Have you considered CRNA? MOre money than many MDs very independent practice, highly challenging and technical field. Plus it would be just two more years and a few months of school after your BSN. You would have to work in an ICU for at least a year though.
I know a married couple. He is a family practice doc and she is a CRNA. He has commented to often that if he had it to do over her would have gone CRNA. His wife makes $50K/year more than he does.

[Apollorn]

Thank you for all for being so kind to share your perspectives.

What exactly is a CRNA? I don't think we have those in Canada?

[mouse_42]

Originally Posted by tanthalas

Thank you for all for being so kind to share your perspectives.

What exactly is a CRNA? I don't think we have those in Canada?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
http://www.aana.com/Default.aspx

[MysticalSeeker]

Originally Posted by tanthalas

Hello, all!

I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school........

Ok, I know Im a girl and all, but I really wanted to contribute.

I am a soon to be LVN (I take my boards on April 22, woohoo, go me) and soon after that I will be take an RN bridge program ASAP. I have always wanted to be a physician. So why am I in nursing? Well life conspires and we arent always given the resources needed when we need them, so we open a window when a door is closed.

Truth be told, I was on major burn out, when I was in high school I did overkill, I was reading all the course curriculum that students in their 2nd and 3rd year med school was reading, as well as my high school courses and early college courses. I just couldnt get enough information, it was insatiable hunger. But I got burnt out soon after high school graduation.

I took nearly 10 years 'off' because of a burn out. I recently went into nursing school, and it was during this past year that the fire was rekindled, and thats really the best word I can use: fire.

Same thing for any profession, there is a fire or a passion for it.....you cant describe it, but it just overfills your spirit. So it was just during my schooling that I realized I love nursing, dont get me wrong.....but I knew if I never at least went to medical school, despite the huge debt I will be in, I would be missing out on something.

The main difference, between a physician and a nurse lies in their focus, obviousely. It shouldnt be about prestige, because there is no way you will be able to get through medical school and residency just for the prestige. Its like going into nursing strictly for the money....it wont work, you will be a terrible nurse to your patients. Theres got to be passion there, dedication. Anyhoo, nursing is all about patient care, they are patient centered....very holistic.

Physicians, on the other hand, are organ centered....they are more focused on the body systems, on disease, and on treatment and prevention. So if you like the idea, or are intrigued by the idea of focusing more on 'investigating" or on diagnosing and seeing it through on a medical management position, then medical school is the right area for you.

I think being a nurse is a huge asset to being a doctor, because you will be able to be a physician who is patient centered as well as organ centered, so your patient will be receiving holistic care, something rarely given by physicians.

Okay, I rambled on enough

[Apollosn]

Wow, that was an awesome post . I contemplated going into medicine whilst in my third year of my BSN too. I, too, wanted the prestige that comes with being a physician. I've come to realize, however, that the prestige will only last so long and if I am only doing it for others then it won't be fulfilling. I'm only in my 3rd year but I enjoy going to work and learning. I love saying that.

[buffscotty]

I am going the same route as the original poster, not for the same motives though. I wish to become the largest part of a patients visit to the ER. I want to write scripts and really figure out what is wrong with the patient. If that does not work I wish to become a DNP. I don't think of this as an insult, if I did get into med school and became a Doctor, I would be glad that I would of had the years of nursing experience.

[jzzy88]

Originally Posted by Apollorn

Hello, all!

I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school. I'm starting to wonder why I am thinking of going into medicine. I think a major influencing factor of going to the medical route is the stigma of male nurses and the prestige a physician has as opposed to a nurse. Do you think those are the wrong reasons of becoming a doctor? Thus far I've received a lot of positive feedback on my nursing and I agree, I am pretty good at it. It may seem arrogant but I am very confident in my abilities up to now although I am aware of the many things I have yet to encounter and learn.

So, I summarize, am I thinking of leaving the nursing profession and going into medicine for the wrong reasons?

Thank you for your input.

I think you should wait on your decision and find out more about medicine and advanced practice nursing. I wouldn't do medicine for prestige or money, but rather b/c you really enjoyed the science part of medicine and want to make a contribution to humanity. I am doing an accelerated second degree BSN after my first degree in molecular and cell biology. I really love chemistry (especially organic and biochemistry!), biology, physics, math, and making a difference in the lives of others. I thought nursing may be a better match b/c it seemed like nursing would allow me more time with patients and also is less of a time commitment. But, I may decide to go to med school after doing nursing for a while. I'm leaving the choice open. I strongly encourage you to do what you love regardless of the prestige, though I understand where you are coming from. And the pre-rec's for med school are not as difficult as people claim. You just can't be a slacker, if you study you'll be fine.

[ERNURSE158]

When I started at my university I was pre med....I had a wonderfull advisor who told me to choose a degree in which I could get a job...so long story short I went BSN with the aspirations of completing my Pre-recs...and going to Med school...however...the more time I spend with doctors...The more I'm not so sure I want to be one. I'm about to start my MSN in the fall..and I'm so glad I didn't wast anymore time with the Med school classes...The nursing lifestyle works much better for me...and I just don't talk to many doctors who absoultly LOVE what they do.....so just some thoughts.