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  1. This is a discussion on I have a serious question in General Nursing Discussion, part of General Nursing ... Why didn't you guys get your doctors degree? I mean I see a lot of people on here complaining...

    by Jul 31, '11
    Why didn't you guys get your doctors degree?

    I mean I see a lot of people on here complaining about the work load and stress and politics and what not. Oh yeah and the salary. I just don't really see why not, ya know? I mean a BSN program is 4 years. Medical is five. Like, lets look at the difference here.

    4 year BSN grad ... making maybe what? 40-50-60-70 grand a year?

    5 years down the road... they're probably still working as an RN, maybe they went into a specialty... topping of at 100k a year.


    Now, a doctor after 5 years of medical school does residency, 50-60 a year... but then a couple years down the road they're making 200-300$ a year, and they're the DOCTOR. Thats some politics right there.

    I don't know, maybe I'm talking out of my awss but, I'm just wondering what your personal reason is for not continuing your education. That sounds dick-ish... sorry :P
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    by WKredz5 Jul 31, '11 5:10 pm
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  2. 26 Comments so far...

  3. Jul 31, '11 by
    I like the confidence to go to med school.
  4. Jul 31, '11 by
    Im assuming this is a joke question.
    I hope you have some burn ointment cause you're about to get flamed my friend
    ChristaRN, Gold_SJ, Erindel, and 27 others like this.
  5. Jul 31, '11 by
    I didn't want to be a doctor - simple.

    Besides, docs get sued.
    tvccrn, DizzyLizzyNurse, prettymica, and 1 other like this.
  6. Jul 31, '11 by
    Medical school is 4 years AFTER the initial 4-year Bachelor's degree. That's a total of 8 years of schooling, then comes the internships and residency. Big difference from the 3-5 years it takes to get an R.N.
    Gold_SJ, Erindel, cindyb2010, and 18 others like this.
  7. Asst. Admin
    Jul 31, '11 by
    For me, it's all about lifestyle. I have an associate's degree, earn in the $70k range per year, have a small student loan, and work only three days per week. I get to enjoy four days off per week, which is very important to me because I love unstructured free time. In addition, I do not want 24-hour responsibility over my patients.

    The physicians that I know work six, sometimes seven days per week. Their days start early in the morning, and they sometimes do not get home to their families until late at night. Also, all of the female doctors that I know all had to postpone childbearing until later in life (mid-thirties and older) due to being in school many years. Some of these ladies cannot get pregnant because they are at an age where their fertility has waned. Moreover, the average doctor has massive student loans.

    Being a doctor is an admirable, prestigious, and respectable lifestyle that I do not want. While I'd love to be earning a six-figure salary, I'll forgo the money for a decent quality of life.
    ChristaRN, Gold_SJ, Erindel, and 27 others like this.
  8. Jul 31, '11 by
    Quote from snow_bear
    Medical school is 4 years AFTER the initial 4-year Bachelor's degree. That's a total of 8 years of schooling, then comes the internships and residency. Big difference from the 3-5 years it takes to get an R.N.
    That's what I thought too.
  9. Jul 31, '11 by
    Ya I got you. The hours do suck, heh. But... you're a DOCTOR!

    Damn though, If I could land a 70k a year job working 3 hours a week after 2 years of school I'd **** my self from excitement. What state are you from?
  10. Asst. Admin
    Jul 31, '11 by
    Quote from WKredz5
    I mean a BSN program is 4 years. Medical is five.
    Doctors:
    1. Baccalaureate degree - 4 years
    2. Medical school - 4 years
    3. Residency (family practice) - 3 years
    -----------------------------------------------
    Grand total to become a doctor is 11+ years, with more time if the doc wants a specialty such as IM, pediatrics, cardiology, anesthesiology, etc. A person can become a nurse in a fraction of the time.

    Quote from WKredz5
    What state are you from?
    I live in Texas and earn $36 hourly, plus shift differentials for night shift. After you factor in the differentials, it adds up to $40+ per hour.
  11. Jul 31, '11 by
    It's kind of like asking why I didn't want to be a lawyer or a teacher. The answer = I wanted to be a nurse. Really not difficult to understand.
    ChristaRN, imintrouble, seaghost, and 20 others like this.