Medical school/Nursing school

LisaRN2B · Nov 1, 2003

Nope! You are not the only one.

I still think about it, but...

I have limited resources, 5 children (3 mine, 2 my husbands) and don't think I can last long enough financially to make it through med school at this point in time.

As for those classes you mentioned being hard, well, I am sure they are, but like with anything else if you apply yourself, they are certainly do-able.

If you have the desire, are you sure you won't kick yourself in the butt later if you don't give it a try? Just a thought...and I still haven't completely ruled it out myself.

JuicyJem · Nov 1, 2003

I think about it a lot. You are not the only one. But after a long day of studying and class/clinical I can't imagine going back to school for that many years.

LisaRN2B · Nov 1, 2003

Oh, and I forgot to mention I am pushing 40...I'd probably be dead by the time I got my student loans paid off...:chuckle

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2003

Yeah, the thought has definitely crossed my mind. My fiance is a med student though and I don't know if it's worth it after seeing what he has been through. It is a long 4 years, and then you have all those loans to pay back! I have taken ALL of those courses with the exception of Physics II. Unfortunately I took them when I did my bio degree (back in my slacker party animal days) so I didn't do so well in most of them. O-chem kicked my butt. Now I have all these classes pulling down my GPA, and I know I will have to retake some of them if I ever want to apply to CRNA school. O-chem is much more difficult than physics-- if you take it, make sure you have time to devote to studying a LOT!!

Lorus · Nov 1, 2003

marylinmom-

I have been thinking about this myself. I go back and forth about it. There are so many aspects within nursing and medicine that are interesting.

Feel free to PM me if you would like to bounce some ideas back and forth. -Lorus

LeesieBug · Nov 1, 2003

I also have been torn on this issue. I think medicine would be a better fit for my personality...especially after a semester of nursing school under my belt to confirm this. I have been having a mini-crisis lately....trying to decide if I want to stick with the nursing program or move on......sheesh....

One day, I guess I'll figure out what I want to be when I "grow- up"

Aside from the time commitment, one thing that has me concerned about the medical route is the high possibility of completing four years of school, only to be turned down for medical school.

I hate making life altering decisions.........What a pain

PlanetCaroline · Nov 1, 2003

I know I made the right decision choosing nursing over being a doctor.

I wanted a profession that challenged me emotionally, physically, and intellectually & nursing fits the bill. Also, I like the idea that I do different things in nursing like teach, do research, practice, etc., etc. Finally, I want to do primary care with poor people & b/c of funding restrictions there aren't a lot of paying jobs for MDs to do primary care with homeless folks.

Oh yeah, one last thing, I couldn't cut it intellectually in med school. Sure, I am smart, but I would have to kill myself to get decent grades in science classes & the MCATs. In med school, I would be at the bottom of most of my classes and I don't think my ego could take it. I try not to worry that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer-- I try to focus on my other strenghts which include my insatiable curiosity about medicine.

Truth is, the main reason I wanted to go to medical school was to learn how the body works & for the intellectual challenge. Instead of spending $100,000 for that, I buy discounted medical books on ebay and read a lot. Even though as a nurse I don't need to know things like the electron transport chain, the urea cycle, and lysosome storage diseases, I find biochemistry interesting. I admit I have to read things over & over, but I like the challenge of understanding the way the body works on the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels.

Call me geek nurse, but I've even considered getting an advanced degree in biochem or physiology. I think it would be fun to teach undergrads about how their bodies work. Maybe I'll get a Ph.D. and end up being a doctor after all.

:chuckle

Caroline

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Nov 1, 2003

Caroline you sound JUST like me!! LOL

Everything you said is how I am and it is not easy because I really LOVE science and medicine sooo much.

But you made a *very* good point that there is more variety in nursing, a physician just doesn't have that.

I also am very interested in teaching later on. I just really enjoy this stuff so much is my "problem".

I really dont know if I want to spend a gazzilion years trying to become a doctor when I can put in less time and become a CRNA or something more advanced like that. And also very few who even apply to medical school ever make it in and chemistry does not come "easy" to me like it does for some.

It just seems that so many students nurses I meet (in real life) just do not have the same science/medicine interest that I have and I sometimes feel out of place with them.

Marilyn

Empress · Nov 1, 2003

Definitely not alone. I go back and forth constantly.

SJSU_Mami · Nov 1, 2003

My nursing school required organic chemistry. I didn't find it that hard. Its a lot of memorization and drawing of carbon/hydrogen compounds. Lab for it was pretty interesting. I thought all nursing schools required it.. I've never taken physics either, but if thats all that is holding you back, then just go for it. Just don't take them at the same time! But don't let the classes be your deciding factor. Being a doctor vs. a nurse is a big decision for you.. Give it a lot of thought and choose what best suits you!

AmyLiz · Nov 1, 2003

You're definately not alone. I've caught myself perusing Medical School websites every so often. But I doubt that I'll ever go. I know a gal who is currently a 2nd year resident & she's barely getting by. Salary stinks & there are tons of school loans to pay off. Plus she is constantly at work & barely has time for her family. After she completes her residency, she'll have a 3 year fellowship to go through. Ugh. I don't have much of a life as it is...I wouldn't want it to be any worse.