Need advice Nurse or Doctor

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leenak

980 Posts

There are post-bacc programs for those that want to go to med school. I'd definitely look into those. From someone who is her mid 30s pursuing a major career change, I say follow your dreams. You are young enough to do so easily.

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

*** Got to medical school. You already sound like a doctor.

Bahaha! Literally laughed out loud.

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

So, for about the same job description and duties, as an NP you'll be more than a half million dollars ahead in ten years from now.

This is a large part of why I chose nursing over medical school. I always dreamed of being a physician, but the REALITY was, being an NP could fulfill my lifestyle goals more completely. 20 years down the road, would I be better off financially as an MD? Probably. If we take out the reality that Physician's true salaries have been going nowhere but down in recent history.

But my family life is of utmost importance. I do need a good career so my husband and I can give them all the things we want to give them, but not to the extent that I'm surrendering a large part of what I value about motherhood. I also need to be in the workforce sooner. Being a NP can provide that for me. And if I ever change my mind, medical school will still be there for me.

Of course, I had kids young, before I had to make my mind up about which direction I should go. It's much easier to look at the present than the future. But when you're taking out loans, it's imperative. You're owned by you obligation to those loans no matter how much your life changes.

zhazha1

8 Posts

you are still young so by all means go for it. However, I was a devoted pre-med for many years (which makes me an expert lol) so don't be fooled into thinking that you will be able to have a nursing job as a med school student, you simply won't have time.

Check out SDN, (student doctor network) it is the MD allnurses.com equivalent. Put up your stats (GPA etc.) and people will comment and let you know what your chances look like. Also, medical school is INCREDIBLY difficult to get into. Many people spend years after their undergrad taking the MCAT, volunteering, obtaining LEADERSHIP positions, fixing their undergrad GPAs, and going through the time consuming and emotionally draining application process. Also remember that Med school may be four years but depending on your specialty, you will also have to go through internships (barely paid), fellowships/residencies (paid about the same as nurses in many cases). This means you will not start making above 100k for several years AFTER you graduate from med school.

My point is... if you want to become a doctor make sure you are doing it because you want to be a doctor, not because you want $$$ or prestige; you will pay a very steep price.

Hope this helps, and good luck

Specializes in CVICU.

@ stephalump You make a great point. I am currently single and without kids. I would love to be able to have time with a family. I guess I never thought about the time commitment after I am done with school such as always having to be on call. I am definitely not in it for the money. I am passionate about both fields and can respect both. Thanks!

I am currently a nurse and in medical school. I actually took a year off to pay off some bills. However I thought I would give my input you to help your decision out since this is your career.....it's extremely important and life changing.

First of all I think it's important to follow your heart. If you listen to your calling, I think you may have an idea of what you truly want to do. With that aside, I can understand that a career in nursing and in medicine are over-lapping and very similar. For example an NP and a family practitioner have similar roles.

Secondly recognize that the medical community has outlined roles that are particularly stringent in an academic or hospital setting. Meaning many physicians will 'respect' your role as an NP for example, however they will also acknowledge that you are not a licensed medical doctor. I am an ER RN and have worked side by side with many attendings from various specialties....lots of them treat their fellow NP's, junior residents, and PA's very similarly. When a complicated case arises, they seek advise from medical physicians higher up the ladder, while they will use you to treat the common mundane cases the majority of the time.

So, in essence I think it's important to understand both what do YOU want to do, what are YOU comfortable with, and what do YOU want your job duties to be.

Nursing offers GREAT flexibility, wonderful opportunity for growth, a consistent and stable career, and the ability to transition into many other avenues within the healthcare field and the ability to transition into other nursing fields.

Depending on your specialty of medicine, and once you are an attending, medicine is an extremely rewarding career as well.

I personally worked as a nurse for 3 years and the decision was easy for me.....I didn't want to be an RN anymore...I wanted more...I wanted to understand and have the knowledge of physicians I worked with that was nonexistent in nursing school. I didn't want to be a mid-level provider such as be an NP, PA or nurse anesthetist. I also was tired of working overtime shifts to get paid a decent salary. I just knew that I wanted to be a doctor and if I didn't follow my heart I would live to be old regretting the decision!! So I followed my heart and ignored the opinions of all the negative people along the way. People will tell you med school is too long, too expensive, not worth it, etc. etc. etc......If you are extremely determined, you will find a way. I have older classmates in my class, in their thirties and forties ( I am also 30), and we are all doing it. ...and yes I am in debt, I hate the feeling of not getting paid while in school, and the lifestyle change is difficult. However had I decided to stay as a nurse .....I would have hated it, because I wanted more. Keep in mind tho, this was my decision. I have many nursing friends who LOVE nursing, and they are some GREAT nurses.

I know it's difficult to not consider money into the picture....but realize money isn't everything. As a physician and depending on the specialty you chose you will make a lot of money, despite your medical school debt. I have met many orthopedic surgeons, and anesthesiologists who are not burdened by finances, while there are many family practitioner's having to work 2 jobs in the first years out to make a decent living, but still LOVE what they do and wouldn't imagine doing anything else. There are also many nurses who work 2 jobs and work lots of overtime to make ends meets and also love it. Also in searching these forums realize you will always get a biased opinion....but ultimately the choice is something you will have to live with, so take these opinions with a grain of salt and follow your own.

But whatever you decide is right for you, I do hope you make the right choice!

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