Nursing school or Medical school

Nov 08, 2005 10:29 AM

by steph86

I've been having a hard time deciding between nursing school and medical school, how can I determine which one is best for me? I need help!!!

emilyerin · Nov 08, 2005, 02:48 PM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

Do you want to be a physician or a nurse? They are very different careers. You'll probably find that most people on allnurses.com are a little biased toward the nursing profession (hence the reason we're not on the alldoctors.com message board

). Personally, I chose nursing over becoming an MD because I wanted a life outside of work, I wanted to spend more than 30 seconds with my patients, I didn't want to be $100,000 in debt when I got out of school, and I didn't want insurance companies to tell me how to run my practice. Also, in nursing you can switch to a new specialty (i.e. critical care to family birth) without going back to school for 10 years.

Good luck in making your decision!

**sirI** · Nov 09, 2005, 10:10 AM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

Originally Posted by steph86

I've been having a hard time deciding between nursing school and medical school, how can I determine which one is best for me? I need help!!!

Hello and Welcome to Allnurses.com

Great to have you with us.

I considered med school after working as an NP for a few years. Was actually accepted. But, my decision was to stay in the nursing profession. I could accomplish just about as much as an NP.

This is something that you must decide for yourself. Most will tell you that. I wish you luck with this decision.

sjb2005 · Nov 09, 2005, 10:17 AM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

There are many options in both fields. I chose nursing and I am glad.
My son will be the doctor. Medical school is along haul. He's young enough to do it. Good luck with your decision and welcome to allnurses.com!

*Daytonite* · Nov 09, 2005, 10:21 AM

Do you know anything about the requirements and the course cirriculum for medical school? You should research it out. Go to the AMA (American Medical Association) and AOA (American Osteopathic Association) Application Services sites for all the information on getting into medical college that you would possible want to know. You need to have very, very good grades, a Bachelor's degree, and a very good score on the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) to get into a medical school.

RN2MD · Nov 12, 2005, 04:44 PM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

I will be attending med school in 06. Take it from me nursing and medicine are two VERY different fields. Do you desire complete autonomy, like making all of the decisions, enjoy critical thinking, prefer manual labor or intellectual pursuits? These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself. If your desire is medicine do not settle for nursing like I did. I regret this decision everyday of my life. If I could have done it over again I would not have pursued a BSN. Thank God I have an opportunity to correct past errors but many do not. Good Luck.

**sirI** · Nov 12, 2005, 05:07 PM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

Originally Posted by RN2MD

I will be attending med school in 06. Take it from me nursing and medicine are two VERY different fields. Do you desire complete autonomy, like making all of the decisions, enjoy critical thinking, prefer manual labor or intellectual pursuits? These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself. If your desire is medicine do not settle for nursing like I did. I regret this decision everyday of my life. If I could have done it over again I would not have pursued a BSN. Thank God I have an opportunity to correct past errors but many do not. Good Luck.

Hello, RN2MD,

I, too, was accepted in med school. However, I decided that what I was doing allowed me much autonomy, excellent opportunities for advancement, as well as intellectual pursuits. So, I decided to forego this and remain NP.

Never looked back.

I wish you luck in med school and in your new career.

*cheerfuldoer* · Nov 12, 2005, 05:42 PM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

Originally Posted by steph86

I've been having a hard time deciding between nursing school and medical school, how can I determine which one is best for me? I need help!!!

How about job shadowing a nurse one day, then job shadow a physician in the area of your interest (surgery, neuro, ortho, mother/baby, etc.) ??? That would be the BEST way for you to determine which one is best for you. I wish you well in your endeavors no matter what choice you make.

RN2MD · Nov 12, 2005, 05:42 PM

Re: Nursing school or Medical school

Originally Posted by siri

Hello, RN2MD,

I, too, was accepted in med school. However, I decided that what I was doing allowed me much autonomy, excellent opportunities for advancement, as well as intellectual pursuits. So, I decided to forego this and remain NP.

Never looked back.

I wish you luck in med school and in your new career.

Thank you Siri. So many regrets with nursing. This occupation is totally incompatible with my personality. Noone to blame but myself I guess (sigh) Wish I had known what nursing was really like. I never would have wasted my time or money on that BSN. I initially planned to become a CRNA but a little birdie told me that a CRNA was still a nurse and I had the intellect and ability to pursue the MD. So here I am 6 years later about to take the plunge. I wish someone had told me that nurses were overworked and extremely underpaid. I also wish I had known that everyone from dietary to transport can talk to you in such a demeaning manner without any repurcussions. When I tell my friends and family about some of my experiences at the hospital they usually say you're a bright girl why do you put up with that? Well only one more year to go and I can bid nursing a permanent adu (goodbye/farewell).

jaramilm · Nov 12, 2005, 07:43 PM

This is a very important decision in your life. which do you rather do? give orders or take orders. Nursing is a great field, reward and good money. I know a doctor and she has a life, prestige and she is happy. As a doctor you make decisions, in nursing you follow orders and also you will have life threatening situations and have to decide quicky what to do, and that comes with experience. Do research and make sure you know the differences. Medicine is a field that is rewarding and you get to learn every single mechanism on how/why things happen at the cellular level as opposed to they just happen. Is a deeper understanding of the human body. And that is why future doctors have to sacrifice a lot but you do have a life after medical school. Both professions are honorable.

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Nursing school or Medical school

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