The "Why don't you become a doctor" question

BellsRNBSN · Jan 2, 2012

I feel your pain! Believe me, the ladies get it too! I remember when I first told my parents that I wanted to go into nursing, my dad continued to pester me for at least a year about why I wouldn't "just go all the way" and become a doctor, as if working as an RN is on the stepping ladder up to becoming an MD. And when I tell people that I'll eventually get at least a master's degree in Nursing, they ask me what the point is and why I don't just go to medical school instead. :rolleyes:

I think it's that most people just don't understand that nursing is its own separate profession. I'm surprised that you have been given grief from healthcare professionals - what I've observed is just the people who don't work in healthcare who seem to think that becoming an MD is the crowning achievement in healthcare and what all healthcare workers should aspire to be. I also blame the media for projecting a distorted view of nurses and what we actually do. It's getting better, but still needs a lot of work.

In the end, all we can do is be the best nurses we can, and a shining example of our profession, and maybe help educate those who are misinformed. I feel the same as you - nursing is in my blood and what I was meant to do. I won't let the naysayers get me down! :nurse:

bigboi · Jan 2, 2012

When people ask me why I wouldn't become a doctor, I usually tell them that I'm gonna be one someday. A doctor of nursing. They become addled and ask, "there is such a thing?" I reply yes. Then offcourse I say "you mean physician?" I'm 34yrs old and I'm not interested in accuring $200,000 plus worth of debt. I also like having a life and not working an ampule amount of hours in residency. Most of all, nursing is more suitable for me because I'm a very convivial person.

bigboi · Jan 2, 2012

When people ask me why I wouldn't become a doctor, I usually tell them that I'm gonna be one someday. A doctor of nursing. They become addled and ask, "there is such a thing?" I reply yes. Then offcourse I say "you mean physician?" I'm 34yrs old and I'm not interested in accuring $200,000 plus worth of debt. I also like having a life and not working an ampule amount of hours in residency. Most of all, nursing is more suitable for me because I'm a very convivial person.

bigboi · Jan 2, 2012

sorry for the double post.

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jan 2, 2012

When I get asked, "Why not become a doctor?" I cringe everytime. Nursing and Medicine are two different entities to me. I want to spend time with patients. I want to be at bedside and see patients come into my unit and see them go home upon discharge. I want to do nursing care. I want to help people, be their advocate, be their support and friend, be their teacher with patient education, be a reliable source when they are in need, help patients cope, ease their suffering and anxiety.

In nursing, I find I can get a career in the health field much sooner than I would as a doctor. As much as I love school, i don't want to dedicate that amount of time plus years after graduation to become a doctor. I have respect for physicians and what they do, but becoming a doctor is not the path I would want to take.

I'm not going into nursing to make my millions. I'm going into nursing to help people, in the best way that I can. It is nice getting paid for doing something that you love, but money was not a consideration when I chose nursing. Yes, doctors do make more $$ but they've earned it through their education and experience.

I am choosing nursing because I love it. I know I will love it during the good and bad days. Through the rough times and joy, through the heartache and tears, and smiles and hugs.

That is why I want to be a nurse. :nurse:

awheat · Jan 3, 2012

Try this one" "If I flunk out of Nursing School I always have Med-School to fall back on". :)

DFWgal · Jan 3, 2012

I volunteer at the local hospital. Some of the nurses have told me they are proud I'm applying to NS but there is one lady that's always bugging me about going to Med. School instead. I just ignore her. She told me once that I should have a couple of kids to get busy instead of volunteering (...)

My university belongs to an online network that provides mentors involved in healthcare. I got a doctor, and he was really enthusiastic while I was deciding between nursing and med. but he stopped writing when I told him I decided to go into nursing.

There are negative people everywhere. Just ignore the "bad vibes" :)

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jan 3, 2012

It seems it'll never stop! Someone will always be asking us how come we don't become a such-and-such...I guess eventually it may fade out a bit for us individually. I am working on my LPN now so I don't get the Doctor question yet, but I do constantly get people in my business wanting to know how come I don't go straight for my RN and feel as is they need to know my plans, etc, etc. so on and so forth...I don't think it'll ever end for us!

Britt585 · Jan 4, 2012

I'm a student who has recently decided on nursing as a career goal. So far I have had two professors (both chemistry PhDs) ask me 'why not become an MD?', as I'm a 'great student'. The best answer ended up coming from my boyfriend (who incidentally IS an MD, so speaks from experience) who said: 'you're too SANE to go to med school!' :)

A more serious answer is twofold: 1. I don't want to go to school for 5 1/2 more years (which would make me 32 when I would start my intern year). 2. I don't want to be a doctor! Lol. It seems obvious that they are two very different careers with different demands and rewards that are suited to different sorts of people, and just because I am SMART doesn't mean I shouldn't want to be a nurse!

To me, the fact that otherwise cool, intelligent people would ask that question indicates the unfortunate reality that nursing is just plain misunderstood, and often doesn't garner the respect that it deserves.