You're so smart, you should be a doctor.

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Anyone ever said this to you? Someone told me recently that with my smarts I should go for something "more" like a PA or doctor. I was only too happy to explain, in a very concise manner, why I want to be a nurse. It bothers me that people think nurses aren't as smart as doctors, or that choosing nursing means settling. I guess we just have to prove them wrong.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I've witnessed doctors state: "Nurses are smarter, Most of us WISH me had the education that nurses had." Been hearing this more and more...and a couple were the senior department heads, resident heads, and TWO CEOs I worked for...one became a doctor because his aunt was a DNP...he stated if he knew she was a DNP, he would have done the nursing route, she was called Dr, so he thought she was a DR of medicine. :)

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I couldn't agree with this thread more! I am so so so tired of this sentiment, it's wearing me down. My family thinks it's "such a shame" that I'm "wasting" my "med school grades" on nursing. In their eyes, healthcare, nay the world, is a hierarchy and nursing is a tier below doctors. Now, I'm going to get a lot of flack for this next bit, but I'm gonna ask anyway. Being an RN is obviously different than being an MD/DO, but what can you say to people who ask you, "If you want to be an NP, why don't you just become a doctor?" Okay, obviously they are not the exact same thing (e.g. years of education required, cost of program, scope of practice... etc.) but as far as their functional roles go, besides the very important fact that the NP profession is a necessity for providing affordable healthcare, NPs are like doctor's with their wings clipped. So, why don't you (I'm asking you guys personally) go for MD/DO instead? Is it the nursing model/philosophy of health that you like? Is it the lifestyle it provides? Etc... Okay, that sounded really bad, but I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say.

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I can see both sides.. I choose nursing over being a doctor because I am interested in a career rather than a life commitment. My son is three months old and I want to be able to spend time with my family rather than nonstop work. I love nursing for its patient commitment but I would love the theory behind the medicine too. (chem/physics/bio) it was my son that made up my mind :)

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

I love getting that. Sometimes I say "well... I was looking into my Dr in nursing". They usually go silent for a bit:)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I love getting that. Sometimes I say "well... I was looking into my Dr in nursing". They usually go silent for a bit:)

^Exactly...that usually "enlightens" them lol! ;)

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There are so many doctors who aren't very smart, who lack any real interest or concern in their patients. Doctors get their initial practical training of many procedures in a clinical setting from nurses, although they find it so easy to forget the whole thing once they get the hang of it. Nurses are and have always been and will forever be what they are... Smart and Amazing!!!

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I posted something similar and got blown up by comments stating nurses are just as smart as doctors. Changed my perspective.

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I used to reply, "People need smart nurses, too."

If you want some fun reading about snappy comebacks for this putdown, google Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio.

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I used to reply, "People need smart nurses, too."

If you want some fun reading about snappy comebacks for this putdown, google Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio.

I just looked her up. She's good. :)

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I've heard this from family members, coworkers, and even family friends that are nurses, with the reasoning of the latter being that if I'm sure I want to go for being a nurse practitioner and I already have a bachelors degree going to PA school would be faster, which may be true, but I can get through RN school locally debt free while working and still having a bit of a life, then go on to a grad nursing program and still have somewhat of a life if I'm not in CRNA school ;-) PA school would require either moving or going $100+ grand into debt.

My basic reason for not going for med school is that my wife and I enjoy our marriage too much to subject it to ~10 years of med school and residency.

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^^Which is why shows like "HawthoRNe" make me smile. But unfortunately that was canceled. :(

In any case, I haven't even started my ABSN program and I can already decipher the looks and remarks that I'm getting from people since I've announced my decision to go back to school to pursue a nursing career. "Wait what,you changed your mind? I thought you were going to be a lawyer?!?!" "If not a lawyer, then what about a doctor, why nursing?", as if it's a step down or something!!! I pity those that think that nurses are babysitters and that there's very little mental acuity needed to do the job that nurses do. :sigh:

I am applying to ABSN programs as well and just made the switch from PA school which I withdrew from recently to pursue a career in nursing. My final goal is to become an NP but this switch has triggered the same comments you have experienced! It is beyond annoying! The medical and nursing models exist for a reason and some people are more attracted to one over another.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
I am a guy, and once I identify myself as a nurse, I often get the remark "you are a male nurse?" ...

LOL - I worked with a terrific ICU colleague that got that same question all the time... His best response was just to look them in the eye and say "Which part are you questioning?" Loved it!!

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