accepted to med school, but thinking of nursing instead

[bluewater]

hi all,

i'd appreciate any input from people on here--i've recently been accepted to med school (i'm a nontraditional student, 27 yrs old, have a Master's in a quantitative science from a good school). i started working as a cna at a psych hospital a few months ago, and have gotten to see a lot of what nurses do--i really like the fact that they spend so much time with patients (though at the psych hospital, most of them push meds, but still). most of the docs i've seen and shadowed, not just psychiatrists, do not spend much time with each patient because they don't have the time; most of what they do is diagnose and prescribe..for the past few years i thought i was certain on wanting to go to med school--i finished prereqs, studied for the MCAT exam almost full-time for over a year, was an active volunteer in various hospitals, and did all that i needed to do. now i'm just confused--i've shadowed nurses in the past and thought at the time that i did not want to become one, that i wanted more book knowledge and the ability to diagnose and treat the way a doctor does. however, at this time, i've been very satisfied with my role even as a cna in terms of getting to know the patients well, having them thank me when they get discharged, and really trying my best to 'take care' of them in a much more tangible way than i have seen doctors do..

also, i have a SO with whom i plan to settle down in the next few years, hopefully, but the med school i've been accepted to so far is very far away from where we live currently; we would likely have to be long-distance for at least 4 yrs. this would be very difficult because we've lived together in the same place for almost 5.5 yrs, and i don't think we would function well being long-distance. additionally, i know that if we wanted to have a family in the future, it would be easier to do this as a nurse in terms of having enough time--if i became a doctor, unless i started having kids as a resident (and i've heard this is brutal) i wouldn't be able to start my family until at least the age of 36-37...

of course my family would think i am crazy if i say no to med school and opt for nursing instead, and because of all the hard work i've put into trying to get INTO medical school i'm not sure how i would emotionally deal with saying no and starting over with nursing prereqs and a whole new career (nursing prereqs do not overlap with premed prereqs much).

anyway, so sorry for the long post, but i'm wondering if i'm being too idealistic while thinking about pursuing nursing. i know that many nurses are dissatisfied with the level of respect they get and they income they have, but thought i'd ask if current nurses out there were in my shoes and had to do it over again, which would you choose--becoming a doctor or a nurse?

thanks so much, everyone!

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

You've listed many reasons to go the nursing route and very few in favor of medical school. In fact, I don't see any pro-med school things on your list- just the fact that you have put in time and effort so far and you feel that your family would be happier if you went to med school.

Both are valuable and satisfying careers but if you came to me for advice, I would say it sounds like you have already decided that nursing is the right path for you.

Also, most of the nurses I know are very satisfied with their careers and feel we are fairly compensated with wages and benefits. You are correct in your statement that nursing is more family-friendly overall.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

[lily1289]

Hi! With all the time and effort you invested to get in to medical school (and you actually did!), i can see why you have doubts about not following thru with your plan but at the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you and if your heart is in nursing, then go for it! Sure your parents might throw a conniption because of the change in your career goals but sooner or later, they will understand. Besides, nursing is not the end of the road for you. You can always go to medical school later after you become a nurse if you had a change of heart again but for right now, follow what your heart is telling you and what is best in your situation. Don't worry about what other people will say and worry about your own happiness.

[FSUNurse2b]

I too am considering the nursing route, through an accelerated BSN program. I'm 32, have a BBA, MBA and work in the very lucrative investment world. Money cannot buy happiness (neither can the lack of....lol). I chose my career path because I thought it would provide a very comfortable living, which it has, but I haven't been able to identify myself with my profession. Remember that you can always assign a price tag to non-monetary attributes of your job, i.e., how much is your SO worth, a family, your time, etc etc.

[suanna]

Most nurses I work with are dissapointed in thier choice of career, but that is also true of almost all of the doctors I work with. A degree in both fields are just a jumping off poin to your eventual career. You must have a good academic record with your credentials- I see most of the nurses with a "science" mind going on to getthier MSN or PHDRN in advanced practice. Often they have expressed the feeling that they "didn't want to waste thier RN education, but wanted more respect, autonomy, and money. If they had to do it over again, they would have gone to med school as a first choice. Just my two cents.

[FSUNurse2b]

Suanna,

Is that a fair representative sample for "all" nurses or just a phenomenon of where you actually work? Both my sisters and wife (RNs) absolutely love their career choice. It's too bad, that the majority of the nurses you work with chose the wrong career path.