ADN program starting now vs my aspirations towards and MD or DO: What do you think I should do?

MDBoy · Dec 3, 2020

7 hours ago, ThursdayNight said:

I'd use the cost-benefit analysis and risk.

If I were in your shoe, I'd give up the idea of living comfortably while in school. It's going to be painful for a while. I'd focus on nursing then get into NP or work towards becoming an MD or DO. Being a CNA, you'll have to work a lot of hours to cover your needs (and wants). Being an RN, even if you only work PT, it will cover what you need. On top of working less, most of all, you'll be able to do things for your patients that you aren't able to do as a CNA.

I have been contemplating not really even working as a CNA and just sticking to my main source of income which is doing promotional marketing. I can make about 50k/yr on less than full time hours even and I have not much work obligations outside my actual shifts. Should I just stick with that you think or would it be wise to gain entree into a place like Duke by squeezing a few shifts as a CNA there into my schedule?

MDBoy · Dec 3, 2020

On 11/20/2020 at 8:04 AM, RiverRat788 said:

My source is anecdotal and credible. However, it may just be his opinion!

To answer your question, I would suspect that it is due to the number of seats available.

Not trying to brag, but confidence in my academic prowess is not something I lack.I know I'd stand a good chance of getting into any program I chose really, its more a question of which approach is most conducive and how best to discover said approach?

trixie333, ASN · Dec 3, 2020

Hi MDBoy.... Read Londonflo's comment again on page 2.

Don't change any of your plans right now.

Consider a full physical exam to see if you are up to the challenges you propose for your self.

For myself, I see Mania screaming from all your posts on this thread.

Don't set yourself up for failure.

Do baby steps. Keep your 29 hr. a wk. job, start the ADN, get the physical.

MDBoy · Dec 3, 2020

5 hours ago, trixie333 said:

Hi MDBoy.... Read Londonflo's comment again on page 2.

Don't change any of your plans right now.

Consider a full physical exam to see if you are up to the challenges you propose for your self.

For myself, I see Mania screaming from all your posts on this thread.

Don't set yourself up for failure.

Do baby steps. Keep your 29 hr. a wk. job, start the ADN, get the physical.

Not to get too personal but I have pretty bad adhd which probably explains your observation.

trixie333, ASN · Dec 3, 2020

A full physical would include a thyroid workup and psych assessment. Reread your own words on this thread: your agenda is so challenging even Superman would have a difficult time. Words of caution: Pace yourself. Aim to build a flow of accomplishment, not do everything at once. Find a trusted mentor. Be aware of your impulsivity: a mistake in this field could cause you to crash and burn (with lots of debt?). No one doubts your intelligence. You need a solid plan and the determination to stick to it. A mentor would help you from taking an unfortunate step. A physical would help insure there are no unfortunate surprises ahead. Please consider this advice you asked for: we have cared and learned from patients who had problems. We want you to succeed, but you must analyze WHY we express concern over what you wrote on this thread.

I repeat: Keep your 29 hr. bread+butter job. Do the ADN. Get a physical.

That's a probable pathway to success.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2020

On 11/14/2020 at 10:22 PM, MDBoy said:

I will say your comment is one of the reasons I am scared to get into nursing, I don't like being made fun of by people and would be unhappy if coworkers did that to me too often and it wasn't in good spirits. That's partly why I wanted to be a lone wolf...No offense, but its because of people like, well, you....

Best of luck. OK. Yea I can tell that's a heartfelt thing you mean too. Boy you are a class act. The passive aggressive hostility is just thick enough to cut in your post. Can I ask, what is it about me you find so reproachable? Do you think I am stupid and would not be able to do well?

I could be wrong, but I don't think you were being made fun of.

I don't know you but my impression, from what you have written, is that you are perhaps grandiose. Also perhaps somewhat immature because of your characterization of cutting up dead people as "cool". It's fine to be interested and enthusiastic, but don't forget - these corpses were once real, live people - someone's mom or son or other loved one.

Also, at your age, it is perhaps too late to become an MD. People start in their high school years to take all of the sciences they can get. And in college they obtain all of the required pre-Med courses, prep for the MCAT, and otherwise prepare to get into Med school ASAP. You might not be accepted into a US Med school because of your age. You might need to explore Med school in the Caribbean or elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that. I'm just saying that it's not the easiest school to be accepted.

If you really want to become an MD, you need to do it ASAP. No Nursing, EMT, or other sidestepping.

You might seek some counseling so you can get some help figuring out what you really want to do. I wish you all the best. Let us know what you decide.

I

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2020

On 11/20/2020 at 4:42 PM, MDBoy said:

I got a job recently at a promotions/marketing company where I make $30/hr so that is a huge win for me as far as supporting myself while in Nursing school. I am not going to defer nursing, I know what I want generally speaking. I just had some concerns about picking the best route for me to getting to where I think I'd be most fulfilled in the long term. Because once I pick a pathway, its going to be hard to reverse course towards another after I'm in it. I am quite settled on being an RN and then continuing in my education as an NP or PA. I am also exploring which is best way to get an employer, or even the military to pay for my tuition costs at some point. I know if I commit 3 years of service into the Navy or another branch they will pay 40,000 towards my schooling which might be a good route to consider. I am worried about taking on too much in the 1st year of my nursing program though, although my nursing class is only 8 credits and I'd be working 20-29 hrs a week, but I also have signed up for physics 1 and Ochem 1, but may need to consider if that may be too much...

What is the upper age limit to entering the Navy or other branches of the military?

Maybe you already said what you have been doing since high school but would you repeat it here if you don't mind? I know you have been going to school some of the past 14 years or so (assuming you finished high school at age 18) but I am wondering what type of work you have been doing.

Thanks

MDBoy · Dec 7, 2020

10 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

What is the upper age limit to entering the Navy or other branches of the military?

Maybe you already said what you have been doing since high school but would you repeat it here if you don't mind? I know you have been going to school some of the past 14 years or so (assuming you finished high school at age 18) but I am wondering what type of work you have been doing.

Thanks

As far as I know, as long as its not the Coast Guard (limits 27 yrs old) or Marines, I do not think the Army, Navy and air force have traditional age limits, its just based on how in shape you are and ready for the scope of the work you must perform.

I worked in restaurants as a server then bartender since 18. I saw the older guys bartending back where I am from and they looked miserable in ways... like no reaching out for more out of life and many just were alcoholics I think in the bartending world... I was of the opinion bartending was cool and fun and then I think when I hit about 24-25 suddenly was scared shitless of becoming an older guy bartender, in my 40s, possibly an alcoholic, without having any prospects or having even tried... I wanted to at least say " I was a contender" at the very least & having thrown my hat into the career of my choosing.(law being my first passion tbh but ultimately much less of a sure bet and too narrow scope for me... so I discovered that medicine was something I should have looked into but funnily enough hadn't considered much... I had a rough transition to adulthood, lost my father pretty badly in final years of High school and I dropped out I was so devastated by what happened actually and it took at least until I was about 25 even to get out of the house and go anywhere or try to do anything productive. I had been taking the general courses needed for some type of medical program during my off season from work in wintertime, but only really found myself determined like crazy after my last birthday, when I was turning 32.

I Have woken up every day since then and had major experiences I had always dreamed of come into my life as this steady march of opportunities, its very exciting to see them so clearly and realize life is easy if you just want certain things you will get them without much effort... I am "grandiose" yes Korky, but when it comes to learning things I am very good and cannot find many people who have as much intellectual curiosity that is self driven as I have. I also do not care what people think about me, I gave up caring about being perceived as weird and have found it to be among the most freeing things I've done. Now I rejoice in my uniqueness and find much solace in being who I am. I know my beliefs have been formed in the crucible of self reflection and are sturdy enough for my liking. I would rather risk putting my foot in my mouth instead of being a shy person who is afraid of trivial things such as that... I do care about people misunderstanding me however, and on that note, I did want to clarify something... I did not intend to characterize cutting up dead bodies as being "cool" at all... My sloppily formulated comment was my attempt to illustrate my tendency to be drawn by my interest in such things as human biological forensics, effects of different pathologies, postmortem processes, diagnoses of the bodily systems (I am both led around by as well as driven by my interests, not for the immature reasons you speculated on, but merely because that is how my mind operated, my interests draw me to many diverse things and I thought that the different labs in med school would be particularly stimulating, as they would allow me to be exposed to many things I would not otherwise. That is what I was attempting to relate. (& God no, not for any morbid reason like that and I would never be anything other than utmost respectful towards another human being especially in that situation...)

MDBoy · Dec 7, 2020

On 12/3/2020 at 11:06 AM, trixie333 said:

A full physical would include a thyroid workup and psych assessment. Reread your own words on this thread: your agenda is so challenging even Superman would have a difficult time. Words of caution: Pace yourself. Aim to build a flow of accomplishment, not do everything at once. Find a trusted mentor. Be aware of your impulsivity: a mistake in this field could cause you to crash and burn (with lots of debt?). No one doubts your intelligence. You need a solid plan and the determination to stick to it. A mentor would help you from taking an unfortunate step. A physical would help insure there are no unfortunate surprises ahead. Please consider this advice you asked for: we have cared and learned from patients who had problems. We want you to succeed, but you must analyze WHY we express concern over what you wrote on this thread.

I repeat: Keep your 29 hr. bread+butter job. Do the ADN. Get a physical.

That's a probable pathway to success.

Whats with the thyroid workup by the way? Just curious what sparked that comment.

MDBoy · Dec 7, 2020

10 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

I could be wrong, but I don't think you were being made fun of.

I don't know you but my impression, from what you have written, is that you are perhaps grandiose. Also perhaps somewhat immature because of your characterization of cutting up dead people as "cool". It's fine to be interested and enthusiastic, but don't forget - these corpses were once real, live people - someone's mom or son or other loved one.

Also, at your age, it is perhaps too late to become an MD. People start in their high school years to take all of the sciences they can get. And in college they obtain all of the required pre-Med courses, prep for the MCAT, and otherwise prepare to get into Med school ASAP. You might not be accepted into a US Med school because of your age. You might need to explore Med school in the Caribbean or elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that. I'm just saying that it's not the easiest school to be accepted.

If you really want to become an MD, you need to do it ASAP. No Nursing, EMT, or other sidestepping.

You might seek some counseling so you can get some help figuring out what you really want to do. I wish you all the best. Let us know what you decide.

I

I don't believe what you are saying, "it's too late to be an MD" is just showing me you have either a lack of ingenuity, a predilection toward conventional (read: "wrong" ) wisdom and lack an ability to seek any and all other opportunities out to find a solution. Don't mean to offend, but I don't buy into the same self limiting fallacies you seem to. This has always served me well when I didn't sell myself short so far, and it has always led to regret when I didn't just go for the gusto before, that is why I am wondering why I shouldn't just do what I most want to do. I'm sure I'd like to be an NP, but I know in my heart of hearts I would have rather been a Dr. Also, I do know myself, and if I were to find the right work/lifestyle balance, I would have no trouble with acing MD school and that's just a statement based on what I know of my raw intellectual ability, not saying I'd be able to do that at will however.

allnurses Guide · Dec 7, 2020

2 hours ago, MDBoy said:

As far as I know, as long as its not the Coast Guard (limits 27 yrs old) or Marines, I do not think the Army, Navy and air force have traditional age limits, its just based on how in shape you are and ready for the scope of the work you must perform.

I worked in restaurants as a server then bartender since 18. I saw the older guys bartending back where I am from and they looked miserable in ways... like no reaching out for more out of life and many just were alcoholics I think in the bartending world... I was of the opinion bartending was cool and fun and then I think when I hit about 24-25 suddenly was scared shitless of becoming an older guy bartender, in my 40s, possibly an alcoholic, without having any prospects or having even tried... I wanted to at least say " I was a contender" at the very least & having thrown my hat into the career of my choosing.(law being my first passion tbh but ultimately much less of a sure bet and too narrow scope for me... so I discovered that medicine was something I should have looked into but funnily enough hadn't considered much... I had a rough transition to adulthood, lost my father pretty badly in final years of High school and I dropped out I was so devastated by what happened actually and it took at least until I was about 25 even to get out of the house and go anywhere or try to do anything productive. I had been taking the general courses needed for some type of medical program during my off season from work in wintertime, but only really found myself determined like crazy after my last birthday, when I was turning 32.

I Have woken up every day since then and had major experiences I had always dreamed of come into my life as this steady march of opportunities, its very exciting to see them so clearly and realize life is easy if you just want certain things you will get them without much effort... I am "grandiose" yes Korky, but when it comes to learning things I am very good and cannot find many people who have as much intellectual curiosity that is self driven as I have. I also do not care what people think about me, I gave up caring about being perceived as weird and have found it to be among the most freeing things I've done. Now I rejoice in my uniqueness and find much solace in being who I am. I know my beliefs have been formed in the crucible of self reflection and are sturdy enough for my liking. I would rather risk putting my foot in my mouth instead of being a shy person who is afraid of trivial things such as that... I do care about people misunderstanding me however, and on that note, I did want to clarify something... I did not intend to characterize cutting up dead bodies as being "cool" at all... My sloppily formulated comment was my attempt to illustrate my tendency to be drawn by my interest in such things as human biological forensics, effects of different pathologies, postmortem processes, diagnoses of the bodily systems (I am both led around by as well as driven by my interests, not for the immature reasons you speculated on, but merely because that is how my mind operated, my interests draw me to many diverse things and I thought that the different labs in med school would be particularly stimulating, as they would allow me to be exposed to many things I would not otherwise. That is what I was attempting to relate. (& God no, not for any morbid reason like that and I would never be anything other than utmost respectful towards another human being especially in that situation...)

You are wrong all branches of the military have an upper age limit.

Army 35

Navy 34

Air force 39

Marines are 28

What Is the Maximum Age to Enlist in the Military? (thebalancecareers.com)

Guest856929 · Dec 7, 2020

8 hours ago, MDBoy said:

I don't believe what you are saying, "it's too late to be an MD" is just showing me you have either a lack of ingenuity, a predilection toward conventional (read: "wrong" ) wisdom and lack an ability to seek any and all other opportunities out to find a solution. Don't mean to offend, but I don't buy into the same self limiting fallacies you seem to. This has always served me well when I didn't sell myself short so far, and it has always led to regret when I didn't just go for the gusto before, that is why I am wondering why I shouldn't just do what I most want to do. I'm sure I'd like to be an NP, but I know in my heart of hearts I would have rather been a Dr. Also, I do know myself, and if I were to find the right work/lifestyle balance, I would have no trouble with acing MD school and that's just a statement based on what I know of my raw intellectual ability, not saying I'd be able to do that at will however.

What is stopping you then?