Career Advice

athena55, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Acdante:

Sure sounds like you have done some thinking about this and it sure sounds like you already, kinda made up your mind.

The academic road to anything worthwhile can seem so far off into the distance, especially when one is either young or anxious to "get the party started" so to speak. No matter which path you choose, I hope you are happy with your choice.

Yeah, when you sit down and write it all down, can become a wee bit weary to think of all the studying you will be obligated to do - if you wish to pass your tests and advance through college, medical school, internship, residency and perhaps fellowship.

Same thing can be said for a Nursing program...all the studying that will be required if you wish to advance beyond college, obtain your BSN, study for the Boards, continue on to grad school and FNP/ANP.....

I guess most things in life are well worth it, if that is your goal and dream.

Best of luck with your decision.

athena

jpRN84, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

If you don't want to be a physician, then going to RN school and becoming an NP could be a definite route for you to do. But remember, a lot of RN schools are competitive to get in and have long waiting lists, so apply early as possible. Good luck with all you do!

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

Sounds like a good plan. The nursing job market is really tight now, though- especially for new grads. The media has not caught on to this, though, and keeps spouting off about the nursing "shortage".

The best advice I could give you is to incure as little student loan debt as possible.

Flightline, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

I regretfully have to disagree with my more experienced colleagues so far: I think you would be very unhappy as a nurse. I'm sorry to sound so direct, but your OP sounds like you would like to be lazy and uncommitted, and therefore, being a nurse is a better fit for you than being an MD. I think this shows you don't fully understand what nursing is.

In the long run, my friend, no matter what you have to do, you would be much happier as an MD. An MD is a very high position in the world; whereas the coat of arms for a nurse is nothing more than a soup bowl, a bedpan, and a washbasin.

If you won't go to medical school, consider business--especially marketing. Consider the serious money you could make in the business side of healthcare. If you like science, consider biotech. Perhaps research. Maybe you would like to be a scientist. Whatever you do, and remember I told you so, don't become a nurse. You will be sorry you did.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

I definitely don't think he sounds lazy and uncommitted. He sounds as if he wants a life outside of work, and he's right to question the possibility of that during medical school, residency, and even after, depending upon his match.

There are other options you might consider. My husband went through this same decision process and is now in pharmacy school.

Optometry

Podiatry

Dentist

Pharmacist

Physicians Assistant

Anesthesiologist Assistant

These are all high five figure, low six figure (and can be much more for dentist, podiatrist depending upon your business inclination and specialty in the dental field. Pharmacists also can make more, but it is more difficult) fields of health/medicine. With the first four, you have a great deal of autonomy, which is the number one reason people choose medical school over nursing. The last two, you are assisting a physician, and if that doesn't bother you (it did my husband), are wonderful lucrative and very satisfying careers which take less time than the RN to CRNP path.

I can discuss more of each option if you like, but you can also visit http://www.studentdoctor.net and read threads in each forum and make the decision that way. Like, I said, for the past few years, my husband and I were embroiled in this very decision process. BTW, He made a 39O on his MCAT and has a 3.8. He could have done anything he wanted. He chose pharmacy for the lifestyle and career.

Mahage, LPN · Apr 8, 2009

I'm a senior in college right now and I'm about to graduate. I've spent my entire college career being pre-med, along with having another completely unrelated to medicine major, but that's besides the point. I filled out my med school applications last year, and I didn't get in anywhere, the reason for that probably had something to do with the fact that I didn't send the applications in as fast as possible and I waited too long. My MCAT score wasn't bad and I had done a ton of volunteering. Anyways, recently, I've been assessing my life and the things I like to do, I like to play guitar, relax, play sports, and just enjoy myself. I also like science and medicine because I find it extremely fascinating. I feel that going to med school, which at this point wouldn't occur 2 years from now, would be really stressful and I wouldn't have time to enjoy the things that I do, not to mention I wouldn't become a doctor 7 or so years from now, which is a seriously depressing thought, then on top of that I wouldn't get to enjoy all the things I enjoy because I would be a doctor. I just think that med school is such a commitment that unless you're completely sure about it, then you shouldn't do it. I also have a hard time making my mind up about things. So I've been thinking about going to nursing school. Working a few years, making some money on my own, then becoming a Nurse Practioner, or some other related field. What do you guys think, I was wondering what everyone's opinion on my situation was, I've been talking to my friends and they think it's a good idea, I was just wondering what the advice from already established and working nurses could be.

I think you may be on to something. Nursing school is hard, very hard, but you can probably finish it in two years going part time. You can indeed get a job and then go back to school as nurse anesthetist or even to med school You will not be too old if you are a traditional college student. You also might consider going to PA school instead of nursing school. That would be a shorter route than RN to MSN. Look into both areas more. You'v got loads of time and you do need ot be able to enjoy the journey!

Mahage

NC Girl BSN · Apr 8, 2009

Stick with your heart and try to get into Medical school. Its gonna take you at least 2 years to get into nursing. I know how competative it is to getting into some of the med schools but next time try harder and get you application in faster. I have been where you are. I have always wanted to be an RN. I didn't get into the RN program a long time ago and changed my major. I graduated and liked what I was doing but it did not fullfill me. 10 years later I went back to get my RN and now I am so complete. Keep you eye on the prize of becoming a doctor. I think you will regret it in the end if you don't follow your dreams.

sunray12 · Apr 8, 2009

i'm a senior in college right now and i'm about to graduate. i've spent my entire college career being pre-med, along with having another completely unrelated to medicine major, but that's besides the point. i filled out my med school applications last year, and i didn't get in anywhere, the reason for that probably had something to do with the fact that i didn't send the applications in as fast as possible and i waited too long. my mcat score wasn't bad and i had done a ton of volunteering. anyways, recently, i've been assessing my life and the things i like to do, i like to play guitar, relax, play sports, and just enjoy myself. i also like science and medicine because i find it extremely fascinating. i feel that going to med school, which at this point wouldn't occur 2 years from now, would be really stressful and i wouldn't have time to enjoy the things that i do, not to mention i wouldn't become a doctor 7 or so years from now, which is a seriously depressing thought, then on top of that i wouldn't get to enjoy all the things i enjoy because i would be a doctor.
if you're a traditional aged undergrad now then you would still be under 30 in 7 years which leaves you plenty of time for a long and productive career. and for what it's worth you are going to have to go through the next 7 years whatever path you choose, and ... there is life after 30.
i just think that med school is such a commitment that unless you're completely sure about it, then you shouldn't do it. i also have a hard time making my mind up about things. so i've been thinking about going to nursing school. working a few years, making some money on my own, then becoming a nurse practioner, or some other related field. what do you guys think, i was wondering what everyone's opinion on my situation was, i've been talking to my friends and they think it's a good idea, i was just wondering what the advice from already established and working nurses could be.
there's nothing wrong with choosing the rn-np route if it's what you truly want but don't choose nursing because you think it's an easy out as compared to med school. nursing is not known to be an easy profession and if you're concerned with leisure time, the doctors i know do work hard but they also have time to enjoy things they enjoy - and they can afford their hobbies. there is going to be sacrifice on the front end - and you'll probably find that no matter what path you choose. but once you pay your dues there are definitely benefits to being a doctor.
maybe start by taking a cna course so that you can get a taste of nursing and figure out whether it's what you want to do. also if you believe you're a competitive applicant for med school then maybe reapply on time and see what happens. if you don't get in then you can start considering other options.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 8, 2009

I also do not believe that the OP is lazy or non-committal, but being realistic to his/her feelings. There are plenty of areas, as mentioned earlier within the medical field do not have to take forever and a day to enter, and the choices mentioned are excellent!