A little background on me, I just turned 24 years old. My first few years of college were spent playing collegiate football, after a few injuries i decided to pursue medicine.
After talking with a plastic surgeon, he turned me on to the career of a CRNA. He told me being a doctor isn't what it used to be, and that CRNA's have great jobs, great pay scale of work hours + time of education vs. pay. To make a long story short, without looking into to either profession (shadowing) I switched my major to nursing where I spent the last two years taking all the pre reqs.
I have currently been accepted intothe University of Nevada Reno's BSN program. It is an accelerated 16 month program and I would start this August (08).
Off and on, and more so lately, the desire to go through med school and become a doctor keeps popping up. After reading a book titled Becoming a Doctor. A journey of initiation in medical school by Melvin Konner, M.D. I became a little disenfranchised with the idea of being a doctor--anyone else read this book and feel the same?-- Not really basing my change of heart on one man's opinion but more so based on "apparent" facts and shortcomings of medical schools and the whole process in general. He makes some great points but does come across pessimistic, but i digress and back to the topic on hand.
So the real question is, since i have this creeping feeling that once in the nursing program I am going to want to eventually do medical school, would it behoove me to skip nursing school?
I have cross searched multiple threads however my situation seems to be a little different, and that is, I can obtain my bachelors degree in only 16 months. This is much faster than I would be able to obtain a degree in biological sciences. However, I only have a couple classes of my premed reqs done and I would probably end up going to a post-bac premed program such as goucher.
The premed program is one year and then one glide year--which i'm thinking maybe i can work as an rn and earn a little something while I wait to start med school-- but overall it would be about 1.5 years until my BS, 2 years until start of med school. I'm just curious if it might not just be faster to switch majors now, not go through the pain in the ass that nursing school may be, and apply and go to med school.
My grades are good, over the last 3 years I have a 4.0 (about a 3.82 cumulative, 6 units of C's in football is killing me) science gpa is 4.0
It seems like i should do the nursing program, as i can always use it as a backup plan in case i end up not wanting to go through the doctor process and then I can specialize as a np or crna later.
Any suggestions? Opinions? Maybe something I'm overlooking.
at the end of the day the pro's and cons of both professions are split, but what gets me, is i don't want to feel like i settled knowing that i could make it in and through med school.
I'm 24 right now, and if i went down my current route, i would most likely graduate med school when i'm 31-32. I don't want to be a poor college student forever and I do have ambitions of getting married and starting a family before i'm over the hill.
Let me know what you guys think, thanks in advance for the tips and suggestions.
Your plan certainly sounds OK - to do the ABSN, then transfer to do post-bacc premed curriculum. I'm 29 and about to finish my ABSN, and I sometimes wish I'd decided I wanted to go into health care when I was younger - not because I know I would have liked to go to med school, but because if I was 22 and single (or 24) I could have looked into it when I still had the time. Now it's not an option, since we want children and I'm already almost 30. I think you should definitely shadow some MDs, as well as CRNAs. If you know after that that you definitely want to be an MD, it is a waste of time and energy to go to nursing school. I also don't find it terribly difficult (I still have a 4.0, and I graduate in 2 months), but it is extremely time consuming and draining. If you're on the fence after shadowing, then ABSN isn't a bad route to take. If you're not and know you want to be a doc, then don't waste the 6-18 months you say the difference would be. You never know when you're going to meet someone, and the whole marriage/family thing tends to make going to med school pretty tough.
The way I look at it, YOU are the one waking up every day and living YOUR day, not anyone else. Like any other big decision, gather as many facts, get yourself as much experience (shadow/listen, etc.), then listen to your heart! Life has a way of working out from there.
There are postives and negatives with each profession, so it's a tough one. My boyfriend is a physician, and his opinion is that the CRNA path is a great one, and I think he wishes he would have taken it. Talk to others,though, and well, you know...Wish you the best.
I am now 27, been an icu nurse for 5 years... and have just finished my 1st year of CRNA school.
I graduated with my BSN and knew I wanted to become a CRNA the moment I heard of the profession. I went into a Cardiac Surgery icu within 6 months of becoming a new RN. Upon entering the ICU, i felt this deep desire to go to medical school..i wanted to know everything..
Nursing: is incredibly challenging, contrary to public knowledge (men my age would always ask me if i gave bed baths for a living - jerks) . We are the true advocates for our patients, and that means always looking and thinking for what could be better. Nurses are great problem solvers. We influence every dose change, new medication, and the needs of the patient and family. I have recieved thank you notes and cards from past patients which I kept throughout the years, which looking back: makes all the tough times worth it. My assessments and actions have saved lives through the years and I am proud of the work I did as an ICU nurse.
I decided to embark on Medical school....taking chemistry and physics classes at night school (while working 40 hours as a new icu rn). EVERY SINGLE RESIDENT in my unit shook their heads. Telling me not to do it. They were 26-28 years old, in their second year of residency, and spent 110 hours per week in the hospital.
My first year of nursing, i made 55K. The fellow i worked with: at 33 years old: made 53 that year: working twice the hours I did.
Money is not everything..but it made me realize how tough residency is. I had to weigh Lifestyle vs. Career. I knew I wanted a family, and so the thought of going through that for the next 10 years: I couldnt see the reason. I wanted more independence, and i knew that becoming a CRNA would satisfy that want.
So...i dropped out of chemistry (my 68 average helped that decision - i never had time to study). And i focused on my nursing. I traveled to cali, lived my 20's to the fullest, and eventually made the decision to go for CRNA school.
I sometimes wish I had the MD next to my name...maybe its just pride, maybe I want the respect and for people to take me seriously. People still think I give bed baths for a living.
After 1 year of CRNA school: I am glad for my decision. This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I dont regret it for a minute. I know I am going to love being a CRNA - its one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I spoke to one of my old-residents the other day: he's still a resident. We graduate the same year: He starts his fellowship in 2009. I dont know how he does it - i give him so much credit. but I am very grateful for where I am now.
I'm sure this is an agonizing decision, and one I can certainly empathize with.
When I was in my mid-twenties I left the military and was on the pre-med route. I did very well in the classes and maintained a 4.0 GPA, but found that I had to work extremely hard to keep that level. At that point in my life I decided that I didn't want to sacrifice everything for 6+ more years in order to go to med school. Things like buying a home and possibly building a family were just too important. So I switched my major to nursing and made a promise to myself that I would at least obtain a Master's degree.
In nursing school I enjoyed learning the science, but often felt it stopped short of what I craved to learn. The physiology didn't go as deep and I had hoped and I was somewhat dissatisfied, but continued and became a RN. I often wondered if I had made the right decision, but after working in the hospital and seeing the hours the residents and even the attendings put in I was more convinced I had. In just a few years I was working normal hours and had an income that allowed me to have a life. If I had continued the medicine route that would have all been put off much longer.
Then my story continues since I had made that promise to myself to go to grad school. I started work as a RN in a CICU then after a while transfered to PACU. It was there that my curiosity and intrigue with anesthesia began. The more I looked into the field and spent time working with anesthetists, the more I wanted to go that route. Long story short, I am now in anesthesia school and feel that I am on the correct path. Finally I feel like I am learning the depth of physiology and science that I had craved in nursing school. Also, I'm able to apply what I learned as a critical care nurse to my current practice. For me, giving up the med school dream was the right one. I love what I am doing now and do not feel that I sold myself short. It is hard enough to keep me challenged and interested, but not so overwhelming that I feel I can't finish.
This is just my story, and every situation is different. You have to consider your short term and long term goals, and also your priorities. The route to becoming a CRNA is not short or necessarily easy, but you can take some breaks along the way and catch your breath. However, you don't want to live the rest of your life wondering "what if?". If you have the time, commitment, and drive then you may not feel satisfied unless you pursue medicine.
thanks a lot, the insight and story has helped. Right now i am going to go through with nursing and see how i like it. I know that i am capable to get into med school and graduate, but like u were sayin, at what cost? The sacrifice might be too much and i do have outside ambitions and interests, like a family, working out etc..
Maybe it is just a pride thing, wanting that M.D. and that instant respect, and those guys deserve it. It comes with great sacrifice.
My friends aunt who is a radiologist gave me some great insight as well. She loves music and is an avid listener and love hearing music as it brings back memories (like a song you used to listen to in college or something). however, there is a 8 yr period where she doesn't know any of the songs, and therefore those songs don't bring her back any memories, because in med school and residency she never had the time to listen to music.
She also worked 110 hour week, all through her 20's and even now at age 54 she is still working 60 hour weeks. It is more money than nursing, but also more hours. But not thats not what it really comes down to, albeit it is obviously a big factor.
thanks for the story. I feel i can relate with you on the depth of science nursing teaches. In class i am always the one asking the questions which take the science to a deeper level, sometimes it is explained, sometimes the instructor tells me it is not necessary and usually the students have a sort of, well who cares attitude. Maybe it is not important but i'm still curious and if i am told the whole picture it is also easier to understand and remember. Rather than memorizing facts and figures, learn the process and then you can figure out any facts and figures based on your total knowledge of the system, whatever that may be, immunology, cardiology etc..
Like i said, i dont know if i'm willing to sacrifice all that is required of for becoming a doctor. I really do hope that grad school, whether as an NP or NA, that that will satisfy my thirst for knowledge.
Again, thanks for sharing your story, and good luck with the rest of CRNA school. I hope to follow your guy's foot steps in a couple years.
I too have considered the MD route. As a matter of fact, I started out the MD path. I only lack 4 classes and an MCAT to start medical school. I chose to become a RN for the matter of becoming a professional student lol. I was playing wayyyy to much. I have worked for 5 1/2 yrs in different ICUs. As a RN, I have always wanted to know more medically (in sciences). I love medical science. At this point in my life, I cannot pursue medical school. I have a baby. My husband isn't willing for me to spend 5 more years of school (yes CRNA school is almost 3 yrs). It is the debt of medical school that I cannot endure at this time. So, I plan to pursue CRNA school. It will be almost 3 yrs and lucrative (salary and knowledge). I feel if I still want to attend medical school- I can do so later.
To answer your question, CRNA school and medical school are two distinctly different paths.
1) Medical school takes: 4 yrs undergrad + 4 yrs medical school vs. becoming a CRNA takes 4 yrs BSN + 27-36 mos (2-3 yrs) CRNA school, but you have to have atleast 1 yr of ICU experience. So ultimately, that amount of time in nearly the same.
2) Debt of medical school is can be as high as 200,000! Nursing school + CRNA school most likely doesn't exceed 75,000.
3) An anesthesiologist is a resident for some time...I wanna say 3 yrs (generalized anesthesia but one can specialize). You spend a lot of time working toward CRNA, but clearly don't give up your life as a resident/ MD does. You are looking at working an AVERAGE of 60 hours/wk as an anesthesiologist. You have one life to live. Do you want to gain the knowledge and be an expert in anesthesia? Do you want time to spend with your family?
In most cases, most physcians will tell you that their families are second. That is just what the job requires. It is a big obligation and not all are willing to give that away. It is alot to give. You have one life to live...how do you want to live it? Do you want to have a lot of time with your family or do you want to spend 60 + hours a week at the hospital? CRNAs are lucky- they have a choice. You can work just about any hours you want. Most CRNAs chose their families first. I don't mean it in a bad way, but that is what it comes down to. What is most important to you?
4) Anesthesiologists make atleast double what a CRNA does, but again, they spend a lot more hours on the job. In most cases, probably almost double. So, CRNA pay is definately great.
5) Why would you want to be a CRNA? Anesthesiologist? If you decided to go to medical school, do you think you would choose anesthesiology as your specialization? If not, maybe you shouldn't consider being a CRNA, because anesthesia may not be your interest.
Both are great jobs. Both do essentially the same thing (except it is obvious that anesthesiologists have more science background). It doesn't mean that the CRNA isn't capable of passing those same sciences...they just don't have the requirement.
I hate that nurses and doctors have so much animosity. Both can be smart and both can have no common sense. For example, it takes a Bachelor's degree to enter MD school (most are biology majors). I had one classmate in an ADN class who obtained her Bachelor's degree in biology with a 4.0 and failed 2 year ADN nursing program. She couldn't pass for anything. She already passed all of the higher sciences of the biology degree. There are smart nurses. It is a shame that I even have to defend that fact.
You have to be able to put your family second (not that you don't love them), but you have an obligation. What is most important to you? If you want to learn the sciences and go to medical school, do so. If you don't want to spend atleast 60 hrs/wk at work...better think twice....and that isn't even close to the amt of time spent as a resident....80 hour resident work week restriction...yeh right...more like average! Good luck! Both careers are great careers!
Follow your passion. Is it money or glory? If it is money, then you can open a hot dog stand on the right corner of downtown and probably make more than any doctor or CRNA in a year. If it is glory, then take acting classes and earn a spot on the series ER ( acting as a doctor ) and make a million bucks an episode and be famous at the same time. You should follow and do what you really love to do regardless of time and investment. I think those are the people that are most happy and successful in life. Decide quick because time really does fly by. Good luck.
MB37
1,714 Posts
Your plan certainly sounds OK - to do the ABSN, then transfer to do post-bacc premed curriculum. I'm 29 and about to finish my ABSN, and I sometimes wish I'd decided I wanted to go into health care when I was younger - not because I know I would have liked to go to med school, but because if I was 22 and single (or 24) I could have looked into it when I still had the time. Now it's not an option, since we want children and I'm already almost 30. I think you should definitely shadow some MDs, as well as CRNAs. If you know after that that you definitely want to be an MD, it is a waste of time and energy to go to nursing school. I also don't find it terribly difficult (I still have a 4.0, and I graduate in 2 months), but it is extremely time consuming and draining. If you're on the fence after shadowing, then ABSN isn't a bad route to take. If you're not and know you want to be a doc, then don't waste the 6-18 months you say the difference would be. You never know when you're going to meet someone, and the whole marriage/family thing tends to make going to med school pretty tough.