Do you ever think about going to medical school?

Siouxz2 · Jul 14, 2005

Many, many moons ago when I was young, I had no interest whatsoever in the sciences. I majored in creative writing, for gosh's sakes! Now that I'm, ahem, "mature," I have discovered that I am quite good in math and science and have a real passion for medicine. I am kicking butt in nursing school and really love it.

However, had I known way back when, before husband and kids that I had a real knack for the medical field, I would have gone to med school.

In retrospect, though, I'm glad it worked out the way it did. I have a wonderful, supportive husband (happily married 22 years this August) and three wonderful kids. It doesn't get any better than that.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 14, 2005

I would NEVER go to med school. I like my family time WAY too much to practice medicine----or even advanced practice nursing (OB is my speciality). NO thanks.

BA2BSN · Jul 14, 2005

I will tell you what I told someone this weekend with they said why don't you just become a doctor: Because I don't want to be any damn doctor! A nurse is not a half-way doctor, a nurse is a nurse. *Maybe* I would get a master's later on, and not necessarily to be an NP, but that's about it!

tiquicia · Jul 14, 2005

I wish I had never talked myself out of medical school while back in college; I decided to pursue nursing instead and have since had many doubts about whether it was the right choice. Maybe I'm still seeking my niche. Anyway, the thought of changing course now is daunting.

sunnyjohn · Jul 14, 2005

I wish I had never talked myself out of medical school while back in college; I decided to pursue nursing instead and have since had many doubts about whether it was the right choice. Maybe I'm still seeking my niche. Anyway, the thought of changing course now is daunting.

Yes

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 14, 2005

Thought about it, but concluded that nursing would be more rewarding to me (bedside) not interesting in pursuing anything else not even management. Thinks and ideas may change down the road of course, but for now all I want to pursue is nursing in the bedside

Student_Nurse_WV · Jul 14, 2005

I thought about it, but I really hated how distant the physicians were from the patients when I volunteered at a local hospital. They walked into the pt room, gave a dx and left. The nurses and sometimes the therapists had to try to help the pt realize what the dx meant. I knew that that was not the type of person I was, am, or want to be.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jul 14, 2005

I am not a nurse but I want to be. I had thought about it but I decided that nurses help the patient feel better both physically and emotionally, and that second one is very important.

nurseabc123 · Jul 15, 2005

I have noticed that premeds are encouraged to do anything in medicine except go to nursing school! I've heard (through published books on being premedical, advisors, and other premeds) that the philosphy in nursing and medicine is very different. CrazyPremed

I have also heard this - medical schools do not want to "retrain" their students. Most med-schools get young 20 somethings with litte or no real clinical experience besides volunteer work. They get to "mold" them from the very beginning, however, a nurse would be much harder to "mold".

Is nursing philopshy that different from Osteopathic medicine? Osteopathic medicine seems to more aligned with nursing because they see the patient more hollistically and are more willing to accept/use natural/herbal/whatever treatments.

MikeyJ, RN · Aug 1, 2005

I have also heard this - medical schools do not want to "retrain" their students. Most med-schools get young 20 somethings with litte or no real clinical experience besides volunteer work. They get to "mold" them from the very beginning, however, a nurse would be much harder to "mold".
Is nursing philopshy that different from Osteopathic medicine? Osteopathic medicine seems to more aligned with nursing because they see the patient more hollistically and are more willing to accept/use natural/herbal/whatever treatments.

I guess in a sensible sort of way, they are similar but yet very very different. Osteopathic medical schools may have an extra class in their curriculum designed to teach the science of osteopathy, but as far as the rest of the curriculum goes, it is the same as the M.D. route. If you talk to a D.O. and then a M.D., you will soon realize that they are really no different. They were basically educated on the same principles of doctoring as a physician.

And as the original question goes about thoughts concerning medical school. I continually second guess myself whether me going into nursing is right for me. I am still a nursing student, so I could easily change routes. As for now, I think I am making the right choice. But if for some reason I have made the wrong choice, I can easily take the rest of my pre-req's for medicaly school while working and apply a few years down the road. But for now, time can only tell, and I am going to make the best of my current situation and experiences. :)

AKAKatydid · Aug 2, 2005

We have a few MD's in my family. I didn't want to go that route. Apples and oranges, my dears!!

I had a nurse instructor that explained it once - best way I've ever heard it: "Doctors treat diseases and conditions. Nurses treat people". ...Amen.

I also agree with ali gator... it is a long wait for those of us who WANT to be a nurse to get into school. I'm sure I'm going to get clobbered for this one, but I'll say it: If you don't want to get into the nursing profession, please don't take those coveted seats. Remember these critical nursing shortages when you transfer in for all the wrong reasons.

ftr_bb_catchr · Aug 2, 2005

I also agree with ali gator... it is a long wait for those of us who WANT to be a nurse to get into school. I'm sure I'm going to get clobbered for this one, but I'll say it: If you don't want to get into the nursing profession, please don't take those coveted seats. Remember these critical nursing shortages when you transfer in for all the wrong reasons.

No clobbering here... I have long said that the number of people going into nursing because their mom, dad, teacher, counselor, friend told them to is WAY TOO HIGH! I can't you the number of people in my pre req's who told me they didn't even want to be a nurse, but ______ told them it was good money and they didn't even have to have a bachelors degree. Honey, if you don't want to be one now, why would that change after four years of school! Please move over for those of us who REALLY want it!