Do you ever wish you were a doctor?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I feel like I'm asked this question surprisingly frequently, often by family and occasionally by friends, acquaintances, dates, and even patients. Maybe it's because I come from a family of doctors, or because many of close friends from my first degree were pre-med because nursing/pre-nursing on my campus didn't really exist.

I can say with honesty that I've never come home from a shift and thought, "I wish I was a doctor." However, there have been a handful of shifts where I've come home explicitly thinking, "Holy crap, I'm so glad I'm not a doctor." :rolleyes:

I briefly worked in x-ray during nursing school, and I found that some x-ray techs expressed regret that they hadn't become physicians. However, I think x-ray differs from nursing because there aren't as many opportunities for advancement (vs. nursing, where you have the option become an NP, CNS, etc., along with many non-clinical paths).

I'm just curious to see if other ANers are faced with this (well-intentioned but occasionally insulting) question. What's your go-to response?

I realize I didn't answer the question.

No, I don't wish I had gone to med school. Or anything else.

I love what I do. I believe in it. I'm good at it. I'm appreciated. I have great work relationships. I look forward to work on the worst days. And the good days lift my spirits like none other.

And I never compare it to medicine. Not because of loans or hours or anything. I picked the best fit for me, I don't have any second thoughts about it.

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

In my case, I was in the process of trying to get into med school when life intervened and I chose to let it go. I do regret it and I would certainly prefer to be an ED physician than be an ED nurse. This job suits me but given a choice between the two, I would choose the former.

In the rare times that it's been mentioned to me I say pretty much what I just said. It just wasn't in the cards.

Specializes in Med Surg/ Pedi, OR.

I play one on TV

I don't recall having ever been asked that. I've NEVER wanted to be an MD either....maybe I ooze that vibe. People have asked me if I've ever wanted to become a midwife tho. :)

Specializes in Critical Care.

No I value my sleep too much! Not to mention I'm not a workaholic, plus I'd never want to be in as much debt as it would take to be a Dr! And now even the doctors are as henpecked as we are with administration, not to mention patient satisfaction ratings. No Thanks!

Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Yes i wish I had been a doctor. Many years ago I remember walking across campus and going into the Medical School office and actually picking up an application. I was so ready but after sitting down and working it out in my mind I realized I couldn't afford it. I was alone and had to pay my rent. I'm not sure I was mature enough to be able to handle it back then. Now 20 years later I'm in NP school. It's the best of both worlds to me but I wish I had done it sooner.

no, I do not.

Yeah i wish i would have skipped out on the nursing stuff and done med school straight out. id be in my 2nd year of residency instead of first year in med school.

but i don't mind not having a life so yeah.

just depends on your goals and in what way you like helping patients though. not like either career path is more/less important than the other. need both to keep the ship afloat

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

C'mon, it's a sing along...

attachment.php?attachmentid=23311&stc=1

I'm a nurse and I'm OK

I sleep all night and I work all day.

He's a nurse and he's OK

He sleeps all night and he works all day

.

I start IVs, no time for lunch

I assess orientation x3.

On Wednesdays I go online and study for my degree

He starts IV, no time for lunch

He assesses orientation x 3.

On Wednesdays he goes online and studies for his degree

.

He's a nurse and he's OK

He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I start IVs, I skip and jump

I like to press wild flowers.

I don't put on doctor's clothing and hang around in bars.

He starts IV, he skips and jumps

He likes to press wild flowers.

He won't put on doctor's clothing and hang around in bars.

He's a nurse and he's OK

He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I start IVs, I wear my nurse ID,

Stethoscope, and some scrubs.

Never wish I'd been a doctor, just like my dear grandma.

He starts IVs, he wears his nurse ID

Stethoscope, and some scrubs

Never wish I'd been a doctor, just like my dear grandma..

...He's a nurse and he's OK

He works all night and he works all day.

...He's/I'm a nurse and he's/I'm OK

He/I work all night and most holidays.

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I play one on TV

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Holiday Inn Express - Doctor - YouTube

I only think it very rarely when it's difficult to get an order (calling night hospitalist for Tylenol is like pulling teeth). I have been asked a few times by patients and I tell them no, doctors schooling takes too long, long hours, more likely to be sued, high stress. I enjoy being a nurse, we have a good amount of responsibility. I don't want to spend my 20's working 80 hours a week, I want to spend time with my family, friends, and boyfriend. I don't think patients understand the concept fully. I've had patients ask "so are you going to go on to become a doctor?" They think it's only a few classes!

I haven't been asked that, and I don't wish I were a doctor. Sometimes, though, I wish I weren't in health care or at least, away from direct patient care.

Most of the time I'm fine with what I chose, which was in part based on my own unique set of circumstances.

+ Add a Comment