I am posting this here because I am hoping to gain a wide range of perspectives and opinions.
I know no one can make a decision but myself, however it is hard to choose when one cannot really know what a nurse does.
I've been in college for almost 3 years now. Began as pre-dental at a 4year university, made good grades and decided to check out nursing. I took a year of AP, have a 3.91 gpa (1 B freshman year) and really enjoyed all my sciences.
I received my acceptance letter today for LSU's BSN program. I am very grateful to be in this position.
However, I found myself wondering "why" a lot of times and a lot of professors telling me that the extra information is irrelevant.
So, I wonder if I really should finish my biology degree and apply to med school. I have 2 years left of pre-med/dent.
What really do RNs do? Have you any say in your patient's care? What is a care plan? Are you satisfied, if you had the opportunity, would you have pursued med school?
I *know* this can be like comparing apples to oranges but in many aspects, nursing and medicine are a lot alike.
I am 20 years old, I really do not know what career is best for me. However I don't want to waste time.
I could do the BSN and continue to take my premed courses over the summer in case I want to sit for the MCAT, but I may also find out that I love nursing.
I've been in a lot of hospitals and around sick people, I know the basics of what a RN does but I really cannot say if it is what I want to do. My advisor says a lot of people don't really know until they begin clinicals and either continue because they love it and its what they want, or leave and pursue other options.
I want to be a nurse because I *cliche* want to help people, I have a caring "nurse-curse" personality, nurturing, I want to be there around the patient to see them improve or get worse and to catch the problems before they get out of hand/notify the doctor. I could see myself working in ICU or ER. I like fast paced environments and I like challenges, and I hope I could find a career in nursing to satisfy that. I am also attracted to the 3 day 12 hr shift, so I can have flexibility to travel and have a family.
I want to be a physician because I am not sure if nursing will quench my thirst for knowledge. I am very interested in the diagnostic model of medicine and treating a disease (but how much can nurses do of that? I do not know). I am interested in pathology, neurology, and nephrology. I love learning, I really do.
So nurses... help me understand what you do. Anyone else in my situation, how have you arrived at a decision? What advice have you been given?