Help me choose the right healthcare profession!

[JRJR]

Hello everyone! I am a 21 year old male college student that recently got accepted into a BSN program.(yay me :)) Although, for awhile, my goals have been set on pursuing a nursing career, I have also been quite interested in the path to becoming a doctor. I know it's true that some nurses become doctors, and volunteering at a hospital is the only experience I've had at observing these two professions.

So I am asking if you experienced healthcare professionals could give me some insight into how the two different roles play out in the healthcare system. What kind of skills are preferred in each profession? What kind of responsibilities are expected in each career?(in general) What is it that motivates people to endure medical school and become doctors? If I realize I want to become a doctor, will it be a waste of time to become an RN first?

Time and money aren't an issue for me; I just want to choose a career path that suits me.

Thanks much

JR

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

Have you considered becoming a Nurse Practitioner? If so, continue the path your on - BUT if you heart desire is to become a Medical Doctor, follow that dream if you can. MUCH LUCK!!!

[RoyalPrince]

oh man if time and money were no issue when I was 21, I would have plunged head on and right into becoming a MD.. go for it!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

MD's are making less and less each year due to cuts in insurance benefits. Some CRNA's earn more than MD's. You can always change your mind later. I have known two nurses who changed careers and became MD's. One was the father of the other nurse.

[Juwon]

Have you ever heard of Physician Assistants's aka PA's? They gey paid nicely and they do pretty much everything that a doctor do, just as long as a physican supervise them.You can get an associates, bachelors, or masters as a physician assistant. Its a quick way to doing the things that a doctor do, without going to grueling Med School, however, if you want to go to Med School, by all means go for it.

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

if you do end up choosing medicine, i have one suggestion: stay in the US. do not by any means go to medschool in the Caribbean. its not worth it. its cheap but the education and ethics is not the same. i wish you the best of luck.

[neuroms]

If you want to go directly into medical school after finishing your B.S., it might be a waste to make it a BSN as you won't really have a chance to practice. If you want to take a couple years to gain some healthcare experience before matriculation, which is a good idea being young, then get your RN. You might even decide on advanced practitioner training.

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

My 2 cents: nurse practicioner or physical therapist. BOTH in current demant, BOTH will likely be in demand in the future. I seriously doubt you could go wrong with either.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Have you ever heard of Physician Assistants's aka PA's? They gey paid nicely and they do pretty much everything that a doctor do, just as long as a physican supervise them.You can get an associates, bachelors, or masters as a physician assistant. Its a quick way to doing the things that a doctor do, without going to grueling Med School, however, if you want to go to Med School, by all means go for it.

Hmmmmm.....really? In which state can you become a Physicians' Assistant with an Associates Degree?

Or for that matter, with a Bachelors' Degree?

Do tell.....

[tswim]

Although most require a Masters degree, there are a handful of BS PA programs:

http://www.pct.edu/catalog/majors/BPA.shtml

http://www.cpnahs.howard.edu/AHS/Pa/Curriculum.htm

JR,

If you want the career that comes with the most autonomy, respect, and income, and you're willing to work long and hard for the rest of you life, then becoming a physician might be for you. MDs make $200 to >$400K per year, depending on specialty.

If work-life balance is a priority, then the PA or NP routes are a better option. NPs and PAs are mid-level practitioners that require a 2-3 year Master's degree. PA/NPs make $80-100K per year. CRNAs average $150K/yr; which is why it's such a popular option among nurses.

The RN route would be a good step towards PA, NP, or (required for) CRNA, but is not a good time investment if you want to become an MD.

Personally, I think the best option is PA. Takes 2 years to get a Master's degree, then you can work day shift, no weekends, no call, 40hrs a week (if you're choosey about the job you take); and you can change specialties without extra schooling. Given where you are in your education, you could even do one of the Bachelor's PA programs; or you could choose any other major, while getting a lot of volunteer medical experience (needed for the PA route), and then do the Master's.

Or if you know you want to do anesthesia, then BSN to CRNA is a good option too.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Shadow both.