I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.
I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the hospital and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel like my status in life is so low compared to her.
Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years before becoming an LPN due to some unforeseen life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.
I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any nurses out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.
Age doesn't matter when it comes to doing what you want in life, your determination and motivation is what matters. We had a woman in our LPN class who was 58, just starting her nursing career. And I just heard a paramedic who is in his mid-40s talk about how he is working toward his ADN, will then go on to get his BSN, and then go for his CRNA. If you want it bad enough to fight for it, then it's yours! Also, there is nothing wrong with being an LPN! Most of us are very happy with it, as long as you are happy with your job, then that is what is most important. Not status.
I don't know. I feel like you just realize you did wrong by becoming an LPN once you saw your classmate. Honestly I think you ( unintentionally) let other people belittle you by their success. And that is never right.
This is what occurred to me as well.
Dear OP, please look deep within yourself and figure out whether this unhappiness stems from jealousy or a true desire (independent from outside influences.) If you are sure that you'd regret not being a doctor, regardless you met this classmate or not, then I urge you to strive for it with no hesitation!
I really empathize with you because just like you, life circumstances led me to become an LVN years ago, but I always longed for something else. I was at some point pretty serious about medical school too, although my interests led me to other sciences eventually, and then chose the path of RN after considering many things.
There are many things why I decided against medical school, but I won't go into that. Why do you so desire to be an MD, aside from the apparent prestige of the title, and it being your childhood dream? I just wonder if you'd still feel the same way after knowing exactly what the schooling and job entail, not to mention the overall cost.
If you really know what you're getting into and you have the money and brain for it, no, your age is not a problem. I've seen and heard of plenty other people who did it successfully in med school at a much older age.
I get where you are coming from. However; she may be looking at you with a husband, home and kids thinking she lost out on a lot being in med school. I have a friend who works at Boston Gen as an MD, no kids because of med school and now she's lost the chance. If you really want it...go get it! It's never too late. 30 is not too old!
It's not to late. I would just start working towards that though and stop with the RN. You will take on some serious debt, but some facilities will offer loan repayment as part of your benefit package as an MD. Talk with your spouse and make a family decision.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
You're not too old to become a doctor. I deal with this problem a little because I also wanted to become a physician, but instead decided to stay home and raise kids until i started the education required to become a nurse at age 30. I think you need to decide what it is that you want and then go for it. You are not too old to become a doctor. Working as a nurse is not lower than working as a doctor, those jobs are different. In my area, some RNs get paid as much as or more than some MDs. There are websites devoted to talking about medical school and on those people are mentioned who went to medical school in spite of being older or having kids. There's nothing stopping you from achieving your goals but yourself.
As others have posted, as long as you are alive/healthy it is not too late - age is a number and that "I'm too old for..." it a dated concept. I know someone who was a pilot for decades..in his early 50's he decided to go to medical school - graduated just before he hit 60 and works as an ER physician and is 71 and you would NOT know it. He is excellent at his job and his previous life experience helped serve him.
As far as student debt, I understand that..I have it to but you can defer it while in school and now, with the new programs in place you may be able to get forgiveness loans by going into med school and then practicing for a few years and some programs now the debt is forgiven after 20 yrs of payment..I know that sounds like a lot time and it is but I personally if being an MD is your dream then that is more important then the "what ifs" - at least try
could have, shoukd have, would have.... I see many doctors around my age at work. 80 hra at least at the hospital making peanuts, wasting their youth there... I feel the apposite of envy! I usually piy the residents! ( at least the attendings get paid more). i am suprised so many people do go through with it! I have seen some interns over 30.
It's never too late. One of my good friends became a Pediatrician and we had always planned on going to medical school together. So I know how you feel.
If it is taking you 10 years to go through nursing school, what makes you think you would have made it through medical school back then anyways? Things are always harder when you have a family to worry about too, but not impossible. Good luck whatever route you choose.
Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,816 Posts
I really dislike working with doctors that think of nurses as "low". I would hate to think of anyone going into medicine for the status.