I have a serious question

sandanrnstudent · Jul 31, 2011

I like the confidence to go to med school.

K nurse-one-day · Jul 31, 2011

Im assuming this is a joke question.

I hope you have some burn ointment cause you're about to get flamed my friend

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

I didn't want to be a doctor - simple.

Besides, docs get sued.

snow_bear · Jul 31, 2011

Medical school is 4 years AFTER the initial 4-year Bachelor's degree. That's a total of 8 years of schooling, then comes the internships and residency. Big difference from the 3-5 years it takes to get an R.N.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

For me, it's all about lifestyle. I have an associate's degree, earn in the $70k range per year, have a small student loan, and work only three days per week. I get to enjoy four days off per week, which is very important to me because I love unstructured free time. In addition, I do not want 24-hour responsibility over my patients.

The physicians that I know work six, sometimes seven days per week. Their days start early in the morning, and they sometimes do not get home to their families until late at night. Also, all of the female doctors that I know all had to postpone childbearing until later in life (mid-thirties and older) due to being in school many years. Some of these ladies cannot get pregnant because they are at an age where their fertility has waned. Moreover, the average doctor has massive student loans.

Being a doctor is an admirable, prestigious, and respectable lifestyle that I do not want. While I'd love to be earning a six-figure salary, I'll forgo the money for a decent quality of life.

skulskcc01 · Jul 31, 2011

Medical school is 4 years AFTER the initial 4-year Bachelor's degree. That's a total of 8 years of schooling, then comes the internships and residency. Big difference from the 3-5 years it takes to get an R.N.

That's what I thought too.

WKredz5 · Jul 31, 2011

Ya I got you. The hours do suck, heh. But... you're a DOCTOR!

Damn though, If I could land a 70k a year job working 3 hours a week after 2 years of school I'd **** my self from excitement. What state are you from?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

I mean a BSN program is 4 years. Medical is five.

Doctors:

1. Baccalaureate degree - 4 years

2. Medical school - 4 years

3. Residency (family practice) - 3 years

-----------------------------------------------

Grand total to become a doctor is 11+ years, with more time if the doc wants a specialty such as IM, pediatrics, cardiology, anesthesiology, etc. A person can become a nurse in a fraction of the time.

What state are you from?

I live in Texas and earn $36 hourly, plus shift differentials for night shift. After you factor in the differentials, it adds up to $40+ per hour.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

It's kind of like asking why I didn't want to be a lawyer or a teacher. The answer = I wanted to be a nurse. Really not difficult to understand.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

Ya I got you. The hours do suck, heh. But... you're a DOCTOR!
Damn though, If I could land a 70k a year job working 3 hours a week after 2 years of school I'd **** my self from excitement. What state are you from?

It's not 3 HOURS...she said 3 DAYS.

SNIXRN · Jul 31, 2011

it's not about the money. also, as others have stated, you have to get your bachelors degree first then continue on with a few years of med school, then residency, then chief, then fellowship. also, medicine and nursing are different. nurses are patient advocates. we actually get to know our patients and they greatly appreciate what we do. i would rather be a nurse and work 3 days a week for 45k than be a physician working 5 days a week, getting calls in the middle of the night, etc...