Pretty much I've been feeling depressed/stressed because my parents don't fully accept my career choice as a nurse. In the eyes and minds of my parents, they envision a light of prestige and raining money wherever doctors live. They grew up with very little and I realize that these are very important issues for them. However, they don't understand that a nursing career can be just as rewarding.
I can't seem to find the words that will turn the switch in their outdated minds from off to on in which they will understand how truly wonderful a nursing career can be. My Dad always emphasizes the fact that if I just study a little harder I could become a doctor if I wanted. Yes, my grades are definitely not up to par with medical school standards, but that's not why I chose nursing. Which brings me to my next point.
They do not realize that my goals can be just as difficult as med school. I plan to attain my BSN then go onto CRNA in the future. Maybe it's because CRNA is an uncommon term to the arrogant public, but even after trying to explain what they do, how much they make, and how difficult it is to get into anesthesia school, they still tell me that being a doctor will be better.
I really respect and care about what my parents say and think, but this is my life. I don't know where I'm going with this. I think this is more of a rant then anything. Has anyone else gone through something similar? If so, how did you get over it?
tell them plenty of nurses have changed their minds later and then atttended medical school. It is still an option. Also, due to the new healthcare laws and levels of reimbursesment, the raining money days may be history for MD's.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
There are times when I almost wish I were 20 years younger, because I think I might have gone on to medical school after a few years of being a nurse. I once knew a pediatrician who'd been an RN in her 20s, and nursing really added a dimension to her practice that might not have been there otherwise. I'm pretty sure I would've liked being a doctor, and been a good one. But I got started relatively late in life, and I couldn't go back to school now even if I wanted to.
Then again, I've heard so many med-school horror stories from my psychiatrist that I'm almost glad I didn't go! LOL
Seriously though, this decision is yours and yours alone. No one has the right to tell you what you should be when you grow up. Nursing and medicine, though intertwined, are separate arts and sciences......one doesn't "just" become a nurse and then go to med school. Unless, of course, they want to. :)
My father was a physician and so were most of his friends. I grew up around them -- and I had the grades (and financing) to become anything I wanted to become. They ALL thought my decision to be a nurse with a graduate degree was a wise one. My dad would say, "Become one of those specialist nurses. They make a good living and are not tied down by owning a practice."
That's what I did and I have never regreted not becoming a physician.
Funny thing ... it was my mother and grandmothers who wanted me to become a physician instead. I figured that was because of the prestige and because of their feelings of having limited choices when they were young. But I didn't let their regrets be the deciding factor for me. And I figured that the physicians in my life knew what they were talking about -- and I could see for myself how tied down they were to their practices, stressed, in debt, etc.
Parents don't always know best. My mom is constantly saying why don't you go to grad school? I asked her the same thing. They don't understand how hurtful their words can be.
classicdame, MSN, EdD
7,255 Posts
tell them plenty of nurses have changed their minds later and then atttended medical school. It is still an option. Also, due to the new healthcare laws and levels of reimbursesment, the raining money days may be history for MD's.