Torn between Nursing and Medicine

Nurses Career Support

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Hello! I've posted here multiple times about dilemma I pose: my love for both nursing and medicine. I am currently a pre-nursing student, but I'm a bit hazy about my potential future as a nurse. I love the nursing model; I want to care for a patient, not just treat their disease. Sadly, I love the medical model as well and I'm torn between the two. I've considered mid-level care, but I'm unsure of what I would be content with. For a time, I was highly considering DNP or CRNA, but cynics have stated I could finish med school in the same amount of time. :rolleyes:

If you haven't read my previous posts, I will give a summary of myself and the path I plan on taking. I just turned 17, but I've been in college since I was 16. I'm in my second semester of getting my pre-reqs for a BSN program and I have two more semesters left before I plan on applying for direct entry to aforementioned program. The program will take two years to complete, leaving me with summers sans schooling. I was contemplating taking the courses needed for medical school during the summer semesters "just in case". If all goes as planned, I will graduate with my BSN in 2014. As stated in my other posts, I have two specialties of choice: emergency medicine and global health. If I were to go the MD route, I would definitely be interested in trauma surgery (mainly why I was considering MD over NP).

I know that medical schools generally frown upon nursing degrees, but if I have a great GPA, high MCAT scores and the required courses, is there any reason I wouldn't be considered? I've been told that I shouldn't take up a spot in nursing school if I'm even considering medicine, but for the time being, nursing is what I want to do.

I guess my main questions are: Has anyone here considered medicine instead of nursing (or vice versa)? If so, what was the outcome? Do medical schools really oppose nursing degrees as much as it seems? For the DNPs or CRNAs...how do you feel about your job? Would you change anything about your choice of career?

Thanks so much!

Specializes in Neurosciences, cardiac, critical care.
As an example:

In a recent discussion (in my nursing program) about the etiology of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, only 2 of about 50 students (myself and another Biologist in a past life included) understood and could explain why X-linked recessive alleles are most often expressed in males. A reminder of the chromosomal differences between males and females was insufficient. The majority of the class was still wrapping their minds around the concept of allele pairs and gene inheritance/expression. To say that students are ill-prepared academically is an understatement.

Some folks will argue that that depth of knowledge is not necessary to perform competent bedside nursing care. While that may be true, the assertion casts a certain light on the "nursing as a profession and not a trade" argument.

Whether or not it will be actively utilized in daily professional performance, it will always be my firm belief that when you perform in a clinical environment where you are responsible for peoples lives, it is important to actually understand the scientific principles that drive and inform your interventions.

I just popped in to say...Really?? Wow. Makes me wonder about how the people in your class got into the school.

I would think that the majority of the people in my class (and any nursing school) would understand that concept. My program was really competitive to get into (you needed to get good grades and do well on the essay and interview).

I hafta second SerenePeach's comment.... really??? I'm pretty sure 1/4 of my class flunked the test in peds that had to do with recessive disorders, but only half of the people passed the class. My program (an ADN program) was competitive to get in, and to stay in. Only 12% of the class I started with graduated on time, but we have a 100% NCLEX pass rate so far from my class. Not that the NCLEX is that intellectually vigorous, but I would trust almost everyone in my graduating class to take care of me or my family/friends at the bedside.

Whether or not it will be actively utilized in daily professional performance, it will always be my firm belief that when you perform in a clinical environment where you are responsible for peoples lives, it is important to actually understand the scientific principles that drive and inform your interventions.

My reason for breathing...

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