Nursing Future?

netglow, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

Sure you could find an fast nursing program. But you will pay $$ for it, as well as likely find yourself without a job when you graduate. So. If you can pay cash, and coast on savings and have a backup plan in case your backup plan doesn't work, then go for it.

deann52 · Dec 1, 2011

Are you unable to take the test for med school again? With doing well in med school perhaps you just need a better study and test taking strategy for your chosen career. You got into med school, a shame to not finish if there is a way...

I did an ABSN. They are fast and expensive but they get you to the NCLEX. Good luck!

Altra, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

Yes, you are a perfect candidate for an ABSN.

Some things to consider:

1. employment prospects for nurses in your area, or the area to which you would intend to relocate.

2. whether or not you really want to be a nurse. I say this because ... life is too short to be miserable. I've recently interacted with a couple of midlevels who are clearly frustrated that they are not physicians, and this is not good for them or for their patients.

Good luck to you. :)

TheDreamJourney · Dec 1, 2011

If you want to be a nurse you should apply for ABSN program. All you need is a BA and pre-requisites which varies depending on the school. I think you are a good applicant. But make sure that nursing is what you really want. Nurses and doctors have two different roles in the medical field. Nurses are responsible for a patients holistic care and doctors do most of the diagnosing. Perhaps, nurse practioner would be of interest to you. Good Luck on your future endeavors! :specs:

Summers_Off · Dec 1, 2011

What about PA? Not that I don't think nursing is GREAT :loveya:... just a suggestion based on your personal history. G/L

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

Yes, you are a perfect candidate for an ABSN.
Some things to consider:
1. employment prospects for nurses in your area, or the area to which you would intend to relocate.
2. whether or not you really want to be a nurse. I say this because ... life is too short to be miserable. I've recently interacted with a couple of midlevels who are clearly frustrated that they are not physicians, and this is not good for them or for their patients.
Good luck to you. :)

^^^This.

If I'd known then what I know now...

Nursing these days is 60% administrative hoop jumping.

I'd rather be solving patient's medical problems and diagnosing, than stuffing charts, virtual or otherwise, with redundant data; spending 10 minutes proving I did something that took two minutes to do.

Of course physicians are similarly frustrated...

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

I completed 2 years of medical school. I took the USMLE exam twice and wasnt able to pass it. I am considering nursing to stay in the medical field. Is it possible for me to be involved in an accelerated nursing program? I have a BS in Psychobiology from a university in New York. I have done well in all my medical school classes. What should I do?

If you don't want to try, try again, think about CRNA or Cardiovascular Perfusionist. Both have a high level of autonomy, decent salaries ($100k range +/-), peer respect, and keep you hands-on in a technical and medical, problem solving capacity.

Then again, don't give up if you have your heart set on a certain career path.

Some of the best practicing clinical minds I've woked with, both MD and RN...suck at test-taking.

Some of the best test-takers...suck at clinical application.

I once worked with an ER RN who took two times to pass her boards, and barely did so at that. She was the most intuitive, clincally retentive, and intelligent RN I've ever worked with.

yuzzamatuzz · Dec 1, 2011

I completed 2 years of medical school. I took the USMLE exam twice and wasnt able to pass it. I am considering nursing to stay in the medical field. Is it possible for me to be involved in an accelerated nursing program? I have a BS in Psychobiology from a university in New York. I have done well in all my medical school classes. What should I do?

People go to med school and to nursing school for very different reasons. I went into nursing because I love taking care of people. I don't want to diagnose or prescribe, I want to be at my patient's bedside helping them through the good and the bad. For me, nursing was anything but a backup to med school. I graduated at the top of my class from one of the top universities in the country and I have never considered med school because it's just not for me. Similarly, one of my roommates is in med school and she truly loves the medical role and nursing just wouldn't be for her. My point is that nurses and doctors have very different roles in the hospital, and nursing is not a "backup" career to med school. Some people are meant to be nurses and some are meant to be doctors...two very different people go into each. I worry that if you become a nurse you will forever wonder "what if" because nursing was only your backup plan. The job market is really bad for nurses right now despite the "nursing shortage" you may have heard about (just search new grad nurse on this forum and you'll see what I mean...). If you don't have a passion for nursing, this will come through on job interviews and you won't get a job. If you truly want to be a nurse and feel that you will love that role in the hospital, then I would be honored to have you be my fellow co-worker. But if you really want to be a doctor, don't let your failures dictate your future and by all means take the USMLE again. Good luck.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

Just remember...cleaning vomit and bloody stool is totally different than sitting in an office reading labs results.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

I don't know what the USMLE is but I bet they have training classes and supplemental study guides you could get to pass it.

I would review what parts you are weak on if they give you that info and if not think about what type of questions trip you up and study those.

I would not give up just yet, medical school is so expensive, you've come this far. Get a tutor or use a class or supplement before just walking away!

Going into nursing you will face the same type of exams and you need to pass nursing boards. Also there is a great difference in pay and working conditons between nursing and medicine.

Have you talked with your medical school advisor or any med school instructor about this exam? Get their feedback and ideas as well! Don't give up, if you can analyze what went wrong you can still succeed! I've read even the bar (lawyers) can take multiple times to pass! I know nurses who had to retake their boards and though it was demoralizing and hard they eventually passed and became good nurses!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

This is what gets to me. I see SO many posts re students/young people who want to do nursing and 'can't wait to get into medicine!' Nursing IS NOT medicine. You have to realise that, as you will probly be disappointed and hate it. It is very different from being a doctor or ultimately, a surgeon.

Can't you study all your material again and sit your exam again? I reckon you're selling yourself short by becoming a nurse if you can become a doctor, and that is NOT a slur on some of the fantastic nurses I've worked with. I think you will have more opportunities as a doctor.

What else can u use your BS for in the meantime? I'd contact your university & have a talk with the career counsellor or your old lecturer there maybe.

I also think young people should not go into nursing, as they aren't prepared to deal with the life & death of it all - you see some horrid sights I think - and they aren't mature enough to handle other people's problems. I'd encourage you to do something else if ur still young. You can always switch to nursing later. But just remember it is not medicine.

Good luck, & let us know how u get on.