Nursing and then Medicine: Wrong profession?

fins · Mar 5, 2008

So, I summarize, am I thinking of leaving the nursing profession and going into medicine for the wrong reasons?
Thank you for your input.

Yes, you are.

You're talking about several more years of school and a boatload of debt, and why? Because of how you think others are going to perceive you. That's not just wrong, it's childish.

Look, there's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to be a doctor, but be a doctor because you want to be a doctor, not because you want to be admired.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 5, 2008

I think both your reasons for considering medical school are definitely still prevalent in society, even if they aren't valid. You need to just stop caring what other people think. Yes, there is a sort of prestige that comes with being a physician, but at what personal cost? People don't think of the hundreds of hours (or thousands) on call in the hospital, instead of time for you, friends and family. Some would consider 200-300k worth of debt worth it. Not me. I get enough satisfaction and autonomy out of my nursing career, and knowing that I will have plenty of time to leave work, and enjoy my home, friends and family without having to worry about paying the loans off, or getting called back into work. Your family and friends seem to respect you and your choices, and you seem to enjoy your present career. Nursing offers many choices. I wouldn't base my career on what others think. I'd base it on what I want to do, and what I'm awesome at.....

Apollorn · Mar 5, 2008

Thank you for your replies.

To an extent I agree my desire to enter medicine is based solely on prestige; however, the independence that accompanies the responsiblity of physicians is a very alluring factor. It's great that you replied, SteveRN21 because I see that you are a (soon-to-be) NP. How is the program thus far? I have considered the NP route (again, due to more independence) but am unsure of the future of NPs. Could you enlighten me on the practice of an NP?

I have an appointment set up next week to shadow a local NP which I think would be helpful but it'd be nice to hear what it's like in the States and from a student perspective.

bluefabian · Mar 5, 2008

I am so over that stage and now I am loving my job as a nurse more than ever. I don't care about prestige anymore because if I do, then I am living my life for other people. And as for independence in job - I can attest that nurses have that too - in fact in excess. I have so many memories of events of which I was the sole healthcare provider at the time - trying the best to give the best treatment: be it emergencies or long term care.

Nurses make a difference to the health of people - more than you ever realized. In some cases more than what doctors do - they treat the disease, correct the disequilibrium. But who guides the patient through the pathway of goodness, who maintains the equilibrium? You'll be surprised.

Just understand that nurses and doctors are two different jobs altogether. To think that people who opt to do nursing because they are not smart enough to do medicine is so wrong (but hey, it is still around).

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 5, 2008

To answer your question about NPs, you can get a lot more info by heading over to the Advanced Practice Nursing forum... I am almost halfway through my part-time Neonatal NP program, and I like it so far. NPs work in several different capacities. Some are employed within physician groups along with PAs, they write the same orders and see the same patients. NPs can practice independently in most states, but most NPs in the acute care system still have some form of physician backup. Where I work right now, the NNPs work with house physicians and PAs underneath the supervision of the attendings. They provide the same level of care as the house docs and PAs, in my experience. I am pursuing my NNP in order to better understand the pathophysiology and "why's" behind what we do in NICU. I will also have an expanded role in delivery room management, transport, procedures (intubation, PICCs, chest tubes, etc) as well as managing 6-8 patients by myself. I will sorely miss being a bedside nurse once I graduate, but will also enjoy the new freedoms and opportunities this new role will bring.

Apollorn · Mar 6, 2008

I recently discovered how to maneuver about the site which has opened up a lot of new forums for me to peruse. Thank you, Steve.

What exactly is a PA (physician assistant, I'm assuming?)? I don't believe we have those in Canada. I guess, for the most part, we have our LPNs, RNs, NPs, Techs, and the docs. I don't think I've ever seen or met a PA but I see it mentioned quite a bit in the ANP forum.

Dr.Nurse2b · Mar 6, 2008

Hello, all!
I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school. I'm starting to wonder why I am thinking of going into medicine. I think a major influencing factor of going to the medical route is the stigma of male nurses and the prestige a physician has as opposed to a nurse. Do you think those are the wrong reasons of becoming a doctor? Thus far I've received a lot of positive feedback on my nursing and I agree, I am pretty good at it. It may seem arrogant but I am very confident in my abilities up to now although I am aware of the many things I have yet to encounter and learn.
So, I summarize, am I thinking of leaving the nursing profession and going into medicine for the wrong reasons?
Thank you for your input.

I worked in X-ray some time ago...I made friends with a Radiologist and asked him a similar question...we spent quite a bit of time discussing med school and "would have, could have".

What I took away from those conversations is...if you are question whether or not to go...then you should NOT go. Because if you truly wanted to be a doctor the question would be "how do I go to medical school" ... not "should I go". So I believe you've already answered your own question...

Identify your passion and then pursue it...

When I decided to go to nursing school I was working as an EMT. I admired doctors but I was drawn to nurses. I am blessed...I can talk to anyone and blend easily...I have shared lunch with docs, beers with respiratory, dinner with radiologists but nurses shared my life. My friends and family thought I was a good "nurse"... I take care of people...I nurse people. I am a nurse...now I am in school earning a BSN and will become an RN.

So my advice to you is...ask yourself..."Am I a nurse?" ... "Am I a Doctor?". You are the only one that knows the answer.

Who are your people? ...the peeps that hang with you at the hospital...Are they Techs? PA? Docs? Or do you find yourself eating lunch with nurses?

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck then it must be a duck...or an ICU nurse on 2nd shift. :nuke:

PS. The fact you are asking this question in allnurses.com may be an indication that you are in fact a nurse.

PPS If this is not enough info then search for a career test. I took one back in 1995...Nurse was #1 on my top 10.

Whatever the answer is...that answer is inside of you.

Oh yeah...one last thing...aren't you in "NURSING SCHOOL"? Smells like an RN to me. :nuke:

nursemike, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2008

I kind of agree that medical school is a pretty big commitment to undertake with an equivocal attitude or for the reasons you expressed, but that isn't to say it definitely isn't for you. Since you're already a nurse and on track for an RN, I'd suggest going with that for a bit, then reevaluating your position after a year or two. You'll be working with doctors (assuming you work in a hospital environment) and nurses, and the decision may become clearer for you.

I wouldn't fret about any "stigma" for male nurses. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but in my experience, it isn't widespread. The views of a small-minded few shouldn't deter you if nursing is something you love.

As for the prestige of being a doctor, that's a bit like the money--it's there, for sure, but it's a long time coming. I work nights, so I mostly talk to residents. I have a lot of respect for them, but their lives are not pretty. They earn about what I do, have even worse hours, and have to listen to patients who want to see the "real" doctor, attending physicians who can talk to them in ways they'd never get away with talking to a nurse, and sometimes even some attitude from nurses who aren't beyond eating other professions' young. (I don't see a lot of the latter two. As a rule, if our attendings correct their residents, they do it out of public view, and our experienced nurses tend to behave professionally toward even the first-year residents. But they surely aren't immune to abuse, and don't get nearly the repect they deserve from some patients.)

Personally, I think I'd rather just embrace the stereotype and marry a doctor...

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 6, 2008

Personally, I think I'd rather just embrace the stereotype and marry a doctor...

Amen Brother!!! (after they've paid their loans off, but are still decent to look at)

Apollorn · Mar 7, 2008

Personally, I think I'd rather just embrace the stereotype and marry a doctor...

lol. I enjoyed that. Thank you for all your insight.

Stringer · Mar 7, 2008

Hi tanthalas and all,

I dropped out of pre-med (biology major) half way through my senior year. I was already a RN, making top grades, and pretty much been invited to apply to a couple medical schools.

Why did I drop out?

I realized I was doing it because my culture held MDs in the highest esteem. It was expected that anyone who could, should. Men in nursing who are good at it will receive a kind of respect from the other nurses that physicians rarely do.

I did not like the attitudes of my peers; tissue technicians. I really liked hanging with the nurses more than the doctors. Even the women in medicine can be intolerably macho.

I realized my heart was not in it--too type B. I like operating below radar, which is what my RN allows me to do. I realized I really didn't care about the prestige. I don't care if people think I'm gay. I don't care that people think I would have been a good doctor. I really don't even care about the money.

At the University teaching hospital I work at, the veteran nurses are highly respected, and their input is translated to plan of care and Attending MD orders often above even resident level MDs.

Nursing has its up and down sides, like anything, but it has given me the freedom AND finances to pursue the other loves of my heart: family (insert major cardiac emoticon here), surfing, art, and without the pre-load of expectations that always goes with the MD.

How many doctors report liking their jobs?

I rest my case.

Hello, all!
I'm a third year RN student working as an LPN. I"m thinking of going into medicine once I graduate with my RN degree, although I will need to return for at least two more years of pre-reqs for medical school. I'm starting to wonder why I am thinking of going into medicine. I think a major influencing factor of going to the medical route is the stigma of male nurses and the prestige a physician has as opposed to a nurse. Do you think those are the wrong reasons of becoming a doctor? Thus far I've received a lot of positive feedback on my nursing and I agree, I am pretty good at it. It may seem arrogant but I am very confident in my abilities up to now although I am aware of the many things I have yet to encounter and learn.
So, I summarize, am I thinking of leaving the nursing profession and going into medicine for the wrong reasons?
Thank you for your input.