Parents won't support my decision

crNURSEa2b · Mar 5, 2009

Although it IS your decision, the big-scheme fact is that nursing and medicine are different animals. That's the big deal. Nursing is a true hands-on, get your hands dirty, touch-people profession. Medicine is an order-a-test, write order for the nurses, read-an-Xray kind of profession. Of course, people may argue a bit, but there is a difference between ordering care and delivering care.

So if you are a hands-on, care-giving person (or that's your personality, or what you'd like to do), then nursing is a wise choice. If you want to be able to diagnose...and differentially diagnose...and maybe throw a few orders around here and there, medicine may be your route. Sure, there are many VERY hands-on physicians, but most are all about numbers and (the good ones) are excellent at information synthesis, not as good at information gathering.

That said, anesthesia blurs the line a bit.

MDA's have more science background, knowledge, memorization, and privileges than most CRNA's, but the care they provide is usually quite comparable in the OR. The RN in CRNA is still registered nurse...so I do believe the mindset remains different, though the outcome and goal (safe delivery of anesthesia) is the same for both professions.

It will be VERY difficult to justify it to the parents....but, quite simply, "I'd rather be a nurse than a doctor" is the bottom line.

I started out as a pre-med (biochem) major...and while in school, I worked as an ED tech and then an OR tech. I became intimately familiar with the roles of both physicians and nurses. I knew (without hesitation) that I would much prefer to be a nurse than a physician. I don't have the personality of a physician. PROVIDING care, not prescribing care, is my preference.

Good luck with your parents!

Outdoor1 · Mar 6, 2009

I am not Indian, but have worked with some and understand how your culture is affecting this decision. They probably just don't realize what we do as CRNA's. I know in your culture if you aren't a doctor, lawyer, or business owner you just aren't considered successful. Maybe point out to them that you actually want to administer anesthesia, not supervise it. This is pretty much the trend today with anesthesia. There aren't many MDA's who still administer their own anesthesia any more.

Good luck with your decision and convincing your folks that it's a good one.

O

SICUTOCRNA · Mar 6, 2009

From your previous post should I assume you have been admitted into a crna program? and I would assume you are an rn? I am not indian, however, i am very close to my parents and their opinion is very important to me. I would start by educating them on what a crna is, what they do and what type of income you would make. I would point out the cost of medical school vs crna and the time commitment. In addition, if you are a nurse i would discuss with them your desire to practice as a nurse--personally i have never wanted to be a doctor--I am a nurse and want to further my education as a nurse. I know indian crnas in fact the person who encouraged me to pursue crna (my mentor) is indian. He came to this country as a pharmacist and went to nursing school--then onto crna and holds a phd. He has been very successful and is very happy practicing as crna. There have been times in my life when my parents have not initially agreed with my choices and I chose to not follow their advice--they were upset with me, however, they finally realized that I chose what was best for me(I realize that this may be very difficult or impossible for you--but if it is what you truly want -make your case and try to have them understand how important this is for you) good luck!:)

WalkieTalkie, RN · Mar 10, 2009

My mom is constantly pestering me with this exact same scenario! The truth is, I used to want to be a doctor. However, (long story I won't go into), I got kicked out of high school, got a GED and started college early. I had some mental health issues going on the first time I was in college, and I had a crappy GPA, and ended up dropping out.

I was a CNA at age 16, so after dropping out of college, I started working in the ICU, and I got my head together, and took pre-reqs for nursing school, and did well in those classes. I graduated from nursing school with a 3.92 GPA and I'm now finishing up the pre-reqs for CRNA.

My mother keeps bugging me about med school, but I just don't feel that it's for me any more. For one thing, I just turned 27, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life being someone's slave. Just think about it, 4 years in med school, 3-5 years of residency, a few years as a fellow (I'd definitely want to specialize). Heck, by the time I was on my own as a doctor, I'd be in my mid 40s, and would have missed out on a lot of things in life. Not worth it, in my opinion! Plus, think of how expensive it is too! I'd be at retirement age when I finally got my student loans paid off... no thanks!

I like my job in the CVICU, and I am very excited about being a CRNA some day, but my mom just can't get it out of her head... and it's starting to drive me nuts!

My_brain_hurts · Mar 10, 2009

How much do your parents really understand what a CRNA does? I wonder if THEY could shadow? Seriously, if they saw first hand what a CRNA does they might very well change how they feel. You could become a doctor and become a general med/family doctor and make around as much (or less) in terms of money, and you would not be doings as technically challenging a job (this is my opinion, no offense to any general practice NPs/MDs out there) as you would be doing administering anesthesia.

Get them hooked up with a CRNA and let them see:D

I know it's easy to say "it's your life, forget what your parents say" but I know it's not that easy. At the very least you want your parents to be proud of you and happy with your decision. And if you are living with them or if they are significantly supporting you through school --and that will be removed if they don't agree with you-- that's really tough. Doesn't matter your culture or religion or where you are from, parents are parents and kids are kids!

Best of luck to you. Let us know how things go. Hopefully we'll see you posting questions about interviews and admissions soon! :typing:

Queen Tiye, CNA · Jan 9, 2011

try explaining your absolute delight with the thought of being a meaningful part of healthcare . . . respectfully lay out crna course work . . . including the average pay could only help . . . let them know the history of crna's . . . that they were administering anesthesia before doctors even knew how.

they may very well be impressed with your research and how much money you'll make . . . you know how parents can be sometimes!

futureRNMena · Jan 10, 2011

Im honest when I say forget (i had something else here but didnt want to hurt anyone) them!!! I thought that was what I wanted to do but after working at a hospital I love the hustle of a nurse. period My parents and aunt hound me still with smug remarks "I dont you to become a nurse anything, be a doctor!"

As Jay-z puts it " They can tell you how to do it, but they never did it"

Stay focused and do your best at whatever you decide.

edogs334 · Jan 12, 2011

Im honest when I say forget (i had something else here but didnt want to hurt anyone) them!!! I thought that was what I wanted to do but after working at a hospital I love the hustle of a nurse. period My parents and aunt hound me still with smug remarks "I dont you to become a nurse anything, be a doctor!"
As Jay-z puts it " They can tell you how to do it, but they never did it"

EXACTLY!! So many people over the last few years have said to me "well, why not just become a doctor?" As if it's such an easy thing to do to just take the pre-med courses, go to medical school, go through residency and Voila! you pop out with MD after your name at the other end. I wonder if they would have asked me that question if I was female (I'm a guy). To reiterate what Jay Z said, these same people have no clue about what exactly doctors do and what they had to do to earn their title(s). After being an ED Tech myself and seeing the grueling hours some of the attendings worked (ie- administrative duties from 7am-3pm, clinical shift 3pm-11pm, finish charting from 11pm-1am) I had to say "thanks, but no thanks." Plus MDs basically lock themselves into one specialty- it's very hard to do another residency in a different specialty if they get sick of the one they're in. Nursing's a lot more flexible- it's a profession where you can have lots of different, challenging roles throughout your career and still retire comfortably (without even leaving a particular hospital, in some cases).