Question... and please don't fight!

aeauooo · May 4, 2008

Most of my jobs as a nurse have been primarily in teaching hospitals, and many of my classmates in the MPH program I am in are either medical students or newly graduated docs - so here's my observation:

Most of the medical students and junior residents I know or have known have been young - straight out of high school into pre-med, graduate from medical school without having much, if any, experience in the work force.

Most nurses I know entered nursing a little later in life - late 20s or older. I know very few nurses who went to nursing school straight out of high school.

My opinion is that what you are hearing is not so much a matter of career choice, but of maturity.

I remember shortly after I graduated from nursing school a patient asking me, "Hey, who was that bunch of kids that just came through here?" "Those were your doctors."

After 16 years of nursing, they just keep getting younger every year!

elkpark · May 4, 2008

It's my opinion/observation that that other site (which shall remain nameless! :)) has an established "majority" (majority of posters, I mean) mentality/outlook that would tend to "turn off" med students who don't share those same values and opinions (unlike, oh, say, ALLNURSES!! :yeah: ) -- so the med students and residents who don't think like that aren't likely to be hanging out and posting there. I've worked in a variety of teaching hospitals, in a few different states, over the years, and have known a kazillion (and counting! :)) med students and residents, and, in my experience, the opinions and attitudes expressed on that other site are the exception rather than the rule.

Most of the med students and residents I have known have been, apart from being understandably stressed by school, happy, mellow, well-balanced people with great intentions/values.

Please don't draw any conclusions about the larger medical community from that other site! :rolleyes: (And don't waste any more of your time there! :chuckle)

anggelRN · May 4, 2008

I really dont know any pre medical/ medical students...but I can speak for myself. I am in nursing school right now. I went straight from high school into nursing school. I will be 21 when I graduate with my BSN(cross my fingers). I know some of my classmates who are in nursing school for the right reasons and some for the wrong reasons. I feel if your heart is in the right place you will always find people who share your view whether in nursing school or medical school. I like to surround myself with like minded people so I would stay away from that site.

MikeyJ, RN · May 4, 2008

Those of you that know the 'forum' I speak off.. the premeds seem to be so concerned with their premed status, gpa, mcat, and .. er money.. that it really bothers me!
Here we talk about our experiences, our 'vocational callings' to the nursing profession.
On allnurses, I see more 'happy' people than on 'that' forum.
It just kind of further validates the fact that I think nursing is more where I belong. I am just kind of bothered by the lack of "why I want to be doctor" "i cant wait to treat my patients".. like we have here for nursing.

Why does it bother you that pre-med's are concerned about their GPA and MCAT? Medical school is extremely competitive and they NEED to be concerned about their GPA and MCAT. And in regards to the money they are going to make -- that is something you need to consider when embarking on the journey to pursue medicine. They are spending 12+ years in school and residency before they begin making "good" money. And then most have well over $100K in student loans (some have excess of $300K in loans).

And it is hog wash that people who enter the nursing profession are doing so because it is a "calling". Yes, some do it because they are driven to help people... but I guarantee most would not pursue it if they knew the field of nursing was not lucrative. If I knew that I would walk out of nursing school making very little... I would not pursue it.

And everyone who enters the field of medicine has a reason to enter it -- they may not be as cliche as "I want to help people", but they have their own reasons. Some people may want the money, but then again the individual who is entering finance may be pursuing the money as well.

RNDreamer · May 5, 2008

Some of these same topics are dicussed by pre-nursing students on this site, including nursing school application status, pre-nursing GPA, the NET, HESI, etc... And there are also a few "money" threads here, too. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Here goes it:
Those of you that know the 'forum' I speak off.. the premeds seem to be so concerned with their premed status, gpa, mcat, and .. er money.. that it really bothers me!
Just tell me if you know what I mean..
[i spend my "study breaks" being an internet goof]

TazziRN, RN · May 5, 2008

And it is hog wash that people who enter the nursing profession are doing so because it is a "calling". Yes, some do it because they are driven to help people... but I guarantee most would not pursue it if they knew the field of nursing was not lucrative. If I knew that I would walk out of nursing school making very little... I would not pursue it.

Speak for yourself. I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I can't even tell you why, because I was never exposed to any nurses growing up except in the clinics when my parents took me in for checkups or minor care. For me, it is a calling and I think it's a safe bet that I'm not the only one.

MikeyJ, RN · May 5, 2008

Speak for yourself. I've wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I can't even tell you why, because I was never exposed to any nurses growing up except in the clinics when my parents took me in for checkups or minor care. For me, it is a calling and I think it's a safe bet that I'm not the only one.

I understand that it is a calling for many, as I did not dispute that. However, most people would probably not enter the profession these days if they knew it did not pay well.

elkpark · May 5, 2008

I understand that it is a calling for many, as I did not dispute that. However, most people would probably not enter the profession these days if they knew it did not pay well.

Ah, yes -- those of us who have been in nursing for a long time spent years getting nursing salaries raised above "vow of poverty" levels, and now, as a result, we have the heart-warming phenomenon of people going into nursing for the money ... :uhoh21:

ddoosier · May 5, 2008

Why does it bother you that pre-med's are concerned about their GPA and MCAT? Medical school is extremely competitive and they NEED to be concerned about their GPA and MCAT. And in regards to the money they are going to make -- that is something you need to consider when embarking on the journey to pursue medicine. They are spending 12+ years in school and residency before they begin making "good" money. And then most have well over $100K in student loans (some have excess of $300K in loans).
And it is hog wash that people who enter the nursing profession are doing so because it is a "calling". Yes, some do it because they are driven to help people... but I guarantee most would not pursue it if they knew the field of nursing was not lucrative. If I knew that I would walk out of nursing school making very little... I would not pursue it.
And everyone who enters the field of medicine has a reason to enter it -- they may not be as cliche as "I want to help people", but they have their own reasons. Some people may want the money, but then again the individual who is entering finance may be pursuing the money as well.

I make a really good living and I have always been drawn to nursing. I was a candystriper as a teen (does anyone remember those?). But nursing is hard work and very stressful. So that being said, would you not have to have another ambition than just money?? I remember recently reading a thread about salaries. Many RN's in different locales around the country are severely underpaid. A RN in KY makes around 16 per hr. So I would guess that it isn't her salary that keeps her in the profession. I love my profession and the feeling that I do make a difference.

:nurse:

MikeyJ, RN · May 5, 2008

Ah, yes -- those of us who have been in nursing for a long time spent years getting nursing salaries raised above "vow of poverty" levels, and now, as a result, we have the heart-warming phenomenon of people going into nursing for the money ... :uhoh21:

This is not the case with new grads in present days. If nurses did not start off with the wages they did today, I GUARANTEE you that you would not see as many people pursuing the nursing profession.

I am not sure why people get all huffy when someone makes the statement that some people actually pursue nursing for money. You can make a ton of money in nursing in our present day. I know of many new grads walking out of nursing school taking on a full-time job and working a few per-diem days and making over $100K their first year out.

Did I pursue it for money? Absolutely not. However, nursing was not a "calling" for me. I enjoy the field very much and feel like I make a difference and am very very caring with my patients, but pursuing nursing was a much easier decision knowing that when I walk out of school, I will be making excellent money.

Wicked Wahine · May 5, 2008

I don't understand why it's considered a bad thing to want to be paid well? Or to go into a profession because you want to make the money that those professionals get paid? I think it's hugely naive to think that money isn't a major issue for most people... something that we all think about all the time. Just because someone is working for the money doesn't mean they aren't doing a good job or have a strong work ethic.