Quitting Medschool to go to Nursing

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Hello everyone :)

Me:

male 21

New York

I jus came across this site yesterday. I am currently in medschool but not doing so well. :crying2:

i dont know how to tell my parents that i dont want to do medicine anymore. Everyone is expecting so much of me..:crying2:

I wasted two years....

i attend a offshore medical school. I like to help people. i hav volunteered at the Haitian quake site.....

my parents hav bin paying for everything.... im so depressed....:crying2:

I was thinking about the RN-BSN(online)-CRNA path. but i read in some of these forums the difficulties RN's are facing in getting a job. also how there are looong waiting lists for ACN programs....

Plz someone guide me.......

At 21, how did you already get a college degree and accepted to (even offshore) and attending med school?

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

Take off at least six months to year. I say that as a nurse, medic, father, and career teacher. Take a breather. Find where your interests and aspirations really seem to point at this time in life. Don't rush into a next, alternative step.

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Take off at least six months to year. I say that as a nurse, medic, father, and career teacher. Take a breather. Find where your interests and aspirations really seem to point at this time in life. Don't rush into a next, alternative step.

Agreed.

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Where you are at is common in this stage of med school-feeling overwhemed and inadequate. I would encourage you to reach out to your advisor, dean and professors at your school. What are they telling you about your chances of making it through? Make an appointment with each of them, lay it out to them, listen to their advise.

Your parents will be upset but start sharing with them now, let them all know about your troubles, if you do decide to walk away for a break -it will lessen the shock. Remember, they are your parents, parents get over things in the end will probably support you no matter what.

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I hate it when people give very self-righteous answers, but no matter how I say this, it sounds self-righteous. That being said, nursing is not something to fall back on for people who can't cut it in Med school. Nursing, like being a physician, is a calling. You may or may not be called to it, I can't be sure. I just know that if you're not called to nursing, you may well do badly in this, too. You need to go see an academic adviser and really hash this out with them. Put everything on the table and get some professional advice. I do wish you well - it's not an easy road, no matter which path you choose.

Sorry, I don't think that either medicine or nursing is some sort of "calling" . . . I, too, like Mr York, went to med school, quit because I hated it (was doing fine, tho) . . . and then 25 yrs later, went into nursing.

I went to med school because of family pressure and went to nursing school because of too many high tech lay-offs . . no "calling" was involved.

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Like somebody already mentioned, you cannot do your BSN online. Nursing school is not easy, shorter than med school but far from easy. You can't skip clinicals, you have to study hard and pass all your exams. Then after your BSN you have to do 1000 hours (or 1 year) of critical care in the hospital in order to get into CRNA school.

If you have the drive, you can do it just don't think of nursing as "the easy way out."

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Sorry, I don't think that either medicine or nursing is some sort of "calling" . . . I, too, like Mr York, went to med school, quit because I hated it (was doing fine, tho) . . . and then 25 yrs later, went into nursing.

I went to med school because of family pressure and went to nursing school because of too many high tech lay-offs . . no "calling" was involved.

I was going to say the same thing. At the risk of being flamed, while many nurses feel that their career was a "calling," it's not required to feel that way. Some people get in to nursing because they enjoy healthcare, enjoy taking care of people, etc, but still may not feel it's a "calling" and there's nothing wrong with that. For some people, it's simply the most practical paths given their interests, the time and money they're willing to commit to schooling, etc. It doesn't make them bad nurses to feel that way, either.

I also agree that nursing isn't a "fallback" for getting out of med school, whether med school is too hard, too stressful, etc. It's not like being a "doctor lite."

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Specializes in CSICU/CTICU.

I may be presumptuous here -- but if he got in to medical school and made it thus far (assuming he isn't failing out, which he hasn't particularly elucidated), I think he will probably be able to handle the rigors of nursing school, too. That being said, OP should probably do as suggested and really figure out what he wants to do. Perhaps it is the health field as a whole that turns you off? What is it about MED school that makes you want to leave in favor of nursing..is it merely because you can't hack it? That being said, two important things should be considered:

1) If you become a nurse, will you regret not following through with the MD at some point later in life? Do you have the option of following through or are you failing out?

2) Just how bad are you doing in med school? If you are in a foreign med school, and you are not in top 10% of your class, think about how this is going to effect your matching situation/choice of specialties..chances are you will end up in primary care, is this okay with you? Only you know just how dire the situation is vis-a-vis your grades, USMLE, steps, matching, all that mumbo jumbo. You got in to medical school which, even overseas, can be a hurdle..but I know that FMG have to work extra hard to get good residencies and be appreciated/respected..If you still want to be in the health field but you don't see your qualifications as being high enough..then perhaps you should consider advanced practice nursing..maybe a direct entry acute NP program or a PA program as suggested..there's also many other allied health professions that may interest you..PA/OT/yadda yadda you know the rest.. IF you can take a LOA without dropping out and your grades are high enough to not fail out, I would take the LOA and shadow some different professions...

Tell your parents about what is going on sooner than later..Perhaps they can help guide you, and also, the longer you wait/the more the problem increases/the more money they spend/the worse it will be if you lay it on them down the road..Good luck!

Elle

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I didn't see any "chewing" at all. (??) - I feel for the guy. I have a son his age, and it's not easy to find one's way in this world. I just wanted him to know the reality of nursing not being "the easy way out".

Yes you did,you arleady assumed that he is not cut for med-school! Do you have a crysta ball?? For all we know this dude can be really smart just is not doing good in medicine because he lost interest in it.:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I don't want to come across as being nasty, but don't become a nurse just because you can't complete medical school. You won't be happy and we won't be happy. Check into becoming a PA. That might be a better alternative for you.

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Hey,

I was in your shoes not too long ago! I was in my 2nd year of medschool and it wasn't going well. Before I decided to take my chances and continue, I looked at my options (PA or RN). And stressed myself out. I finally decided on switching to nursing school and I will never regret the change. I will agree with other readers, nursing isn't something to just "fall back" on if your not liking/enjoying medschool, and you should think hard before you make your decision.

In a few weeks I will be graduating with my BSN and I still think to myself, "I would've been graduating from medschool (had I stayed)! I chose to do an accelerated program....Not Easy at all! Overall, I didn't just "choose" nursing...I've realized that I enjoy the medical profession more as a nursing student than a medical student.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision and hope your family supports your choice!

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