"You're too smart to be a nurse. Be a doctor"

cocoa_puff · Jul 5, 2016

I wanted to be a doctor in high school, but then realized I didn't want to spend the next 12 (or more) years of my life doing premed, med school, internships, residencies, fellowships, and then graduate with a ton of debt. At 30, I would likely have over $250,000 of debt to pay off. I don't want to work 80 hours a week, or be on call 24/7. I didn't want work to take over my life.

As a nurse, I graduated debt free for my ASN and will graduate debt free with my BSN (thanks to scholarships). I can live at home and start making and saving money. I plan to be an ACNP and CNS (dual degree) by the time I'm 28. I also plan to graduate debt/loan free with my DNP (scholarships and money saved up), and also have enough money saved up by that point to buy a house with a good amount of land. I'm interested in cardiology or cath lab as a NP, and education/staff development as a CNS. I want to work 8-4 or 10-6, and be able to leave work at work. I want to discover new hobbies, travel and get a tan, and spend time with family and friends, while also having a flexible and professionally rewarding career.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

"I'm too smart to be a doctor. That's why I'm going for nursing".

Oleacronon, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

Hahhaha

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

Most of us work not for emotional experiences but for a living. Keeping the wolf at bay. Survival. Most of us do not have a trust fund and have no silver spoon in our mouths.

I have never taken out a second mortgage on my house because, while I would enjoy a hot tub, a vacation, a better car, and so on, what I need is the security of knowing that these walls are the refuge of my family and myself. Unless I fail to pay taxes, it's mine.

My Nursing license keeps our home standing. It puts food in our bellies and clothes on our backs. I have had jobs I've loved and made some friends over the decades of Nursing, but have also broken my back, my legs, my shoulders, and my heart (emotions).

Betrayal by plenty of backstabbing, conniving folk has occurred more than once. No need to paint too bleak a picture. If OP feels led, called to Nursing, fine. She can certainly explore this career option. But those of us here like myself, like BTDT (six figures??? Wow, let me in on that.), and any others who have learned that the world of work, whether as a nurse or whatever else, is just not always pretty.

OP, explore various careers. You are still young. You can choose Nursing, but understand that you will not receive the respect or the income that other lines of work can offer. You will likely have to be on your feet, clean every type of bodily fluid (sweat, stool, urine, blood, pus, there must be more, can't think of them, LOL), and encounter many rude, angry people who just aren't at their best and will take out their upset on you. You will work every hour of every day (night shift, evening shift, day shift), work holidays, work weekends, and be expected to take care of way too many patients at once. You will have to work at a ridiculously fast pace and still be behind.

But do explore and I wish you well. Talk to some nurses in real life.

You do have to be smart to be a nurse. People make some really stupid remarks and don't think them through. But please understand the realities of working as a nurse. God bless and best wishes.

futuredermNP · Jul 6, 2016

Every time someone asks me what I want to do with my life and I say nursing, this is what they say, even my parents! I'm sure it's something every nurse has experienced. When people ask you this question, how do you reply? Do you have a good sassy comeback?

Nursing is my second career. I have a doctorate in another field. I became a nurse almost 4 years ago and I always get a shocked reaction when my 1st career comes up in conversation and I'm asked "Why would you become a nurse?" I always answer "Why not?"

Some people are closed minded and view nurses as doctors' secretaries or pill pushers, instead of the first line of care in some of the most acute settings.

djh123 · Jul 6, 2016

I haven't been asked or told that exactly, but one of my residents did ask me why I hadn't become a doctor (thanks for the vote of confidence, Mrs. _______!!!).

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 6, 2016

Behind every great dr is a team of excellent nurses. Some physicians recognize this, others don't.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 6, 2016

Time is money and medical school/residency/etc was too much time "wasted" for me and didn't match my personal and professional goals.

Erythropoiesis · Jul 6, 2016

"Why would I want to do that"? Then just look at them with a puzzled expression and complete silence.

Oh god I'm laughing hard right now. Will be using this line!

Hmmm the thousands of dollars to shell out in application/admissions/interview expenses ALONE doesn't appeal to me, much less the additional thousands and thousands once I'm in, the 4-7 year lack of autonomy as a resident, and also the fact that I enjoy sleeping. Also, I'll come out of nursing school 100% debt free and will work my way through the rest of my credentials. An MD can't do that. That about covers it. I feel like a lot of people don't realize exactly how much of a process it is just to become accepted into a med program let alone what you have to go through as a beginner MD. Beginner nurses have to eat a lot of sh*t sometimes, yeah, but there's about a million different directions you can go from there whenever you're ready.

Guest957596 · Jul 6, 2016

A few of my instructors said I should go to medical school. I tell them, I'm 58. Do the math.

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Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

I cleaned a lot of butts and took a load of crap.

Sounds kind of redundant.

sammiesmom · Jul 7, 2016

I am not going to lie. I wanted to be a doctor but the path I am in is the path God gave to me and I have reached the point of self-acceptance and contentment, I only want to be an NP.

Anyway, I always just say, "Ah, too old for that. Chose the next best thing - NP"