Second thoughts? Medicine calling me!

np_wannabe · Apr 18, 2007

Hi Spriess.

Let me start by saying that I'm glad to hear that things with your husband are improving, and I hope that they continue on that course.

I do understand your predicament, and wonder if you have looked into or have considered Physician Assistant school? PA school is 2 years, full time, and the curriculum tends to be more science-oriented than nursing school, since it is based on a medical model instead of a nursing model. Usually, the programs are housed in the college of medicine, are taught by MDs, and your do your rotations with med students. PAs are mid-level practioners like NP's, so you will dianose, treat, order tests, and the like, but are used more often in surgery than NPs.

I wonder if this would be a good compromise for you?

Here is a link for a discussion board, like this one, but for PA's.

http://www.physicianassistantforum.com

I hope this helps & good luck.

FuturoEnfermera · Apr 18, 2007

Thank you SO much for your suggestion. Honestly I haven't really looked into that. I've looked into NP. Now I can't remember why I didn't look into PA. =) I guess that's something else to do to avoid homework tonight!

Ok, I just checked out my local program. I have all the pre-requisites they need except the two years experience they ask for. =(

np_wannabe · Apr 18, 2007

Thank you SO much for your suggestion. Honestly I haven't really looked into that. I've looked into NP. Now I can't remember why I didn't look into PA. =) I guess that's something else to do to avoid homework tonight!
Ok, I just checked out my local program. I have all the pre-requisites they need except the two years experience they ask for. =(

Is there a reason you need to start asap? I think that most programs will allow volunteer hours to count toward "experience." by experience, I think they mean "exposure" to patients: ie--volunteering in an emergency room.

Even with the two years of experience, you're still only looking at 4 years instead of 9 and A LOT less student loan debt.

One more thing I'm wondering...if you went the med school route, I'm assuming you'll need more pre-req's? OChem, physics, calculus, and the like? Is that right?

FuturoEnfermera · Apr 18, 2007

Well I suppose I could work for 2(ish) years then apply. I'd rather keep going since I'm on a roll, although that would give me some good time to really see the different roles that are played in the hospital. I'd rather make sure I'm making the best choice than to rush into something. I wonder if 2 years of clinicals in nursing school would count towards the 2 years they want?? But then why spend that time in school if I'm not going to end up an RN....ugh.

Thanks again!

Oh and yes my plan as of now is to start the pre med classes this summer. I'd be able to finish those in about 1.5 years. It's a bummer none of the pre nursing classes apply!

MikeyJ, RN · Apr 19, 2007

I have been and still am in the same predicament. However, I have decided that I will finish my BSN (I graduate August 2008), and if at that point I am still inclined to pursue medicine, I will begin my remaining pre-req's for medical school, take the MCAT and apply.

However, I find it silly for me not to pursue nursing. I have finished all of my pre-req's and have worked very hard to get accepted. I figure I might as well try it, and see how well I enjoy it.

Edit:

I forgot to ask you a question -- do you already have a bachelors degree, or is the BSN your first? I question this because you are so close to getting your BSN, and if you were to all the sudden pursue another degree (biology, chemistry, etc.) you would probably have to spend a few more years in school. My recommendation would be to complete your BSN and then immediately go back and finish your pre-req's for medical school. Therefore you would get valuable clinical experience, and would be able to work and make good money while doing the rest of your pre-reqs.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2007

If I had the time, youth and money I would go for MD in a heartbeat.

Good luck, with whatever you decide.

gogatsby · Apr 19, 2007

I'm currently debating this as well. I'm about to graduate from undergrad with a degree in nutrition, and I've been accepted into an accelerated BSN program for this coming year. I have all the nursing and med school pre-requisites complete, so all I would have to do is take the MCAT and apply. I go back and forth daily on whether or not I should apply this summer (take the MCAT in August). Part of me really wants to be a doctor and everything, but the other part of me wants to have a life outside of medicine, espcially for the next eight years. I've talked to both doctors and nurses and seen what both of them do, but I still can't make up my mind. I consider getting my BSN and working, then going to med school if I'm not satisfied, but then I'm older...then again, you know that you want the medicine instead of nursing. It's a hard decision that no one can make for you...trust me, I know! Good luck in making your decision!

bflogrl · Apr 23, 2007

Hi. I was once in a similar position and after a huge mistake (going to PA school for a semester) and recovering from that, I am happily doing what I was meant to do and that is be a nurse. I'm not saying anything intrinsically negative about PA school, it's just for me it was entirely the wrong choice. Deep inside I think I always wanted nursing but because of my academic ability and the general prejudice against nursing (oh, it's so physically hard, you're really smart, why would you want to do that) I was always swayed away from it. Because of my age and knowing that I lacked the dedication to study medicine I was never inclined to go that route. So I figured ok, let's take the middle ground -- PA. When I got in there I realized that the science they were teaching was so watered down and that there seemed to be so little focus on the patient, I ended up feeling that I was training to be a tech for a doctor so I left after one semester. The whole point of this is that nursing is not a compromise for medicine and if it's medicine that you really want then think hard and see about going for it. There's nothing worse than being frustrated because you had to settle. I truly wish you all the best as you work this this decision, I know it's hard!