Seriously considering dropping nursing school for medical school?

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Specializes in Perioperative Patient Care Technician.

I've been recently admitted to nursing school. I am only 19 years old, but I have spent the last two years strenuously completing prerequisites and planning my nursing career.

I work in a hospital, and for months I have observed the work of nurses and that of physicians. I have slowly come to realize in the past few months that nursing is not where I am meant to be. Please don't misunderstand me, I have absolute respect and admiration for nurses. I have simply realized that my passion lies within the medical model and not in the nursing model. When I picture myself as a nurse, I feel discontent. I feel as if I will have settled for something maybe more practical in the moment, but not for something that is in my heart.

One side of me thinks, you're nuts. You have already been accepted to nursing school. You have the finances to cover the program and come out with little debt. You've got a path completely mapped out. You have the support of your family, friends, and superiors at work. You have a guaranteed job out of school at a beautiful new hospital. You have so much going for your already. Why throw all of that way?

But the other side of me thinks, good for you. For once you aren't settling for something you don't want. For once you aren't letting the opinions of others influence what you know is right for you. You no longer have to long for the career of the physician walking down the hall; that will be you. You no longer have to convince yourself that you can live your life in a career that you don't want. You're living your full potential. You're exceeding your expectations.

I thought to myself a couple of weeks ago... if you could have one thing in your one life, what would it be? My answer came immediately. To be a doctor. I wondered to myself... if there is one thing that I want more than anything in life, why wouldn't go out and get it?

I have considered the route of nurse practitioner. In fact that was my original long term plan. But I would be going into that career for the wrong reason. I would be getting a degree as a nurse and a NP just so that I can be closer to working the career of a doctor. That doesn't make much sense to me. If I want to be a doctor, I should be a doctor.

So after two years of nursing prerequisite work, a stressful application process, and an admittance to nursing school, I am about to drop all of that. I am planning a transfer to the University of Washington, looking into starting a Microbiology major, and working towards applying to medical school in a few years. I am not elligible for financial aid and cannot get any support from my family. Due to being a middle class white I have never been able to get any scholarships despite high achievements and volume of scholarship applications. So I will end up in some serious debt. Especially if I cannot get into my one in state medical school and have to go out of state.

My new supervisors are so impressed by my prior enthusiasm for nursing school, and being a nurses themselves, have promised to help me balance work and school. I do not feel they will give me the same approval if I tell them I dropped nursing school to pursue medicine.

My poor grandparents and extended family have been rooting for me all along to become a nurse... what will they think? My parents say they will support me... why don't I feel that support? Half of my friends have flat out told me I'm being young and stupid.

It sounds crazy. Working so hard to get into nursing school, getting accepted, then dropping it. All to start over on some wild and difficult new adventure.

But I've never felt so right about anything else in my life...

I'm so scared. :confused: I guess I am just looking for opinions. Thanks for listening everyone.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

You've got to do what you've got to do! At least try it! What've you got to lose?

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Don't feel bad about something that feels so right for you. Tell your friends, family, employers etc., just what you posted. You are 19 and have a lifetime full of decisions ahead. You will come to understand that your fear can only hold you back. Allow that "feeling" to push you forward in the direction you feel is right. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised about the outcome of being honest with yourself and those around you. Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Hey Strawberry Girl,

It is a little frightening to see the similarities between our situations. I have been working as a PCA/PCT since 2005 and after completing prerequisites and being accepted to nursing school, I said no and transferred to a different university to pursue a degree in Biology with a double minor in Middle East and American Studies. Coming from a middle class Hispanic family means I got little to no aid and have taken the debt on myself; I too am pursing a career in medicine.

I advise you to do what you feel is right, on a daily basis I have to deal with my family and their comments about not going to nursing school. The reality of the matter is that I see myself in the medical model. I enjoy the challenge of a biology degree and have fallen in love with that which nursing pre-reqs did not teach me.

I really hope you find your way and if you have any questions or want to talk more feel free to PM me.

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You'll be living the rest of your life, not your family and friends. Do what you want and need to do! and good luck! :redbeathe

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Specializes in public health.

Do whatever your heart tells you. I've also considered both paths. Nursing school accepted me first. Then I saw how much residents in my hospital have to sacrifice, I decided to go to nursing school and I am happy with my decision. I like the medical model but I also like the one-on-one attention you get from your nurse. That's why I want to be a nurse practitioner so you get the benefits of both worlds. I really admire those who choose to be doctors because not everyone can do it. Even if you have talent, the money, the time, not everyone is willing to work 80+ hours a week for a long long time. Life doesn't get easier after residency either. Doctors who have been working for 15+ years still have to be 24 hrs on call at least once a month. They still have to come to work at 7am and usually leave after 5pm M-F. Maybe if you are a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon who has his/her own business might enjoy a lighter schedule. I want to enjoy my time with family and loved ones, and I don't want to wait until I am retired to travel the world and live in different countries. That's why I didn't choose medical school. Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

I say go for it if that is were your heart is (and please always remember how much respect you feel for nursing.)

However, if you think the nursing application process was hard, hold onto your hat; the medical school application process is much more intense.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

I have to also say follow your heart. Youre young enough, now is the time to do it! If you wait and tell yourself "maybe later", you may never get there.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Perioperative Patient Care Technician.

Thank you everyone, your responses are all very encouraging. I appreciate the support. I have received comments on the other side of the spectrum from family and friends, and secretly share some of their worries.

I have always been smart and ambitious. But what if I drop nursing, start pre-med and realize that I can't even handle the difficult courses of my undergraduate degree? How on earth would I handle med school? Residency? What if I realize I hate what I am doing and wished I was in nursing school and had never quit? What if I get through my undergraduate degree and don't get into medical school?

What if... what if... what if... I feel I owe it to myself to consider these questions, but I also feel like I owe it to myself to follow my heart.

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Specializes in cardiology/oncology/MICU.
Thank you everyone, your responses are all very encouraging. I appreciate the support. I have received comments on the other side of the spectrum from family and friends, and secretly share some of their worries.

I have always been smart and ambitious. But what if I drop nursing, start pre-med and realize that I can't even handle the difficult courses of my undergraduate degree? How on earth would I handle med school? Residency? What if I realize I hate what I am doing and wished I was in nursing school and had never quit? What if I get through my undergraduate degree and don't get into medical school?

What if... what if... what if... I feel I owe it to myself to consider these questions, but I also feel like I owe it to myself to follow my heart.

There is enough time in your life to do whatever you want. If you become a doctor that is great. If you want to be an RN that is great too. There is nothing to hold you back except for your own fear. Never let family or anyone else tell you what you have to do with your life. You are your own boss and your dreams are the limit of your possiblities.

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Thank you everyone, your responses are all very encouraging. I appreciate the support. I have received comments on the other side of the spectrum from family and friends, and secretly share some of their worries.

I have always been smart and ambitious. But what if I drop nursing, start pre-med and realize that I can't even handle the difficult courses of my undergraduate degree? How on earth would I handle med school? Residency? What if I realize I hate what I am doing and wished I was in nursing school and had never quit? What if I get through my undergraduate degree and don't get into medical school?

What if... what if... what if... I feel I owe it to myself to consider these questions, but I also feel like I owe it to myself to follow my heart.

Hi

i read your all views, worries n what if what if......If i am in your situation n 19years old n thoughts are coming to become doctor, I would go for it no matter what. because nursing is also not easy profession. Its stressful, hardwork everyday, life long new learning everyday. I would go for doctor. Best of luck. Talk to God and ask for decision from Him. you will get the answer. You can pm me if you want. thanks for reading.

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After following the "bitter nurses who should retire thread...." Be an MD! Anything to avoid being under the thumb of Managers who think pt's are customers and that Nurses are sheep.

I'm seriously thinking I should think about being a PA but I think I'd rather change careers and be an Art Therapist...except then I can't afford to eat...Seriously, you can get the BSN. Then work for a year or so, then get into Medical School, I know several people who have done this.

Bottom line, what you learn in school is not at all the same as what you end up doing for a living, make sure it's what you want, and then if it's not, be brave enough to change careers again.

Just so's ya don't end up a bitter old...yeah, yeah, yeah...I'll stop stirring the pot!

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