Struggling To Decide on MD or FNP

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I love medicne. I have been taking a Sports Massage Therapist/ Personal trainer for 8 years and I always new I wanted to get into the medical ield once my children were a little older. I took a job as a TECH at a level 1 trauma center and it's given me the opportunity to see first hand all the various health care professions I have made many friends as well. BUT my problem is I love the care nurses give and realize they actually do what I always assumed Doctors do "Care first hand for patients". I would love to be a D.O. I was discussing this with a friend and she says I should become a Nurse practioner because it's sort of a blend Nurse/Doctor really the best of both worlds! I also have a friend who is in CRNA school and that too souns interesting and she is encouraging me to shadow the CRNA's at work, and then theres my friend who has been a D.O. for 4 years and LOVES it. They're always asking which have I decided on? I am so conflicted now can anyone give me more insite on these professions and if your a FNP or CRNA whats the pros and cons of eachI guess Im asking on this site cause all my friends of course are trying to get me to choose what they do I just want to hear it from people I don't know. Thanks!

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It shouldn't really be a tough decision really. You know what you want. And before you go deciding on the pros and cons

alone, make sure it'd going to a a field you WANT to go into.

When you derive enjoyment from your job, you constantly seek for ways to improve on it. Don't just let it be a career you delve

into based solely on pros and cons- this always has a greater chance of failing and non-job satifaction.

Choose and choose wisely.

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I am considering either FNP your as I said a blend or a D.O. specializing in family practice, being a Doctor yes I would have a larger scope of practice but would I get to spend the time with my patients I want and to really care for them as I would like, also the cost of Med School is CRAZY, and the road is super long, as a FNP it's much cheaper, not as stressful and I can attain my goal much quicker. I can see myself in either field I just want to know what others love about their jobs in this field.

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I say if your young and smart enough go for MD. If your dont make the MD school cut, go for DO. The autonomy, respect, and money that Md's make cant compare to NP's.

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Specializes in Telemetry, IMCU, s/p Open Heart surgery.

I'm planning to start my pre-reqs for MD this coming January.

I'd considered doing FNP or even Adult Care NP or PA, but the reality is you'll always be underneath an MD/DO. It depends what you want. The scope of practice is similar, but with the MD/DO route, there is a higher level or responsibility and more autonomy. I've wanted to be a physician since high school, but was intimidated by how long the road is. After getting my BSN, I realized I could have been a physician by now and i'm 27 years old!

Don't be psyched out by how "long" it takes to be a Dr. I know a nurse who went to med school well into her 40s, so never think it's too late. Don't allow yourself to feel as though you are not reaching your full potential... I feel like later on you'll always wonder 'what IF I had gone for what I really wanted?'

Just my thoughts... Good luck!

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Im 33 and I keep thinking that being a Doctor would be a huge sacrafice, I have two kids to support as well, So I considered getting my BSN and then applying to Med School as well, I am still considering this, so it was so refreshing to hear from someone who is doing exactly what I WANT to do. I guess a lot of my indecision is I am afraid that I would not be accepted and I'll be like in my 40's with nothing. I am thinking about getting my RN degree and then proceed to a BSN and then MD.Thank you so much for posting and my thoughts and prayers are with! Best Wishes!!

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Specializes in Psych.

What about getting a Bachelors in Bio or Exercise Science and then do Physican's Assistant. That way you get something very similar to FNP but also some emphasis on the MD thought process and autonomy. You would have some experience to use as pt contact hours. Just an idea :) You may not need the bachelors but the schools could tell you exactly what you needed.

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Specializes in Oncology.
What about getting a Bachelors in Bio or Exercise Science and then do Physican's Assistant. That way you get something very similar to FNP but also some emphasis on the MD thought process and autonomy. You would have some experience to use as pt contact hours. Just an idea :) You may not need the bachelors but the schools could tell you exactly what you needed.

My understanding was that in most states NPs have more autonomy than PAs. PAs require more constant contact with a physician than NPs.

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You would need to do much research before deciding which path to take. It takes a min of 7 years of sacrifice to complete a MD assuming pre-med prep courses and MCAT are done. With school tuitions on the rise, be prepared for way over the 2008 average $155k med student debt. PCPs don't make alot of money either so it takes much time to pay off. Those loan interest rates aren't as good as a home mortgage either. There could be loan forgiveness options like joining the military or underserved communty work which may be difficult with an established family. It could be very rewarding and/or a bad decision if you're too old to save money for retirement.

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Specializes in Psych.
My understanding was that in most states NPs have more autonomy than PAs. PAs require more constant contact with a physician than NPs.

Yeah I think you are right. I was originally on a PA plan but I didn't have the desire to wait around to get accepted into school I feel like you do have a little bit of a better shot going BSN to NP. I'm doing the ADN to BSN to FNP. Sounds so easy when you type it. :D

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Specializes in Oncology.

I'm also going the NP route simply because I can go to school part time while working full time, maintaining my independence, instead of relying on others to support me or going into debt in medical school. Further, my employer is paying for my tuition, meaning I'll graduate with no debt. I wasn't ready to give up my 20s to school and residency.

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I say if your young and smart enough go for MD. If your dont make the MD school cut, go for DO. The autonomy, respect, and money that Md's make cant compare to NP's.

The D.O. comment makes me go "What!" I worked in an osteopathic hospital that provided all surgeries, intermal medicine, cardiology, and emergency care, etc. They were some of the brighest and holistic providers I have ever worked with!

DO is not an easier route:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002020.htm

otessa

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