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!

Its a proven fact that admission numbers such as gpa into DO school are lower than MD. No disrespect to DO doctors, I'm sure they are just as trained, but it is a fact, not an opinion that MD schools are considered more elite.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Flight.

well... ironically.. a very good FNP friend of mine has informed me that the FNP is going to be grandfathered into a PhD program. which entails 4 years post BSN.

This means it is no longer going to be just a masters... but now require PhD in nursing. This is not true of all programs at this point.. it is talk that i have heard from some ppl that are FNP's... They told me that FNP's that already have their certifications can still practice.. but within a few years. to get your FNP license you will need a doctorate...

so.... why not just go to med school.??

i was thinking about my FNP... but with all of this. a DO friend of mine has got me thinking i should just go to DO school. .. he started med school @ age 40..

i don't know what to do either.. i screwed up the MCAT once... so now i have purchased a lot of stuff to help me prepare for it again...

either way... no matter what you choose... just do your best!!!!

i wish you the best of luck!!!~~

:cool:

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I know I totally agree you can see a difference at the hospital I work at as well. The D.O is as loved as the best Nurses and as respected as the top surgons. They are a different breed and I would love to be a D.O. but I have this ffeling I want to be a Nurse I love working close with the patients but I am also afraid I will not make enough money to support my kids. I live in a wondrful location with no plans to mive but the ave. household income here is around $90,000 a year. We have amazing schools and the comunity is very close I just want to find a field I can make at least $80,000 in and I think I would be perfectly comfortable.

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Yes I totally agree. About being able to work and support yourself with a great income while continuing your education and reaching your goals

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Its a proven fact that admission numbers such as gpa into DO school are lower than MD. No disrespect to DO doctors, I'm sure they are just as trained, but it is a fact, not an opinion that MD schools are considered more elite.

I know many MD's that think they are t Gods Gift to Patients But WRONG. I hear so many patients praise D.O.'s and Osteopathic Medical School has a REAL approach to medicine. They understand it's nurturing and kindness that make a great Doctor. Practicing Medicine is a priviledge and a honor not something you stick your nose up at and try and gobble up as much money as you can.

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NGHFLTGUY Thank you so much I agree. if Im still studing to be a NP and they switch up the requirements, what the heck. It's something to think about. Best of Luck to you too!

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I was once in the same dillema, but after i started to think about it I decided on the nurse practitioner route. While you may earn more as a doctor, you can still earn a comfortable living as an FNP, believe me there are some NP'S making more than some MD's, but it depends on how motivated you are. Secondly the cost to go the NP route is a lot cheaper. Finally if you are a really motivated person there are NP programs that can be completed within a 12-24 month time frame, and upon graduating after you get certified you can practice , you do not have to spend another couple of years completing a residency, however if you are young and dont have a lot of debt then go for the D.O if you feel that medicine is your true calling.

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Im young but not that young, Im 33 and have two children 2 and 11. I love medicine and have always wanted to be a Doctor, but now I have dependents and I want to be able to care well for them and have a career that I love, I think FNP is the more sensible route especially financially, even after becoming a Doctor I think about all the debt I would have, I still rent I want to be able to buy a home in the next few years! I just don't see that happening as a Doctor with a heavy debt load and I'll be in my 40's before I start making a great Doctor income. I beginning to realize that it may not be the best route time wise or financially. Who knows I may become a NP and in a few years after my life is a bit more stble become a Doctor. I think being a FNP would be just as good if not better. I have a friend who is a physician and he said to me I have so much paper work I feel like I have a MBA not a MD degree. I also feel being a NP will allow more family time for me and thats very important to me.

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Agreed, if you have dependents i would suggest going the NP route. You have to remember that medical school requires a lot of time and dedication, not to mention a lot of clinical hours. NP programs require an average of 630 hours worth of clinical time (during the entire program). Besides if you decide to pursue a medical education later going for your NP now should help you in the future, for one thing you will already have the experience of dealing with patients ,amongst other things.

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