They make me feel like a failure

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 7, 2007

I've heard that even direct-entry NP programs require their students to work as an RN during their school. That is, they can sit for the NCLEX after so many terms and then are required to take a part-time RN position while they work on the graduate portion of their degree. But maybe not all programs are like that.

pivotpivot · Mar 7, 2007

As a future student of a direct entry program myself, I completely understand where you're coming from. I come from a background where my parents have urged me from childhood to become a doctor or lawyer. I was even planning on med school until a few years ago. I got the same reaction from acquaintances, friends, even family. Why not med school? I graduated from a competitive program at my school (Pharmacology) and all of the students I graduated with went to either Pharmacology grad school, law school, or med school. I even got the same reaction on allnurses.com!

Ultimately the decision is yours and you know where your interests and abilities lie. I am not for a second ashamed of my choice because I choose to be an advocate for the patients. Be proud that you made it thus far! In the big picture, not many people have the privilege of going to grad school, even undergrad school.

Be strong!

cozzy66 · Mar 7, 2007

re: jjjoy and berkelymom

I don't know how it is in other programs, but the Columbia ETP path does not require you to work as an RN during the MSN portion - for some specialties, you are actually prohibited from working, because of the course load.

On the other hand, they do train you towards taking the NCLEX and give sufficient time after the first year in order to take it.

Also, in looking at the job market, for the majority of Acute Care NP jobs (that's my chosen specialty), it is preferred that the applicant have at least one or two years in AC or CC before applying. Some hospitals, such as NYU may consider awarding the position even without experience. On the other hand, for someone going into FNP, I've heard that it's possible to start off in a clinic right away without being an RN.

lizcakes · Mar 7, 2007

iriska- i feel your pain too... for years i entertained the idea of becoming a MD, then was convinced i wanted to be a dentist, and here i am now choosing between nursing schools - which i believe is the smartest decision i have made. i want to have a fulfilling and respected career in the healthcare field, but still have a family and i feel nursing is the way to do this. during one of my nursing school interviews, i was asked "why not medical school?" and i spoke about the comfort patients have with nurses, their respect in the community, etc. and my interviewer (who is a PhD in nursing) said that there's research out there called "white coat hypertension" where a patient's blood pressure actually increases when a doc walks in due to anxiety, fear of bad news, etc. i thought that was interesting. :)

HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 8, 2007

Had to put my 2 cents in here. I've gotten this attitude before and its either coming from one of two things. One - the individual is just a horse's a** or two - the person has a preconcieved notion of a nurse being peed on, spat on, degraded and otherwise disrespected all for no decent wages and they are concerned for my health, sanity, and financial welfare (this is usually older relatives).

For person One who says "Gee, I hope you like changing bedpans, heeheehee" I retort "Yep, you know its amazing that I can get paid 80 grand a year to do that!" To which this particular person, who is a salesman and works at least 60 hours a week for $40,000 per year and has to pay for his own health benefits says "(gulp) Really? You'd make that much?" That was a great moment. And there were witnesses too! :lol2:

To number two person I gently explain modern nursing, what I would be doing, why I want to go into it, etc etc and they usually get it. And of course its great to have the constant supporters like my grandmother who can't stop telling people "my granddaughter's going to nursing school !" to everyone..dentists...waitresses at the local diner.....her eye doctor.....the Walmart clerk.....

Dee

iriska_meller · Mar 8, 2007

Thank you so much everyone! Sorry for the silence, I had a crazy day. Your replies are really encouraging and I appreciate each and every one of them!

Interestingly enough, many people think that all medical/dental/pharmacy students are smarter than nursing students. In their opinion, if you are choosing nursing, even advanced nursing, its simply because you don't have the brains or the stamina to make it and to become "a real doctor".

More interesting still is that in today's world, particularly in NY where I live, the fact that you may not want to spend years and years without a life, competing, fighting in order to become that MD, and may want to get a profession, which, aside from personal satisfaction, also allows you to have time for your family and kids, often causes surprise and criticism.

Thankfully, my family is here for me, and even my mother who always encouraged me to pursue medical career, is totally supporting me. I guess that is the most important factor. Then again, I guess my whole issue has to do with society attitude toward nursing, which still sucks, so be honest. But then again, to h*** with them, as BerkleyMom wrote - it's me who has to live with this decision and be happy.

Why does it bother me? Well, of course I am bound to have insecurities when people who got into med school come to ask for my help in science classes. Someone actually told me once that I will be wasting my brains in nursing school, huh-huh.....

Anyway, thank you guys again for your support and help! Your responses really helped me!

Praise,RN · Mar 9, 2007

Hi, follow your heart and not the opinions of others.

---

Praise, RN,BSN

RN2BE07 · Mar 9, 2007

don't let anyone rain on your parade.............you made your educational choices based on your dreams, not theirs, never let anyone tell you that you can't be something that you want to be.......follow your dreams and make yourself happy and forget about all the negative advice, in the end they will probably end up miserable...............good luck and never stop dreaming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GoodAsGoldRN · Mar 9, 2007

hi everyone... this thread is totally non-practical, just to vent and get some moral support...
the story is this. i am graduating from a very good college (not ivy, but still very good), with ba in chemistry and minor in biology. i am most likely going to columbia's bsn/msn track. i personally am very excited and happy about my choice. here is the problem, however...
most kids in my class are going to med schools, dental schools, law schools, mba programs, or simply get $5000 a month jobs at top firms right after graduation. and me... well, i am going to nursing school. even though it may be an ivy school, still - nursing. yeah, and don't forget the fact that few people actually know who nps are. every day someone in my school asks me - so why don't you go to med school? :angryfire and when i tell them that may be i don't want to go to med school, they look at me in such a way... one girl, who's teaching a lab in my school and doing a phd in chemistry actually said to me - may be you don't want to be challenged...
just today i talked to a girl who graduated couple of years ago, we took some classes together - and now she is a dentistry student. when she learned i have a little kid, she said - so that's why you don't go to med school... again, as an obvious implication - you got yourself tied down, now you have to settle for whatever...
i would really appreciate some advice on how to handle this kind of questions and statements about me... they really bring my enthusiasm down, and make me think - may be i wasted my time and will not make my best... eh, ok, i'm getting confused. any moral support will be much appreciated!

just look 'em in the eye and say "so when i'm sitting there holding your mother's hand after the doc leaves the rooms after saying 'i'm sorry, it's advanced cancer....there's nothing more that i can do'....and your mom starts crying, will you still be saying that to me?"

if they still give you any guff....say "what if it is you instead of your mom?"

ChCkBzk · Mar 12, 2007

I get the same thing all the time. But when I sit back and think about it, and look at all my friends who are in their first year of residency, I think to myself.....sucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, it's hard and probably great to be a doctor, but I swear none of my friends have actually eaten, slept, or had a life while they started med school 4 and 5 year ago. And they still don't have one.....and I don't see one in their near future.

They have spent the past few years of their life trying to prove how smart they are, and that's fabulous. But I still know who set the curve in uni! :) hehe

Instead of slaving over books for the past four years I have traveled the world, met tons of interesting people, seen things that you can't imagine, gone places few dare to go. In short, I have been getting to know what kind of people make up this world and I have learned how to relate to them. I think I will be a better nurse for it.

In the end, I simply can't fathom being a doctor. It doesn't appeal to me like nursing does. I want to be the one holding the hand, calming the patient, calming the family. I want to be the one who brings a smile to my patient's face. When that person looks back and says, wow I was so sick...and that nurse......she was so nice....she took care of me. THAT is what it's all about for me.

Career Columnist / Author · Mar 12, 2007

It's true that nurses are not high on the food chain in terms of prestige-

AND folks don't really know what we do-

AND it's still considered a traditional choice as opposed to

something more hip (which is almost anythingelse)

AND for the most part, the recognition from others is just not forthcoming.

..So we all deal with it, but we all also know the wonderful opportunities that exist within nursing, and the job security, and the satisfaction.

Not to minimize what you're experiencing- I feel your pain!

I've lived it and, after 24 yrs, do not regret my choice for a second.

FLAgal14 · Mar 13, 2007

I've actually had quite the opposite reaction from my med school friends - but it just may be that they are all in residency right now and are hating their lifes, or that they have matured and appreciate more what nurses do. But when I've told them that I'm going to nursing school they have all been nothing but supportive of me. I have one friend who is a medical intern right now who said the nicest thing to me. He said that hospitals can live with mediocre doctors but it's the nurses that are the backbone of the hospital and they are so important in patient care. And I can understand your worries - I came from a college in which everybody went to med school too - and sometimes I doubt myself but then remember that I have to live my life and my dreams and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing or thinks about my decision. You've got to do what makes you happy and not what's going to appease others, because in the end you are the one who has to live your life and live with the career decisions you make. Good luck with everything and don't let others nay say you or get you down - they are either insecure with their own decisions or jealous that you know what you want and are going for it.