This constant nagging....

versatile_kat · Oct 31, 2003

Well, let me tell you that you're not alone. I know quite a few nurses who are always wanting more from their profession (in the terms of knowledge and understanding, not money and scheduling), me included. It was probably around the same time you're at right now that I was wondering if medicine was what I wanted to further my career in ... my brother is an MD and has always wanted me to go to med school.

Like you, I started out in an ICU after graduating from college and eventually went to a large teaching facility to work in an open heart transplant unit. If you feel a little stagnant where you're at, try switching to a new and more challenging area like open heart or trauma. But I guarantee, if you're like me, you'll get bored there, too. Which is why I'm heading to CRNA school in the fall of next year. I thought and thought about whether I wanted to go back to med school or get my CRNA license and these are my reasons (for not going to med school)...

1. I love being a nurse.

2. I eventually want to have children and have ample time with my husband to watch them grow up. Not that doctor's don't have children ... it's just quite a bit harder when you have to take frequent call (depending on your specialty) and at least 4 years of your life is devoted to medicine AFTER you graduate from med school for a residency.

3. MONEY!!! It costs a small fortune to attend medical school and, unfortunately, most new MD's won't make near enough money to pay their loans off after graduation in a timely manner, unless they join the armed forces (which adds an entirely new load of baggage to the equation).

4. I'm sure you already know the benefits of becoming a CRNA in terms of job satisfaction, since I've seen you post on their discussion board before. There's just no good arguement for NOT going to graduate school to obtain a CRNA license (at least as far as I can see) ... you get the best of both world's -- you're constantly learning new and amazing things; the profession is grounded in pathophysiology, chemistry and pharmacology (which I've yet to be bored by, and doubt I ever will); you still maintain the nurse/patient bond, albeit a generally shorter one; and all you have to do is go to gaswork.com to know that you are being paid well for your choice of vocation.

5. I love being a nurse.

I hope this helps a little with your internal dilemma. Bottom line - do what you think will make YOU happy. You can't please everyone, so you might as well try pleasing yourself when it comes to what you want to do with the rest of your life! Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide to do.

J. B. · Oct 31, 2003

I have to agree that I have the same feelings and found myself drawn to building my own business (Businesses actually). I dont hate nursing but believe my time is worth a whole lot more. I have also learned that no one can ever find the freedom the desire unles they creat the assests that will alow it to happen.

Read dream and find the avenues that provie revenue streams that are more passive.

That is what I am building.

In the mean time my patients get the best care I can possibly provide. They know and acknowledge that I am good and boy that makes my day everytime.

Nursie30 · Oct 31, 2003

I have been doing MDS's for almost 4 yrs, (well not anymore because I walked out of my job) but before I walked out I felt a need to do more with my nursing ability, I just haven't found it yet, most places around here are nursing homes because I live in a small town and the hospitals don't pay as much as nursing homes do, I've been unemployed for almost 2 mos, and still don't know what I want to do, or even if I want to continue as a nurse.

LisaRN2B · Oct 31, 2003

I am not a nurse yet, just a lowly nursing student. I felt the need to reply to your post because it has been a struggle for me in deciding whether to go to nursing school or med school.

As I take my classes, frequently the prof will say, " ...but we won't go into that right now, it is just beyond the scope of this class..." NO, NO, NO! I want to know more! I want to be in a profession where I can apply all the things I am learning, but as I learn what they are teaching me in class, I still want to know MORE! (Am I making any sense?)

For me, at this point in time, it boils down to money (the cost of med school) and how long it will take me to complete my degree to get out in the job market. If I had more resources, and if I weren't pushing 40 with 5 kids in the house, I would be in med school. I say if you do not have anything more holding you back but a few questions, and not much more, by God...follow what you REALLY want to do...

Just my 2 cents...

Empress · Oct 31, 2003

To be honest, I am going into nursing so I can transition into medical school later. There are some things that I like about nursing, but the first semester of nursing classes really focused what my goals in life are when I realized I wanted to know more about diseases, pathology, physiology, medications, etc. I totally understand the frustration of wanting to know MORE.

You could say I am "settling," I need to finish a bachelors degree anyways and nursing would provide steady employment and valuable clinical experience. I have a small child who needs me more than I need medical school, and I would like to improve my financial situation so the burden of student loans isn't so overwhleming. I am also in my 20's so I have time. I do like nursing, I like taking care of patients, but I just want something else.

New CCU RN · Nov 2, 2003

I thank you all for your responses. There is also a similiar thread going around at this same time called nursing school/medicine something like that.

I have alot to debate and think about these days. I am very torn between going for CRNA school or medicine. Both have the scientific focus, varying degrees of autonomy, and are extremely challanging. The CRNA route would make most logical sense given that I already have a BSN and ICU experience but I often wonder if I will regret not going for medical school. I am still young (23) with no children just an extremely supportive soon to be husband who just wants me to make up my mind either way :)

Most of the time it seems like the anesthesia route would me most sense... I would only have three years of schooling left instead of 4 plus residency thus allowing me to do those fun things like have a family sooner, it would be less student loans...less debt, a more natural progression, and it does seem to be a very interesting field. Every CRNA I have ever meet seems to absolutely love their job.

But then other days, I feel like medicine is the route I would like to go... I really don't know if I became a doc that I would specialize in anethesia... my true love is l&d so I would probably become an OB... (I know there is midwifery however, it isn't something that interests me....many reasons, wont even go there) or maybe pediatrics... thus it is not like I would either be a CRNA or MDA... ahh, the decisions. Maybe I should flip a coin... hehe

Right now my plan is to take Physics and the upper level organic and sit for the MCATS (I already have Bio and Chem) and see how I do. I may actually get another BS in Bio while I am at it. And then decide from there.... primarily dependant on the MCATS.... we'll see....... thanks for reading

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Nov 2, 2003

Originally posted by New CCU RN
...but I often wonder if I will regret not going for medical school.
I am still young (23) with no children just an extremely supportive soon to be husband who just wants me to make up my mind either way :)
... I really don't know if I became a doc that I would specialize in anethesia... my true love is l&d so I would probably become an OB...

You are too young for regrets...it sounds to me like you know what you want your decision to be, but also want to be loyal to nursing. Very understandable. Just take with you the part of nursing, the caring about the patient as a person not a disease, symptom, or condition, with you into your medical practice!

Good luck!

PMHNP10 · Nov 2, 2003

I have been here. I know this feeling well. And for me, if I were to make the decision 100 more times, I'd pick nursing all 100 times. I love the more personal patient contact. I'm not meaning to be inflammatory, but IMO, MDs treat, I care. I love that if something goes wrong and I have stayed within my scope and done what I need to do I don't face a $$$$$ lawsuit. I love not being on call 24/7 365 (366 on leap years). I love not spending a decade in school. I love not being in a profession which has the highest rate of suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, and divorce.

There is a field in nursing that can offer you autonomy, knowledge, and a challenge. Nursing is as finite as you want to make it. All you need to do is search. Keep one thing in mind, though, if you are having doubts, the worst thing you can do is not do what you want. I would imagine no worse feeling than looking back and saying to yourself in 10, 20, etc yrs-- "man I screwed up. I shoulda..." So do what you need to do for you.

Liddle Noodnik · Nov 2, 2003

Originally posted by New CCU RN
I appreciate anyone who is still reading this and wonder if there is anyone else out there with the same feelings... thank you.

There was a time when I thought about med school, I met some med students and not only did it seem possible but more so I found I wasn't so different from them intellectually or otherwise. I thought it through though, I had a young child, I didn't want to invest all that much more time in school, and then as a doctor you can hardly go part time when you need to (I am sensitive to stress).

But I think if that is what you feel inside you would always regret that you didn't at least TRY it. And that's a horrible feeling. There are things I was SURE were right for me, and they ended up NOT right for me, but I felt so GOOD that I had ventured out and taken a risk. That way, no wondering what it would have been like or whether my life would have been better.