I went to a prestigious University, majoring in General Biology as a PreMed student, and was planning to go into their Medical School as a Grad student to become some sort of Doctor.
Now I am at a less academically challenging College majoring in Nursing becasue my parents think there is a more open job market, and my previous University didn't offer that major.
This new college is not as rigourous and research oriented as my previous University. For instance, if I was at my previous University, I would be required to take multiple level courses in Physics, Calculus, Humanities, Languages, Chemistry, etc. even though they don't relate to my major. And I also had to take over 50 units(about 15 classes) each year to graduate in 4 years. But at this current college, I was only required to take necessary Biology and Nursing courses, and typical, easy G.Es. Also, I only needed 24 units(about 8 classes) each year to graducate in 4 years.
But this doesn' t relieve much because I was always a studious student.
What I want to know is if I made the right decisions(did I lower my standards since I was capable of becoming a doctor?) and what would you have done if you were in my shoes?
All I know is that I always wanted to go into something related to the medical field and working in the hospital and currently, I'm indecisive so I'm going with my parents, and I don't think I prefer either professions over the other yet.
Wow, Dixielee and husband, that was a *fantastic* post. It could not have been said better. Thank you for taking the time to write that! And to the original poster, I'm going to tag along with them and just say "what they said!" It is true, people are too concerned with status, especially when younger. I'd say you should try to pick something that feels right in your heart, something you could do for all the right reasons, and don't worry so much about what others will think of you when you start answering their "so what do you do?" question . . . .
You know, I completely understand where you are coming from. I have majored in everything out there just trying to find what fit me. There is so much out there to choose from and yet in the back of our minds we know we need to make a living, have security...etc. I also care about where I go to school. I like to go where I am going to be challenged intellectually and pushed to do my best.
I really wish you the best of luck in your process of deciding what to do. It is so frustrating!! The health care field is huge and somewhere in there will be something you love. Who knows...your path may not even take you to health care. Five years from now you may end up somewhere different. Either way, it will all work out. But listen to your gut! I knew a few years ago that I wanted to be a RN, but I ignored it for a year...then my SIL went for her LPN and I didn't want to go the same time as her..then I finally decided to go for my LPN but recently that door closed and you know what...I am now studying biology and will be starting my RN June of '05. It may of taken me 4 years to get here, but it did even though the whole way I was so upset because I felt like I was getting nowhere. Maybe I should of just gone for the RN from the start, but I have grown a lot on my way to this point. I know that this is what I really want, I know what to expect and I am ready.
All I am trying to say is that it will work out! Good luck!
At 19, you can't be expected to know, but hopefully when you reach my age, about 60 you will have learned that it matters far less what you do, doctor, nurse, whatever, but what really matters is who you are. If you become a doctor, be the best doctor you can. Give it everything you've got. If you become a nurse, likewise, don't just be satisfied with only 100%...give that extra that you have to reach deep into your heart and soul for. Hopefully, you will learn not to look down on others because you do not know their story. That "lowly waitress" who serves your food, may in fact be twice the person you are raising children working 2 jobs so she can put herself through school. Someday if you become a doctor that same "lowly waitress" may be the lawyer who defends you in a malpractice suit. You may think a policeman is beneath you, just a lowly cop. But, when you or someone you love is laying on the bloody pavement, when that lowly cop shows up, he will be the most beautiful person in the whole world. When someone breaks into your house at 2 in the morning and you are hiding in your bedroom with your cell phone, when that lowly cop shows up you will want to kiss his feet. By the way, when I was a lowly cop, we were called Peace Officers. When you are young, it is often important what others think about you and how they value your position. But somewhere along the line, if you live long enough and grow up, all that becomes important is how you think about and how your view yourself. I wish you good luck and may you live long and prosper!
This is beautiful. A few years ago I had someone try to break into my apt. When the two police men showed up I really did almost kiss their feet. I still remember their names and every word they said trying to comfort me. As most of us know already, nursing isn't the only "caring" profession. But I also have to say that no matter ones age, if they decide to get into any area of healthcare, tact is a must. You can't insult a patient in crisis. To be a nurse or a doctor you have to be able to take a person seriously and not harm them further with your words or facial expressions. Is charm school an elective :rotfl: ?
I went to a prestigious University, majoring in General Biology as a PreMed student, and was planning to go into their Medical School as a Grad student to become some sort of Doctor.
Now I am at a less academically challenging College majoring in Nursing becasue my parents think there is a more open job market, and my previous University didn't offer that major.
This new college is not as rigourous and research oriented as my previous University. For instance, if I was at my previous University, I would be required to take multiple level courses in Physics, Calculus, Humanities, Languages, Chemistry, etc. even though they don't relate to my major. And I also had to take over 50 units(about 15 classes) each year to graduate in 4 years. But at this current college, I was only required to take necessary Biology and Nursing courses, and typical, easy G.Es. Also, I only needed 24 units(about 8 classes) each year to graducate in 4 years.
But this doesn' t relieve much because I was always a studious student.
What I want to know is if I made the right decisions(did I lower my standards since I was capable of becoming a doctor?) and what would you have done if you were in my shoes?
All I know is that I always wanted to go into something related to the medical field and working in the hospital and currently, I'm indecisive so I'm going with my parents, and I don't think I prefer either professions over the other yet.
I was in a very simular spot about 2 years ago. I was in chiropractic school working on my DC degree when my school lost it accreditation. I orginally moved back home to take a half term off so that I could change schools. While at home I decided to look further into nursing (don't really know why). One of the largest nursing schools in my state is about 30 mins away so I thought I would try it since thier semester was about to start. Now I am 2 semester away from my BSN and would not go back to chiropractic school. I love nursing even more than I did chiropractic which i really loved.
The part about the class that had nothing to do with your major, they do. It is hard to see the benefit to some pre-med class (which is what you have to have to apply to chiropratic school). For example, as a chiropractor I would never really use organic chemistry, however I had to take part 1 and 2. Let me tell you, even thought I did not need org. chem to practic I did need it to understand many other things that I had to know and be able to use.
Also, in your case keep in mind that an RN degree will look good on your application to med school should you decide to return to that field. Plus I had several friends in chiropractic school that had a BSN and work PRN for money during the off time and weekends. Believe me that is better than having to work at some min. wage job to help pay your way.
Why would you let someone talk you into a career that you are not eager to enter..sounds like your temperment is better suited toward being a PA or physcian...being a nurse in definitely NOT a step downwards..but only you should believe that in order to be the best possible nurse you can be!
OTE=Nurse Ratchet]I went to a prestigious University, majoring in General Biology as a PreMed student, and was planning to go into their Medical School as a Grad student to become some sort of Doctor.
Now I am at a less academically challenging College majoring in Nursing becasue my parents think there is a more open job market, and my previous University didn't offer that major.
This new college is not as rigourous and research oriented as my previous University. For instance, if I was at my previous University, I would be required to take multiple level courses in Physics, Calculus, Humanities, Languages, Chemistry, etc. even though they don't relate to my major. And I also had to take over 50 units(about 15 classes) each year to graduate in 4 years. But at this current college, I was only required to take necessary Biology and Nursing courses, and typical, easy G.Es. Also, I only needed 24 units(about 8 classes) each year to graducate in 4 years.
But this doesn' t relieve much because I was always a studious student.
What I want to know is if I made the right decisions(did I lower my standards since I was capable of becoming a doctor?) and what would you have done if you were in my shoes?
All I know is that I always wanted to go into something related to the medical field and working in the hospital and currently, I'm indecisive so I'm going with my parents, and I don't think I prefer either professions over the other yet.
1. (Others are invited to argue this since I don't know this is true for sure.) I am probably not going into nursing and am going into medicine because of one conversation: I was talking to the Director of my school's nursing program and I asked her about opportunities for medical research and nurses. She said that nurses could not head their own research for medical problems and had less privileges in this area. Thus, because I like research and want to have the option of being able to do that autonoumosly in the future, I am probably not going into nursing..
I partly disagree with what your dean told you. If the type of research you want to do is within the discipline of medicine, then, you need to have a degree in medicine to do that. If you want to do basic science research in physiology, then you should get your PhD in physiology ... or cell biology ... or something like that.
However, there are also plenty of opportunities for nurses to do head research teams in nursing. Nursing is a broad field that encompasses many aspects of health care. If you are interested in doing research that falls under the scope of practice of nursing, then you should get your degree in nursing. One nice advantage of nursing is that you don't need to get a doctoral degree to be involved in research. It helps to have a PhD to be head of a large research project, but there are lots of small research grants in nursing available for smaller projects that go to novice researches with only Master's Degrees.
So ... it's just a matter of what discipline you want to focus on. They all offer research opportunities.
firstly, you are in the company of hard working, capable men and women who were called into this profession for a variety of reasons. not everyone is "here" to fulfill a life long dream; some are here to pay the bills, support a family, or just to land a secure job with benefits. it's perfectly okay to use logic when making major life-altering decisions. i am sure your parents concerns come from the greatest of love and intentions; love them, listen to them, and know that ultimately you will be the one who has to live with your decision. isn't it possible for you to be diligent and take your scholastic opportunity as a time to explore your prospects as a young adult? nursing will teach you that there is not always a definate solution to any one problem; often it's a matter of finding the best fit! secondly, do not assume that nurses are simply aspiring doctors who didn't make the cut. they are entirely different professions, and provide entirely different services. bristle.
do what makes you happy. follow your passion. just work on the attitude. nurses are not lower than doctors. they are both humans, both stink when they poop. if a person is happy and content, he is the most successful of all.
If you become a nurse, likewise, don't just be satisfied with only 100%...give that extra that you have to reach deep into your heart and soul for.
Dixielee and Advice from my husband....
such beautiful words, full of wisdom, life, compassion, kindness, goodness...
if you live long enough and grow up, all that becomes important is how you think about and how your view yourself. I wish you good luck and may you live long and prosper!
blessings and good health be upon for both of you. :)
and Nurse Ratchet, may you have wisdom,sound judgment and discernment to whatever decision you'll make. have a nice life!
I see in your profile that you are only 19 years old, so I will cut you a little slack because of that. You may want to re read your post and consider who you are asking for help with your problem. Right off the bat, you inferred that nursing school is not difficult and certainly not as prestigeous as your previous program. You also said that you would be lowering your standards to become a nurse. So after insulting every one of us for our career choices and our intelligence you come to us for answers? Those are things that stand out to me in your post. So are you here for real answers or are you just bitter and angry at your parents and are here to take it out on us? Since you apparently have such a low opinion of nurses, I don't think we can be of help to you. Maybe you could find a board for aspiring physicians who are more on par with your intelligence level. Good luck with your choices.
I am a nurse because I chose that for myself, it sounds from reading your post that your Parents are choosing your future. Time to sit down and have a talk with them and let them know what YOU want your future to be. Remember that the education you get in nursing so you can take your NCLEX is basic nursing, you will constantly be challenged, have many seminars, speciality certifications, and you can continue up to your doctorate in nursing if you choose, but it must be your decision, not your parents.
scottp118
10 Posts
Wow, Dixielee and husband, that was a *fantastic* post. It could not have been said better. Thank you for taking the time to write that! And to the original poster, I'm going to tag along with them and just say "what they said!" It is true, people are too concerned with status, especially when younger. I'd say you should try to pick something that feels right in your heart, something you could do for all the right reasons, and don't worry so much about what others will think of you when you start answering their "so what do you do?" question . . . .