Why did you become a nurse instead of a doctor?

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 4, 2005

My father was a physician -- a small town doc who took care of the whole patient, not just the disease, had long-standing relationships with them, etc. He had the kind of emotional connection with his patients that a lot of physicians today do not have. He was very much beloved by our town.

A lot of people tried to convince me to go to medical school instead of nursing school, but I never seriously considered it. Having seen the toll that practicing that kind of medicine took on my father and many of his colleagues, it was not a lifestyle that interested me. Also, he and most of his friends encouraged me to go to nursing school -- to get a graduate degree and be one of those "specialized nurses" as they used to call them -- those nurses who have flexible hours, nice paychecks, etc. They often felt trapped by their careers and by their committments -- owning practices, employing staff, etc. -- difficult to move from one place to another, almost impossible to switch specialties -- difficult to be flexible with work hours, having to work on holidays, nights, etc. even though you have years of experience, etc. They told me that nurses with advanced educations have more flexibility and that was important to me.

That's what I did. I got a BSN at 22, an MSN at 26, and a PhD in nursing at 41. I've had the intellectual stimulation I need through all of my graduate study and through my jobs as a CNS, Staff Development Educator, and Program Coordinator. I have outrageously flexible hours: I come and go as I please. I make a good salary. I had only a couple of small student loans for graduate school. I have no regrets about choosing nursing.

llg

energizerbunny05 · Mar 4, 2005

the bottom line is that medicine or nursing is not for everyone. People pursue careers based on many things. Not many people are willing to sacrifice themselves to go into medicine it takes too much work and dedication which everyone is not willing to do. to each his own. u have to admit they are both great careers that serve the same purpose which is to take care of the patient

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

I never thought about being a Dr because educational standard in UK means straight A students- me not one of them cause I didn't wanna study that hard in first place.

Q. · Mar 4, 2005

Actually when I was in undergrad I was a biology major and my desire was, essentially, to be a scientist of some sort. As I started along that major I was struggling with the heavy math components (trig, calc, etc) and thought I wouldn't be able to do it. So I looked at other majors to see if there was something that was about as scientific with less math and I found nursing. I also had an interest in women's health as well so I thought nursing would be a good fit. So I transferred majors my junior year.

I enjoyed nursing school, but I still longed to work in a lab setting and I considered going to med school to become a pathologist or medical examiner. I took the MCAT during my final semester of nursing school. It was by far the most difficult exam I had ever taken.

When I graduated nursing school and found my niche (obstetrical nursing) I was pretty comfortable. I still enjoy obstetrics and women's health from a nursing standpoint but I still desire to be an ME. But I don't think I'd ever really do that.

CHATSDALE · Mar 4, 2005

Serendipity

tiredfeetED · Mar 4, 2005

I actually have thought of going back to school for the past couple of years to become A md/do. At 28, I have a child and one on they way and think that it is not worth taking the time away from them. I have ok grades from my teenager days that also have kept me from trying to apply. I think a whole lot different from when i was 20 yrs old now. I have a thirst for knowledge, I am always asking ED docs questions, reading CTs stuff like that....I will pursue a FNP/ ACNP, and we all know that pay for FNP is the same or if not less.

I have spoke to our ED docs, and they stated that I would better off staying as a RN secondary to the tortures of loans and the torture of 7 yrs of being broke.

James Huffman · Mar 4, 2005

To me, the question is like asking, "Why didn't I become an accountant?" Becoming a physician never really occurred to me.

Jim Huffman, RN

energizerbunny05 · Mar 4, 2005

tiredfeetED said:
I actually have thought of going back to school for the past couple of years to become A md/do. At 28, I have a child and one on they way and think that it is not worth taking the time away from them. I have ok grades from my teenager days that also have kept me from trying to apply. I think a whole lot different from when i was 20 yrs old now. I have a thirst for knowledge, I am always asking ED docs questions, reading CTs stuff like that....I will pursue a FNP/ ACNP, and we all know that pay for FNP is the same or if not less.
I have spoke to our ED docs, and they stated that I would better off staying as a RN secondary to the tortures of loans and the torture of 7 yrs of being broke.[/Q
u seem to have a real desire can your spouse work later on so that u could pursue your dream? My husband works and makes a good living so we would not be necessarily broke for the next 7 years. plus u r allowed to take out loans for living expenses just food for thought.

GlowBear500 · Mar 4, 2005

Thank you guys for sharing your point of views. I feel actually reassured now that nursing is indeed the right career choice for me. I think it will be more rewarding for me on a personal level. And nursing has so many great advancement options. I'm very excited to get started with school in september. Cant wait to learn all that medical knowledge :nurse:

PennyLane, RN · Mar 4, 2005

I actually did want to become a doc, but chose nursing for all the reasons the OP mentioned. Give me my 3 12 hour days and I'll be quite happy. Now that I see more of what the docs do and have to go through, I'm very glad I chose nursing.

mattsmom81 · Mar 4, 2005

Rollins said:
I want to have time with my family, that's the #1 thing for me. To be able to come home everynight, go to my son's T-Ball games, movies with my wife, ect. I wouldn't want to take the time for that much school, despite the money or privledge of being "Doctor". Some things are just too important to me.

YES! I wanted to punch in and punch out and not have to take call...I wanted a life in other words. Too many docs just do not get one...but believe the power and prestige will compensate for this.

Sadly too many docs decompensate... use their 'stresses' as an excuse for being verbally abusive to nurses..but they knew what they were getting into so I give them little sympathy.

arciedee · Mar 4, 2005

Up until a year ago or so I pretty much had my heart set on becoming a doctor. I had considered both fields, but felt that medicine was where I wanted to go since there was nothing really stopping me (aside from taking a few classes). Over the course of a few personal events I really started questioning my decision and decided that I would rather pursue nursing. What it boils down to for me is this: I want to go to medical school, however I do not actually want to be a doctor... if that makes any sense. I think I would really enjoy the education and experiences that med school affords, but knowing what I know about the actual practice of medicine, it is not what I am looking for in a career. Nursing feels like a better fit for me in terms of scope of practice, schedule flexibility, the fact that you're not locked into one specialty (I suppose you're not in medicine, either, but who wants to do another residency if you change your mind along the way?). It just feels like the right path for me!