Why are people encouraging me to become an M.D. rather than an RN?

MorningLight · Feb 18, 2011

My identical twin went to medical school, I went to nursing school. It's funny to see how our lives have been shaped by these decisions. There are pros and cons in both situations. You have to ask yourself what you want out of life. Medical school is a huge commitment, and I personally don't feel MDs always get out what they put in. Having watched my best friend (my twin) go through it, I have ultimate respect for MDs, and they do deserve what they have sacrificed for. I am married with children, while my twin sister is still single with an insane schedule that often offers her little sleep or recreation.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 18, 2011

Bottom line is that you have to follow your heart, not what other people say. What do you feel? What attracts you about nursing, and what attracts you about medicine? Nurses aren't doctor's handmaidens or people who were too dumb to get into medical school. Nursing can be quite intellectually demanding in its own right, if you're the type that's curious and wants to continue to grow and learn. On the other hand, given today's realities, I can't really extol the hands-on, holistic, patient-focused care that's supposed to be the nursing model. Doctors have very little time to spend with individual patients, but unfortunately nurses are trending that way as well.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

Just curious, OP, you already have degrees in two very marketable fields, why do you want to study something else? Do you feel you wish to answer a calling?

caliotter3 · Feb 18, 2011

My grandfather expressed the same opinion but at that time, as naive as I was, I sensed that I didn't have the academic wherewithal for medical school.

Orange Tree · Feb 18, 2011

I suggest you become an astronaut and help me get back to my home planet.

Seawitch · Feb 18, 2011

It might not have anything to do with your intelligence, but probably because they think it's more prestigious to be a MD than a lowly nurse???

If your become a doc, you will have to devote the next decade of your life to study - at the very minimum.

chudder · Feb 18, 2011

Have you considered PA school?

GwizBob · Feb 18, 2011

Maybe people are encouraging you to be a MD over a RN, because becoming a RN is increasingly becoming more difficult. The year+ long waiting lists to get into a RN program and the lack of RN jobs in the market is a huge deterrent. Imagine finishing school with a huge student loan and having no job/income to pay it back? It is very frustrating... some RNs gripe that they could have been a MD with the amount of time it took to become a RN.

People have their opinions...

Whatever makes you happy is best.

21ican · Feb 18, 2011

If you want a peaceful real good life, don't choose any of them.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and another degree in Chemical Engineering. Just last year, I applied to various accerelerated nursing programs and medical schools across the nation. I have completed the pre-requisites for medical (year of...biology, english, physics, calculus, general chem, and o chem) and nursing school (chem, micro, physio, and anatomy). In addition, I have taken the TEA's and MCAT. As I grew up, I have garnered a significant interest in the sciences, particularly involving and dealing with the human body itself. It fascinates me to extreme levels and makes me closer to life than itself. I don't know much about the medical field, but I'm prepared to learn and give it all I got. With this being said...
I have been volunteering at my local hospital and the staff was curious to discover where I was headed in life. I informed them that I was deciding between nursing or medical school. However, something really attracted my attention. The majority of the staff ranging from physicians, nurses, pharmacists, security guards, receptionists, and resources department have all encouraged and strongly advised me to become a physician instead of an RN. I wanted to know why, but most of them were very busy with work. Until I stopped by the labor and delivery, an RN who had experience in the field of nursing for 45 years (20 in the military and 25 in the civilian sector). She stated to me that "if your ever going to get any job in the hospital, you go into medicine." As she proceeded to speak, she began speaking of how nobody takes nurses seriously, politics behind the field, and that they are overworked. That's all she said because she was becoming very busy. Another RN told me "become a leader, not a follower" Other than that, my parents, professors, mentors, peers, friends, and others have advised me to take the medical route and they bat another eye when it comes to nursing. Why is this? I come to notice that many of the respondents or repliers here are nurses and I welcome any biased/nonbiased judgments, criticism, advocates, or any other comments.
Anybody have any ideas/suggestions/notes?

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 18, 2011

It's most likely the prestige that is having people recommend MD to you. Only you can decide which you would like to do however.

Negatives:

MD: You got 4 years of Medical School, plus whatever time you have to put in training in your specialty (I've heard anywhere from 3-7 years depending on what you go for.)

Sleep: Not sure how they do it, but most MD's don't seem to get very much of it. I would feel unsafe practicing and making critical decisions on a lack of sleep.

Family: You don't seem to have a lot of time for that either, and have to have a very understanding spouse, I have noticed the most successful marriages seem to be when they are married to other MD's, both can relate to the insane schedule.

Liability: They often are the "last call" and because of this, it can make them targets for lawsuits.

Pros:

Money: I'm pretty certain they all have much nicer cars and houses than I ever will.

Prestige: People are going to look up to you. Although I've met many people nowadays who seem to be impressed by nurses now too.

Education: You know a lot about a lot of stuff, which is kinda cool.

People have different motivations, you will probably figure out very soon which is a better fit for you, if you decide to do either at all.

Katie5 · Feb 18, 2011

Now you are one degreed person:). Why be anything else when you can be top dog? I say, look into your intentions and if it's want you want, then shoot for it.

In the end, what matters is you and not what other people think.Life is meant to be lived and not run through. Enjoy the breeze(I feel it on my face:). Live your life.