Would you ever be a doctor?

[arizonanurse]

I'm sure we've all gotten the question, some time or another from friends and family, "Why didn't you just become a doctor?" As if a nurse is just someone who helps the doctor, who wants to be in the medical field but wasn't quite smart enough to become an MD.

So I've thought about it. Honestly, if I had to do it over, there's no way I would ever become a doctor. Sure, you make more money, but the hours are horrible and the schooling takes a million years and costs an arm and a leg. I would much rather have a career where I can pick my shifts, schedule my days so that I have seven or eight days off in a row, and be able to go home at the end of the day and not have to be on call. Plus, I know I can get a job anywhere at the drop of a hat, and I can just as easily work part-time as full-time or overtime. And I can call in sick, at least a few times a year, without a huge hassle of trying to find another doctor to cover for me or having to cancel and reschedule all my appointments/surgeries for the day. And the pay, while nowhere near as much as what a doctor makes, is definitely enough to live comfortably on. Plus, I have a life outside of my job.

So what am I missing? Why does anybody become a doctor? Let's say you had a full scholarship to medical school - would you take it?

[Angie O'Plasty]

Well, my story is that I actually applied to medical school right out of undergrad, and didn't get in, after being waitlisted at three schools. I was getting ready to start the reapplication process but then got to thinking about how things would work when I have a family someday (and the fact that if I went the route of becoming a doctor it would be a long time before I'd even be open to the possibility) as well as the fact that doctors often don't have much time to work on the preventive aspects of health care, which is an area I would like to emphasize in my practice. After much prayer, soul-searching and research I decided that in light of these concerns a better fit for me would be to become a nurse practitioner. So I applied to three direct-entry accelerated NP programs and got into one of them, and that's where I am now. It's going well and I believe that I made a good decision--I like the fact that nursing has a lot of flexibility and options for hours and work settings, as well as the fact that jobs can be found no matter where you are (basically the same things the OP mentioned). We certainly need both medicine and nursing, but I'm glad I've chosen to pursue nursing.

[Tiwi]

Nursing offers personalised care, whereas medicine is more concerned with "that fractured NOF down the hall" or as I was once referred to "the scope on the trolley"

The pressures doctors suffer I think would be equivalent to that of nurse managers, because the buck stops at both roles. Nurses, whatever their ilk, are probably more at risk of legal action anyway, as we "may not have reported changes" or "did not follow orders " - yeah right!, but you know what I mean.

So, no I wouldn't be a doctor despite the money or assistance of a scholarship, but neither would I want to be a manager.

[spiceyqueen]

when growing up it was one of my greatest dreams(among others) to be a doctor and treat and help sick people. i really detested nurses because my experience with them was that they gave me pain, they are nasty and rarely smile, i swore when i was five that i will never be a nurse. until one time my mum was sick and i saw how they took care of her( but that didnt want me to be a doc). when i decided to do nursing it wwas only as a stepping stone for medicine. after my first year of nursing school, i realised that yes i want to help sick people, but i love the contact i have as a nurse more than a doc. and i dont regret it(not yet anyway)

but its irritating when friends and family go now you can be a doctor, you have the brains(yeah right), and i go to them you try it first and tell me how it is. i enjoy nursing, with all its craziness, fun, challenges etc

[icegambit]

When I was in high school I thought that I wanted to be a doctor. Being a doctor seemed great when I was young looking from the outside. I thought about how proud my parents would be, the people I could help, and the money and prestige the profession has to offer. However, as I went through undergrad, I realized that being a doctor is not for me. I realized that there's that thing called med school and residency. And then I thought about life after school as a doctor. I realized that for a majority of doctors, the practice of medicine is their life. I am the type of person that like to enjoy life. I couldn't see myself practicing medicine while letting life pass me by. For me, nursing offers a balance that will let me live a full life.

[clee1]

Simple answer:

Not just NO, but %$#*& NO!!!!

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Absolutely!

Growing up I always wanted to be a physician, I even have most of my med school pre-reqs done. If I wasn't 33 and had kids I would be a Dr. I don't have the time for it now though and don't want to put my kids through that. If I was still 20 years old I would do it in a heartbeat though. Heck, maybe I still will! My children's Ped was an RN and then she went back to medical school when she was in her 40's and she loves it and is a fantastic MD.

More than likely I will go to NP school, I know I will be happy and satisfied with that :) I think where I am now in life the NP route is a better fit and I will be happier overall.

[sunnyjohn]

Yes I would. I've had good experiences with both nurses and doctors.

I am looking at a few DO schools for a "maybe someday" situation.

[damarystx]

Yes, I was actually looking at both dr. and np. I sat down with an advisor and worked out the med school plan and decided that the lenght of time to complete school was not realistic for me at that time in my life. So I decided to pursue nursing instead, I am glad that I chose to pursue nursing instead, I think it is a much better fit for me.

[JaneyW]

NO. I love the role of the nurse. I enjoy my profession. The MDs have their role and I have mine. I have no need or desire to change places with them. I love spending time with my patients "translating" for the docs and educating my pts. I also enjoy working with good docs and helping them as a team to provide the best care for our patients.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

No. I like having a life outisde of my job.

[luvdaisy]

If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked if I was going to go back to school to be a doctor, I wouldnt need to the scholarship Heck, I could quit my nursing job...but I wouldnt........... because I love it.