You should never ask a nurse this question.

[Nurse Yoni]

Why didn’t you become a doctor?

This question is, by far, one of the most provoking questions you should never ask a nurse.

Nurses are wired; differently, we have different goals and different backgrounds.

Not every nurse’s dream was ever to become a doctor. There are people whom I work with that I always wanted to become nurses for so many reasons.

Some say they became nurses because they’ve always had the desire to take care of the sick. By the way to nursing means caring by definition.

Some say they got into nursing because a parent, relative, spouse, or friend introduced them into their career.

Others say they became nurses because they were sick and were impressed by the level of the care they got from nurses.

Others say they wanted a career that was more fulfilling and rewarding and thought that nursing was worth it.

Others reveal that the path to becoming a nurse is way shorter than medicine.

Others would say medicine was harder for them, and they wanted something achievable without having to go through the stress of medical school.

See! Not every nurse wanted to be a doctor.

We are professionals that play a vital role in the business of caring for people, and we deserve some respect.

A better way to ask would be, “why did you decide to become a nurse?

[GrumpyRN, NP]

8 hours ago, beekee said:

If you take offense to the question, then perhaps you need to reflect on why.

I personally do not take offence at the question when it is asked by a member of the public or a patient. Being male and starting nursing in the 1980's I was asked many times "When do you become a doctor?"

I am wondering, however, why a supposed nurse on a nursing forum is asking that question of nurses.

1 hour ago, Forest2 said:

I would like to hear about nurses that wanted to be doctors> I believe that would be more interesting.

I agree, what made them change direction?

10 hours ago, klone said:

I thought that was puns

It is a partial Oscar Wilde quote, the full quote is;

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.”

??

[sevensonnets]

I think 'provoking' is and was intended to be the operative word here.

[labordude, BSN, RN]

On 11/16/2019 at 7:18 AM, GrumpyRN said:

I agree, what made them change direction?

Actually going into nursing was the change. Going into medicine was always the ultimate goal. Life circumstances necessitated quicker access to a solid career and nursing was a logical choice where I could still be in healthcare and caring for people. I wasn't expecting it to be 15+ years later that I'd be actually trying to make the change, but here we are and I will be much better in the end for all my experiences as a nurse.

[ArmyRntoMD, BSN, RN]

People asked me this question. I thought about it, and asked myself the same question. and now I am PRN working 4 shifts a month while finishing up premed and studying for the MCAT. Switching is right for some people, and nursing is better for some others.