Which would you recommend to your child?

[antmaril]

My son is currently in nursing school. He graduated last year with a degree in Biology. Didn't really have a plan, but it's understandable because his dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and died in 2008. Even though he wasn't sure what he was going to do, he graduated summa cum laude in four years. I am very proud of him because it wasn't easy under the circumstances. He considered med school, pharmacy, PA and decided on a one year second degree nursing program, with his his ultimate goal being a nurse practitioner (probably family practice).

I think it's a good choice for him.

 

[golfgal]

Another benefit to becoming a PA is that if you are interested in working in a more rural setting often they have loan forgiveness programs available.

 

[crz4mm2]

Another benefit to becoming a PA is that if you are interested in working in a more rural setting often they have loan forgiveness programs available.

These programs are available to Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Doctors too.

I don't know if I would encourage anyone to become a doctor in this present time. We have no idea what the new Health care reform will do to the reimbursement for Health Care workers.

 

[Disneylover79]

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am licensed to diagnose, treat, write prescriptions ( including narcotics), suture, etc. I work in a practice where there are also 2 Physicians Assistants. We have 1 doctor who works half days. We are pretty much independent. We can ask his advice if we need it, but we make our own decisions. Being a mid-level provider is great. We bascially can do what the doctors do. The money is good & we don't have to deal with some of the things that the doctors do. With a lot of the changes in health care, mid-levels are becoming more sought after. Insurance companies realize that we can do the same things for a better price which drives our salaries up.

I second this, I am also a Nurse Practitioner, I am certified in Acute Care, but I work for a cardiology group. I love my job, I get to do everything a doctor can. The only problem is that in the state of Florida I can't write for narcotics, but in a cardiology group we don't write for narcotics.

If you want to be a doctor, then go for it. It is very time consuming. I think the average age of a doctor when they are done with school is early to mid 30's. So if that is what you want to do then start right out of HS.

Good luck!!!

 

[Bearvet]

DS17 is in a similar situation. He really wants to be an Athletic Trainer but also wants to go to med school to become an orthopedic surgeon!

We have discovered that you do not need to major in Biology or any other science to get into medical school. In fact, it seems to be suggested that medical schools find candidates who have majored in humanities to be a strong consideration. Of course, you must also take the required science courses for that medical school (chem, bio, biochem, organic chem, etc). This may vary from college to college, and we're basing this on Ohio State University FYI.

So right now, the plan is to major in Athletic Training (masters level) and be sure to include the science courses for med school. Then he can decide if he still wants to go on to med school - and maybe work as an AT while in med school.

It's hard to know exactly what you want to do when you're 17 years old. I guess at this point, I would vote for C. Check medical school requirements at the colleges you are considering. Good luck!

 

[golfgal]

DS17 is in a similar situation. He really wants to be an Athletic Trainer but also wants to go to med school to become an orthopedic surgeon!

We have discovered that you do not need to major in Biology or any other science to get into medical school. In fact, it seems to be suggested that medical schools find candidates who have majored in humanities to be a strong consideration. Of course, you must also take the required science courses for that medical school (chem, bio, biochem, organic chem, etc). This may vary from college to college, and we're basing this on Ohio State University FYI.

So right now, the plan is to major in Athletic Training (masters level) and be sure to include the science courses for med school. Then he can decide if he still wants to go on to med school - and maybe work as an AT while in med school.

It's hard to know exactly what you want to do when you're 17 years old. I guess at this point, I would vote for C. Check medical school requirements at the colleges you are considering. Good luck!

That sounds like a really good plan. All you really need to get into medical school is to pass the MCAT-it doesn't matter what courses you take to do that. Athletic Training is a huge field now. Most high schools employ an athletic trainer either on staff or through a contract. There are a lot of programs around the country where you can get your BS and Masters in 5 years too so those are well worth looking into. It will also give him a good idea of what it takes to be a doctor. It will also be worthwhile for him to look into a combined AT/Physical Therapy degree to make him more marketable.

 

[dakcp2001]

My advice (sorry moms & dads) is to choose a school with a lot of majors to choose from. Most students change their major twice before graduation. If I had a dollar for every "pre med" freshman I would be rich. When you get to college you are going to see & learn about things you never considered. You may find something you love and want to pursue. I worked in Admissions for a major university for 2 years, and I think you need to keep your options open. First semester is about adjusting to living away, making new friends, and learning how to be independent and on top of your school work on your own. A first semester pre med course load is a killer, especially if you are not sure if that is what you want to do. I would recommend one of the lab science courses and some gen ed requirements that you find interesting. You need some non lab science courses to balance your gpa.

Please keep in mind that Pre Med is a track, not a major. And most colleges have the "weed out" classes freshman & soph year. These are the A&P w lab, Chem 1&2 with labs, Organic w lab & in some schools Physics.Oh and calc 1 & 2 will be in there. Pre Med majors can major in a lot of things- Biology, Chemistry, kinesiology etc. i did the Kinesiology route. After graduation I didnt use it at all.

It doesnt sound like you know enough about these professions to make a reasonable decision. That is normal for a high school student. I would suggest asking to shadow at a hospital if you know anyone.

If nursing is your "last last last last resort" you will never make it through the program, which is lucky for the patients. You have to really want it to make it, it is a tough program.

You do not have to know now what you want to do. You need an idea of what interests you and what you like, but you also need to consider a career at the end. You may find that you love Physical Therapy or something totally different like Anthropology. I guess what i am trying to say is, do not limit yourself before you even get there or you might miss something that you may have loved.

 

[Holly]

These programs are available to Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Doctors too.

I don't know if I would encourage anyone to become a doctor in this present time. We have no idea what the new Health care reform will do to the reimbursement for Health Care workers.

I don't think that many people become physicians for the money.

 

[imabrat]

Okay, OP here, with some insight into the situation.

I spent a year in a hospital for treatment of my cancer, and still visit the hospital frequently. I've built a social life with the doctors and nurses, they are like my second family. I am absolutely 100% sure that I will go into the medical field being either a nurse or a doctor. I feel like I'm meant to go into the medical field now; I have all this knowledge so why not use it?

The PA or NP field does not attract to me simply because when I have an issue and need to be seen by a professional, 9 times out of 10 I would rather be seen by a doctor rather than an NP. The PA thing, while I had an AMAZING! PA while I was in treatment, it does not attract to me either. She told me about her job when I was first diagnosed and it just doesn't seem like something I could see myself in.

Nursing or being a doctor is by no means my last resort. I have narrowed it down to these two occupations, and I am honestly at a fork in the road. There's a 50/50 chance. The fields I'm thinking of going into are Oncology, Orthopedics, or Anesthesiology. I had lots of experience in Oncology and Orthopedics due to my type of cancer, but when I visit for check-ups next month I will definitely be asking to shadow! My doctors are great and treat me like one of their own, which is partially why I am so drawn to be a doctor.

And for what it's worth, I am NOT going into either field for the money. I would still go into either field even if it meant I got paid didley squat.

Thank you for your advice everyone!

 

[npmommie]

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am licensed to diagnose, treat, write prescriptions ( including narcotics), suture, etc. I work in a practice where there are also 2 Physicians Assistants. We have 1 doctor who works half days. We are pretty much independant. We can ask his advice if we need it, but we make our own decisions. Being a mid-level provider is great. We bascially can do what the doctors do. The money is good & we don't have to deal with some of the things that the doctors do. With a lot of the changes in health care, mid-levels are becoming more sought after. Insurance companies realize that we can do the same things for a better price which drives our salaries up.

yes this, I am also an NP, so I second this

I'm a nurse and all of the doctors I work with are at this time telling all interested college students to major in something else besides premed. Medicine is not what it used to be, and the insurance companies are overly involved in how patient care is provided. They are frustrated and work very hard for really not that much money. I would think about getting a PhD in a science instead of all of your above options.

I would not go the PA route, I might consider getting my RN and then going on to the nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program within a year or two.

why not?

I am also curious as to why the PA route is not a good one? That's my backup plan in case I don't get into med school. Nursing is last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last resort. I want to be an endocrinologist because the ones that are currently in practice are stupid idiots who know nothing about my disease. PA really is my only other option because a nurse just can't do what an endo can do in terms of the diagnosing/treating.

please don't ever go into nursing!!
no a Nurse doesn't diagnose and treat but a NURSE PRACTITIONER does. I am an NP who worked for years in an Endo practice. I did everything the MD did in that practice.
I am fortunate to be in a state where I have full prescriptive authority.
NP's can even open their own practice if they so choose.

Another benefit to becoming a PA is that if you are interested in working in a more rural setting often they have loan forgiveness programs available.

true also for Np's and MD's

Okay, OP here, with some insight into the situation.

I spent a year in a hospital for treatment of my cancer, and still visit the hospital frequently. I've built a social life with the doctors and nurses, they are like my second family. I am absolutely 100% sure that I will go into the medical field being either a nurse or a doctor. I feel like I'm meant to go into the medical field now; I have all this knowledge so why not use it?

The PA or NP field does not attract to me simply because when I have an issue and need to be seen by a professional, 9 times out of 10 I would rather be seen by a doctor rather than an NP. The PA thing, while I had an AMAZING! PA while I was in treatment, it does not attract to me either. She told me about her job when I was first diagnosed and it just doesn't seem like something I could see myself in.

Nursing or being a doctor is by no means my last resort. I have narrowed it down to these two occupations, and I am honestly at a fork in the road. There's a 50/50 chance. The fields I'm thinking of going into are Oncology, Orthopedics, or Anesthesiology. I had lots of experience in Oncology and Orthopedics due to my type of cancer, but when I visit for check-ups next month I will definitely be asking to shadow! My doctors are great and treat me like one of their own, which is partially why I am so drawn to be a doctor.

And for what it's worth, I am NOT going into either field for the money. I would still go into either field even if it meant I got paid didley squat.

Thank you for your advice everyone!

NP's and PA's are professionals

in my whole career I have only encountered one or two patients who preferred to see the MD instead of an NP.
Most people love NP's and PA's.
I think you should shadow those in the professions you are interested in and see what you think.
get a real feel for what their day is like
for instance an RN's day is nothing like an NP's or PA"s
good luck with your decision.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

As an incoming college Freshman take whatever classes are interesting to you regardless of their potential to further a career. From my experience, of those who go into college with a particular major or career in mind, about 25% end up with that same major at the end. Freshman year is for figuring out what you actually like doing, what you're actually good at, and where your life is really going. Don't fuss, don't worry, and don't pick a major until your Junior year.

However, if you really think you want to go into a medical science, though, make sure you take at least 1 math, 1 bio and 1 chem course your first year. This way, you'll be safe if you want to continue in that route. Alternatively, it'll give you a taste of how your classes are going to go for the next 3 years if you do choose to go to med school. My DH was pre-med....until he took organic chem his first semester. That ended it for him right there.

 

[honugirl]

There are no PA's in practice at the endocrinology practice I go to. They are all MD's. If that is your end goal I would focus on getting into medical school.

I'm going to try to get to Med School, but I have a lot of factors against me. I have seen PA's at some endo practices.

Please don't become a nurse. We don't need anyone in the profession for whom it is a last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last last resort. Patients are too important to have someone who does not love the profession care for them.

please don't ever go into nursing!!
no a Nurse doesn't diagnose and treat but a NURSE PRACTITIONER does. I am an NP who worked for years in an Endo practice. I did everything the MD did in that practice.
I am fortunate to be in a state where I have full prescriptive authority.
NP's can even open their own practice if they so choose.


true also for Np's and MD's

Believe it or not, I actually would do a very good job of caring for my patients in an endocrinology office. I honestly have no desire to work anywhere else. This is based on the fact that I have dealt with Cushing's Syndrome and Addison's Disease on a first hand basis. I've seen how hard it is to get diagnosed and treated properly. I've also seen how little the medical community understands us. I was just in the ER last night the doctor did not understand how my new body (without adrenals) functions and why I would be there for what one would typically consider a minor issue. I can't even get endocrinologists (the people who should be EXPERTS in my disease) to try and understand it. Hopefully none of you ever have to live with a disease that could kill you and you have to treat on your own because you've learned to have so little faith in the medical community. This is why I consider nursing to be a career of last resort for me, I do not believe I can change attitudes, beliefs or practices from there. I may be able to get people to change if I am an MD. I have to do this for the good of my people because many are not strong enough to do it themselves. People die from undiagnosed adrenal disease and no one cares.

 

[pigletgirl]

You will definitely need to take 1 chemistry (one being organic most def) a math class (i took vector calc my freshman year) and a biology (i did the regular bio with the lab class and then the next year took micro.)
fwiw...
you can be a either a biology OR a chemistry major and still have the req's for med school.
honestly though you really won't know if you actually like it until you start school! i definitely had some second thoughts as i've gone through these few years of school. it's very time consuming and alot of work. but with determination and support for family and friends you can do it!
I will be finishing my undergrad in december...EEEK!

also, I wanted to add that alot of nurses that I've come across over the years are INCREDIBLY bright and do excellent patient care. i've also heard they are pushing a doctorate of nursing too! being a nurse is a very honorable career.

 

[xCourxCorex]

Pre-Med generally isn't a "major" at most schools rather a course path. Typically you see people going into medical school getting a major in biology, chemistry, etc. I have a couple friends that are doctors that have English degrees for their undergrad even .

There is nothing that says you have to declare a major when you apply to colleges and most colleges don't make you declare until end of sophomore year or into your junior year even.

Your general course work for nursing and a pre-med track will be pretty much the same to start so you will have time to decide.

Most hospitals have volunteer programs. I would suggest you spend the year volunteering at a hospital to get a first hand look at what dr's and nurses do and see if that helps you in your decision. The Boy Scouts have an Explorer's program that is open to boys and girls. Check to see if they have one in your area because often they have one for the medical field. You will have some access to things at the hospital that you might not otherwise.

Hey Sonya
Along the lines of declaring majors, as golfgal mentions.. if it comes down to applying and you're still unsure, I think it may be a good choice to apply as Nursing - that way if you later change your mind to do bio/pre-med, you can easily switch out. All of the nursing programs in my area (and my school) are VERY difficult to get into once you have matriculated at the college. Switching out, into Bio, or declaring Pre-Med track is usually much easier than deciding one or two years in that you'd like to be a Nursing major.

And I think you know my answer.. come to nursing school .. it's crazy but lots of fun and I love it!

 

[MrsPete]

Or anyone for that matter.

I am a HS senior, and am beginning to look at colleges. Problem is, I don't know if I want to be a doctor or a nurse. I honestly do not have any idea; right now it's about a 50/50 chance of going into either field. I have three options:

A) Study Pre-med and then continue on to a medical school.
B) Study Biology with a pre-med focus and then continue on to a medical school.
C) Study Nursing and try to get classes with a pre-med focus, and continue on to a medical school.

I honestly don't know what to do, and while I don't have to decide right now, I'm just wondering if there's anything I may have overlooked. So, what would you recommend to your child/friend/anyone?

I'd recommend that you start volunteering at the hospital so you can get a more concrete idea of what's involved in each job. Also, keep in mind that the medical field isn't limited to just doctors and nurses. Consider physical therapy, radiology, surgery . . . the list could go on.

The reality is that you have way more than three options.

You also need to find out what's offered at the colleges you're considering.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I'm not sure how it is for whatever schools you are looking at, but at mine you can't even apply to nursing school before you take one or two years of prerequisites. I'd take those classes and start to volunteer at a hospital or shadow a doctor or nurse to see what you like best.

That being said, I thought I was going to go to med school but after a lot of thought I've decided to go nursing instead. I never EVER imagined myself a nurse but the reality is you can start working so much quicker. You also won't have loads of student loans to pay back. Personally, I plan on doing a CRNA program, which gives much more of a "doctor" feeling in the job than other nursing specialties.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm not sure how it is for whatever schools you are looking at, but at mine you can't even apply to nursing school before you take one or two years of prerequisites. I'd take those classes and start to volunteer at a hospital or shadow a doctor or nurse to see what you like best.

That being said, I thought I was going to go to med school but after a lot of thought I've decided to go nursing instead. I never EVER imagined myself a nurse but the reality is you can start working so much quicker. You also won't have loads of student loans to pay back. Personally, I plan on doing a CRNA program, which gives much more of a "doctor" feeling in the job than other nursing specialties.

My daughter is also planning to go the RN route. She plans to work a couple years, then go on to earn a masters in something specific. This can be very lucrative -- without the long residency, the going into debt for the education, the malpractice insurance that're all required of a doctor.

We have a friend who's a masters-degree nurse who works with heart angioplasty (spelling?). She is very talented, very specialized, and I know for a fact she earns more than my husband and I do together.

 

[Kimberly]

Could go the internist route, being a family practicioner, you could focus on just that.

 

[heatherwillmom]

My boyfriend has been told by several doctors that he should become a PA rather than go to med school. Primarily because it's cheaper and faster, and you don't have to deal with the insurance issues. Of course, we won't know what was the "right" decision for many years, but right now we've heard many positive things about PA.
He'd probably make more money as a nurse practioner, but he thinks he'd enjoy PA more.

It depends on the practice that you work in, but where I am now & the practice that I was at before uses a lot of both NP's & Pa's & we make about the same amount of money. There are a few things that a NP can do in our state that a PA can't. A Np can open an independant practice & can work in a urgent care clinic like the type they have in Walgreens & CVS but a PA can't. I don't know why but a PA friend of mine told me about it.

 

[dejr_8]

Or anyone for that matter.

I am a HS senior, and am beginning to look at colleges. Problem is, I don't know if I want to be a doctor or a nurse. I honestly do not have any idea; right now it's about a 50/50 chance of going into either field. I have three options:

A) Study Pre-med and then continue on to a medical school.
B) Study Biology with a pre-med focus and then continue on to a medical school.
C) Study Nursing and try to get classes with a pre-med focus, and continue on to a medical school.

I honestly don't know what to do, and while I don't have to decide right now, I'm just wondering if there's anything I may have overlooked. So, what would you recommend to your child/friend/anyone?

Do not do pre-med.