To be honest with you, I'm only keeping it to myself at the moment because I have a fear of it sounding ridiculous. There are many people in the Science field who end up wanting to be doctors, and it makes sense. But just like the comment made by TriagePreMed - let's not kid ourselves; that's exactly what many people's reactions will be.
While non-trads inspire many out there who wish they had the courage to go after their dreams, others will look at us and see a bunch of confused people who think that 1 person is enough to change the world. In a heartbeat, I believe that it indeed takes only 1 person to change the world. I'm going to be a little bit soppy right now and tell you that I even believe a smile makes that much of a difference. But that's because I'm not a bitter person and I believe we all have our own paths.
We're all taught to go to school, pick a career path, get a degree or two, start a family, and retire. If some of us stray away from that close-minded, "pre-installed" pathway all of a sudden we're weirdos.
You know, only you know your own situation. So you know what is best. I forgot how old you said you were. I say this b/c as you get a little older, and you have been through fire storms and wars of your own, you just don't let OP's opinions carry so much weight. I mean sage advice and perspectives add up to one thing, and such may well be worth considering. But in general, people will put downer-spins on things--as if you were too daft to have already given their litany of negativities and obstacles serious consideration.
I had some casual friends basically tell me to just get the masters or doctoral in ed and chill, that way we can go on more traveling vacations together. I smiled internally, but they were dead serious. Don't get me wrong. I love traveling. But I don't see that as my purpose for the rest of my life. I mean vacations are nice, but they aren't like mission trips. I have done mission trips. Its a whole other animal. I mean they aren't generally as pleasant, but you feel like you actually accomplished something worthwhile--you actually worked to make some people's lives a little better. Going on them doesn't make you a great person. Also, I say doing them for the high of feeling good about yourself doesn't cut it either. It's just the simple act of giving--paying it forward--doing unto others--whatever you want to call it.
People debate about nursing or medicine being a calling. I am not sure if you can go too far in either direction on it being a calling or not. IDK. Maybe it is so for some, and not so much for others; but those others are still providing a service to people that need it, so it's OK. Like I said. IDK. But I do know that I don't want to be hitting a golf ball around a golf course or running from vaca to vaca for the rest of my life. Also, while I know that I really love teaching, I truly don't feel overwhelmingly compelled to teach nursing full time until retirement. Nothing wrong with doing that. It's just that the idea doesn't speak to me like medicine does.
Over the years I have had to face a hard reality, and believe me, I fought it many times--that is, my purpose of function has leaned more toward being a physician than a nurse. And nursing is great in many ways--at least it can be. And it isn't such a killer as medicine in terms of prepping to get to the point of functioning in the role--although some scenarios are exhausting--beyond draining; but that's something that I think is fairly prevalent in all of healthcare--especially in certain areas.
Good luck to you. You have to do and say what you think is best.
As for me, I don't care what anyone thinks or think they think in the general scheme of things. Am I worthy of a medical school slot? Only time will tell. I will killl myself to get all my ducks in a row--and go from there. If it doesn't happen, like an idiot I will do my best to improve anything that may be needed and apply again, go off shore, whatever. It's only when the energy input outweighs the opportunities that accompany the risks and glaring realities (for example, say w/ serious physical health or something of that nature), that I will scrap it. I say this not because I don't think I can make a great application; but b/c the statistics are what they are, and they are harsh. Budgets and spaces are tight. I have no illusions about that.
So you see, I think this path is so worthwhile and so incredibly demanding--perhaps moreso for some than others--IDK--that I can't waste my time and energy on worrying what other people may think. I think some people don't declare their intensions about medical school b/c of fear of not getting accepted. I means it's definitely a strong possibility. But even with such a situation, I still don't care about what others may say. I don't care about losing face with them. I mean I don't go on bragging about it and then forsake the steps required to get there. My only delays, once convinced of this path, have had to do with critically and terminally ill loved ones and serious family needs. But as I said, I don't go on about it or brag to others about it. They ask me, and I tell them the truth, period. And if something goes wrong, or if somehow I err or am wrong, and persistently so, so what? What is it to them? I should worry what they say with friends in front of the TV or fireplace on a cold winter's night? I don't think so.
Kathryn Schulz, in her book, Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error talks about our extreme negativity on "wrongness." She mentions Don Quixote. An honorable wackadoodle of sorts, whom I have always found intriguing. She writes:
[Don Quixote, who, as both knight errant and utter lunatic, deserves his own special place in the pantheon of wrongology. Although far from home, the knight is hardly in exile, and still less in disgrace. Unlike the juif errant, who is commanded to wander and does so aimlessly and in misery, the knight errant is on a quest: he wanders on purpose and with purpose, as well as with pleasure. He is driven, like all travelers, by curiosity, by the desire to experience something more of the world.]
Schulz, Kathryn (2010-05-25). Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error (pp. 41-42). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
So, I figure, at the least let others see me as a lunatic; b/c I feel like Don Quixote. I am "wandering?" down this path with purpose and pleasure. I am driven by both a sense of 'purpose and curiosity'. . . and by 'the desire to experience something more of the world." Also, in this curiosity and quest for experience, I have been privleged to watch other residents and attendings--many--go before me. Thus I perhaps do not have as many unrealistic delusion about the process or what it means to be a physician. I can never say that what I have witnessed over the years is anything close to some rosy path or glory road. I am in their debt for opening up their world to me and showing me many of the harsh realities, and yet, most have still encouraged me to pursue the path.
Whatever the outcome, it is my quest. My very own. And I will not let others destory my aspirations, nor the work invested in them, simply b/c they do not understand it, or b/c it is not their own. Like DQ, I don't care if I sound ridiculous. It's a journey through life that I must pursue my own way to the best of my ability. If for some extraordinary reason it turns out to be a windmill, I am still glad I tilt at it.
Just a view . . .
