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- Nov 24, 2011
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I'm currently 28y.o and I'm having a difficult time with what I feel is a huge life decision. With the current political climate, I'm not sure which route to go.
I currently have my Bachelors in Nursing and have been working in an ICU for about 4 years. During my time as a nurse, I got this hair-brain idea that I should go to med school. So, this past spring, I started working on the basic BCPM pre-reqs. I'm in the middle of Chem 2/Physics 2, with Orgo 1/2 and Bio 1/2 left to finish next year, as well as the MCAT. I feel I would have a decent chance at getting into med school if I put forth the effort needed. My dilema, is, should I? As you know, it's a lot of work. So is the payoff worth the effort anymore?
I would basically be starting school all over again, because it's still going to take me 2+ years to finish the BCPM stuff, then take another year for the MCAT + application cycle. And that's just getting into school. Factor in MS 1-4, plus residency, and I'll be ~40 when I finish. I'm worried about where physicians will stand when that time comes.
Now, should I ever get into med school/residency, I feel I would go in with an open mind about what specialty I would choose, however, I really feel like I would enjoy anesthesia. So that leads to an obvious question; should I just persue the CRNA route and be done with school, making a good living, within ~4yr?
How's the outlook for CRNAs vs. anesthesiologists? I read a lot of doom and gloom on this particular forum regarding anesthesiologists, and that worries me a bit. Are CRNAs going to take as much of a hit as the MDs? More? Less? Will the extra need for mid-levels lead to over saturation and thus, lower pay?
What would the educated folks of this forum do if they had to do it all over again, starting now, especially given the policical climate and pending doom (healthcare reform)?
Pros and cons?
I currently have my Bachelors in Nursing and have been working in an ICU for about 4 years. During my time as a nurse, I got this hair-brain idea that I should go to med school. So, this past spring, I started working on the basic BCPM pre-reqs. I'm in the middle of Chem 2/Physics 2, with Orgo 1/2 and Bio 1/2 left to finish next year, as well as the MCAT. I feel I would have a decent chance at getting into med school if I put forth the effort needed. My dilema, is, should I? As you know, it's a lot of work. So is the payoff worth the effort anymore?
I would basically be starting school all over again, because it's still going to take me 2+ years to finish the BCPM stuff, then take another year for the MCAT + application cycle. And that's just getting into school. Factor in MS 1-4, plus residency, and I'll be ~40 when I finish. I'm worried about where physicians will stand when that time comes.
Now, should I ever get into med school/residency, I feel I would go in with an open mind about what specialty I would choose, however, I really feel like I would enjoy anesthesia. So that leads to an obvious question; should I just persue the CRNA route and be done with school, making a good living, within ~4yr?
How's the outlook for CRNAs vs. anesthesiologists? I read a lot of doom and gloom on this particular forum regarding anesthesiologists, and that worries me a bit. Are CRNAs going to take as much of a hit as the MDs? More? Less? Will the extra need for mid-levels lead to over saturation and thus, lower pay?
What would the educated folks of this forum do if they had to do it all over again, starting now, especially given the policical climate and pending doom (healthcare reform)?
Pros and cons?
