Back problems and medical school. Should I go RN/CRNA/NP/PA instead?

[Steve3824]

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I am a 28 y/o male with a Bachelor of Science in physiology (3.8+GPA from top school in US). I had a back injury and have disc problems in my back that I am not sure about the prognosis of. They said it was a symptomatic L5-S1 disc buldge/herniation/Degenerative disc. I think I would just have to deal with the pain and symptoms (some numbness down my legs) and rely on pain meds if necessary for pain. Most of the time it is fine but sometimes I get flare ups for several days to a week or more. Not sure if I may require any surgery in the future or how many pain meds I may have to take to concentrate when studying.

I want to become a doctor, but have not taken the MCAT yet and am uncertain if I should put myself through the rigorous training of med school with my back and all of the exams. I am thinking about just becoming a RN/CRNA/NP/PA instead. Do you guys think this would be a better path for me with my age and back?

I was going to go into PM&R and pain management (then not only can I help other people manage their pain but also my own, esp. if it gets worse) but not sure if this would help me due to the long and rigorous path.

 

[Robin-jay]

Are you asking which is least labor intensive? Because that would probably be the physician.

All health careers have exams, so your back issues would have to cope with all situations anyway.

Like, I don't know why being a PA would be easier on your back than becoming a physician.

 

[Synchronous]

As Robin-jay said all fields are going to require a sit down computer test, so you’re going to have to evaluate for yourself if you are able to tolerate situations where you sit for long periods of time hunched over a computer screen. The other thing to keep in mind is moving and positioning patients can be hard on the back. Only you know how functional you are when you get those flares, and what tasks you are capable of when you do get a flare. Your current age isn’t an issue, you have plenty of time to pursue PA/NP/MD/DO school if you wish. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[RangerBob]

RN is definitely the wrong way to go if you want to minimize stress on your back-nurses have to move obese patients all the time. They end up with lots of back/MSK problems.

 

[sunshine859]

If you have a note from your doctor, your school's disability office can accommodate you. Some people use school-issued standing desks during lectures/exams due to MSK issues. I was even allowed to take break to walk around during school (non-NBME) tests after I had surgery. Agree with posters above that MD/DO is probably the best way to avoid having to lift patients.

 

[Going Incognito]

For a back problem, becoming an RN floor nurse would be one of the worst things that you could do to your back. They do a lot of transferring patients, lifting, reaching, etc.

 

[Stagg737]

If you want to be a physician, then go for med school. Period.

None of the other options are going to be much easier long-term and you'll have a lot more options through med school (clinical, academic, research, administrative, etc). I'm sure you'd be accommodated most of the way as well, and if absolutely needed could take an LOA for surgery (would be completely justified). The only times I think it could be problematic would be on a surgery rotation if you're scrubbing in. Even when you're not scrubbed in most ORs have a stool somewhere that you can sit for a while. Med school can be rough, but it's still very doable and one of my classmates had a similar situation and did just fine.

 

[RNthenDoc]

Nurses have higher incidence of back injury than do UPS drivers.

(For a multiple reasons, but that in itself should answer the topic title question)

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

then not only can I help other people manage their pain but also my own, esp. if it gets worse

Just be careful when you say this, because it sounds like you’re going to be self-medicating with opiates a la Dr House.

Otherwise, don’t do nursing, it involves lifting people.

 

[Steve3824]

Just be careful when you say this, because it sounds like you’re going to be self-medicating with opiates a la Dr House.

Otherwise, don’t do nursing, it involves lifting people.

Can you actually treat yourself for pain if you become a pain management specialist since you know how to treat all types of pain (including back pain)? Can you prescribe yourself opioids or pain opioid patches if medically necessary?

How does pain management work if you are a pain management specialist and have chronic pain problems yourself? lol

 

[ciestar]

Can you actually treat yourself for pain if you become a pain management specialist since you know how to treat all types of pain (including back pain)? Can you prescribe yourself opioids or pain opioid patches if medically necessary?

How does pain management work if you are a pain management specialist and have chronic pain problems yourself? lol

To my knowledge, there are no laws that prohibit self prescribing opiates or controlls. However, it IS considered an ethical problem. You’ll also be hard pressed to find any pharmacy that will fill a narcotic for someone who wrote the rx for themself.

To answer second question, you see a pain management doctor. You dont treat yourself.

 

[Select All That Apply]

What.