cost of MD too HIGH?

[RN-to-MD]

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OK, I hope I'm in the right area, I wanted to post this to residents and attendings b/c I wanted to get a perspective from those who've been out of school a while............ I'm really, really and struggling w/whether or not med school is worth it, by worth it I mean in every way: the financial cost, the rigors of the education process, MOST importantly the extreme tolls residency can take, and, when all is said and done and one's out there making MD $$, the debt and time needed to pay that back.

I'll start out bluntly by saying medicine is not "my dream" or, for me, a "calling". And, frankly when you talk to many docs out there who've been working and are a good 10 or more yrs post res, they will tell you that at the end of they day, medicine is a job. Yes, no arguments from me that it can be a great, rewarding, personally fulfilling job, but when all that new car smell is gone, it's a job. Let me also state that, I was never interested in medicine for money, yes, like everyone I'd like to be paid well, but I originally became interested in med b/c I wanted to work in a capacity that would really stretch every fiber of my being, my intellect, my sense of what it is to be human, sense of community, while also enabling me to do something that, hopefully, resulted in benefit to others. Hey, I liked science and believe in the value of service, so medicine seemed like a great fit.

And now, after all that hard work, I'm admitted to an MD program and I'm looking at a MINIMUM of $300k of debt (at 7.8%--going rate now) when I grad in 4 yrs. Of course, that doesn't include my $65k at 5% I already have. Now, I've used the loan calculator and I"ve crunched some numbers, after a 3 yr residency, that $360K will easily go over $400k from interest alone. Btw, I'm no spring chicken, so I'll be done w/resid at 47yrs, now, realistically, can someone at age 47 pay off a >$400k student loan debt, buy a home, work reasonable hours (say 40-50/wk), and expect to retire before they actually drop dead? I mean, yeah, staying active and working into your golden years is great, but over the age of 65 it's really not going to be feasible to put in 50 hr weeks, not to mention that whole body deterioration thing.

So, I'm asking myself and I guess SDNers out there, is med skool worth it for me? As my user name suggests I'm already an RN, I could become a NP in 2yrs of, IMO really easy classes, and then I could be in a job which would have reasonable hours (40/wk), no debt--as it's easy to work per diem as an RN and go FT to school, and, when done, easily make around $100k. Of course, the thing about me is I LOATHE nursing school and nursing theory is like a hideous joke, it's really the last thing I'd rather study, but then again who wants $400k of debt dancing over their head....

And for those who will tell me about PSLF, IBR, HRSA, and the military, let me just say this, PSLF I'd do in a snap, heck I want to work in community/public health, but I REALLY WORRY about how long the feds will keep the PSLF program afloat when our economy keeps sinking like a stone. They're already chipping away an subsidzd loans, who's to say that shortly after 2017 (the first year people can start cashing in on that loan discharge) the feds wont decide, "oh ****, we really actually do need those indentured servants--I mean student borrowers--to keep paying us back" This student loan debt bubble is going to burst long before I get to the point of being able to even ask for loan discharge.

So, there you have it, I do want to be a doc I'm not a starry eyed pre med, I just want a fulfilling, challenging job, but I also want a life, I want to be able to spend time w/family and friends, to not work insane 50, 60 or 70 hr weeks, I'd like to buy a house and I dont want to have to work myself into a grave. But, knowing what I do, and I think I'm fairly well educated about what the whole process entails, I'm just not sure if the whole darn thing is worth it.....🙁

 

[bucks2010]

And now, after all that hard work, I'm admitted to an MD program and I'm looking at a MINIMUM of $300k of debt (at 7.8%--going rate now) when I grad in 4 yrs. Of course, that doesn't include my $65k at 5% I already have. Now, I've used the loan calculator and I"ve crunched some numbers, after a 3 yr residency, that $360K will easily go over $400k from interest alone. Btw, I'm no spring chicken, so I'll be done w/resid at 47yrs, now, realistically, can someone at age 47 pay off a >$400k student loan debt, buy a home, work reasonable hours (say 40-50/wk), and expect to retire before they actually drop dead? I mean, yeah, staying active and working into your golden years is great, but over the age of 65 it's really not going to be feasible to put in 50 hr weeks, not to mention that whole body deterioration thing.

This sounds like something only you can decide. I think you should look at your estimated debt burden after residency, plug in some avg salaries for some of the specialties you may be interested in (primary care fields average ~$200k/yr)* and play with the numbers to see if you will be able to pay off the loans in time to retire when you want while having the standard of living you desire. It is of course a very personal decision.

I think for someone in your situations PSLF would be a good option, as you mentioned. I would make sure you are comfortable paying off the loans on your own before proceeding through medical school, and then taking advantage of repayment programs like PSLF if they are active when you are eligible to participate in them.

*src: http://blog.mgma.com/blog/bid/67161/Highlights-of-MGMA-s-2011-Physician-Compensation-survey

 

[Arcan57]

And now, after all that hard work, I'm admitted to an MD program and I'm looking at a MINIMUM of $300k of debt (at 7.8%--going rate now) when I grad in 4 yrs. Of course, that doesn't include my $65k at 5% I already have. Now, I've used the loan calculator and I"ve crunched some numbers, after a 3 yr residency, that $360K will easily go over $400k from interest alone. Btw, I'm no spring chicken, so I'll be done w/resid at 47yrs, now, realistically, can someone at age 47 pay off a >$400k student loan debt, buy a home, work reasonable hours (say 40-50/wk), and expect to retire before they actually drop dead?

No.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I believe that the rigors of medicine are not worth it unless it is your calling. There is too much work and too much debt. At your age, do you want to go through something that could make you miserable for years?

I personally love medicine, but I believe that it is my calling. I don't want to do anything else full-time. Treating patients is my life and I love it. If I were looking for "a job" that pays well and provides intellectual stimulation, I would not choose medicine. It consumes your life throughout training.

400k in debt and 40 something years old just for "a job" that is stimulating - I'd run from that. Find out what you love and go for it. You are still young.

 

[danzman]

Couple of things...
There are three people in my class in their late 30s and one in his late 50s. All had good gigs before medicine but decided to make the change. All have done just fine and will be great docs. So it most certainly can be done. The catch to all of this is that even in your 20s it is almost too expensive to go to medical school anymore. The process is long and painful for a variety of reasons that can be easily found on SDN, and being an attending aint sunshine and rose petals either. Maybe 1 in 10 physicians I talk to would encourage a premed to go to medical school. There are really only a few reasons people become doctors anymore, and most of them are probably the wrong ones. Most people seem to start medical school wanting to be dermatologists or pediatric heart surgeons, most will do internal medicine, family, or peds. Still, I know of no other career that offers more stability, income, and prestige.

As with all of these kinds of questions, I would encourage you to figure out what you want to do for the next 30ys and not what you want to be. Money and lifestyle are important and should play a huge role in your decision. Loan repayment opportunities will come and go and will almost always cost more than they are worth. Salaries will probably continue to stay flat, and there are more options out there now for more manageable workloads. Figure out how you want to live for the next few decades.

And as for the "I hate nursing theory" stuff, medicine has just as much nonsense.

 

[Rendar5]

Couple of things...
There are three people in my class in their late 30s and one in his late 50s. All had good gigs before medicine but decided to make the change. All have done just fine and will be great docs. So it most certainly can be done. The catch to all of this is that even in your 20s it is almost too expensive to go to medical school anymore. The process is long and painful for a variety of reasons that can be easily found on SDN, and being an attending aint sunshine and rose petals either. Maybe 1 in 10 physicians I talk to would encourage a premed to go to medical school. There are really only a few reasons people become doctors anymore, and most of them are probably the wrong ones. Most people seem to start medical school wanting to be dermatologists or pediatric heart surgeons, most will do internal medicine, family, or peds. Still, I know of no other career that offers more stability, income, and prestige.

As with all of these kinds of questions, I would encourage you to figure out what you want to do for the next 30ys and not what you want to be. Money and lifestyle are important and should play a huge role in your decision. Loan repayment opportunities will come and go and will almost always cost more than they are worth. Salaries will probably continue to stay flat, and there are more options out there now for more manageable workloads. Figure out how you want to live for the next few decades.

And as for the "I hate nursing theory" stuff, medicine has just as much nonsense.

eh, being married to a nurse, I would say that my job is easier than hers in many ways. that said, I agree with pretty mcuh everything you said.

 

[ComfortableWolf]

OK, I hope I'm in the right area, I wanted to post this to residents and attendings b/c I wanted to get a perspective from those who've been out of school a while............ I'm really, really and struggling w/whether or not med school is worth it, by worth it I mean in every way: the financial cost, the rigors of the education process, MOST importantly the extreme tolls residency can take, and, when all is said and done and one's out there making MD $$, the debt and time needed to pay that back.

I'll start out bluntly by saying medicine is not "my dream" or, for me, a "calling". And, frankly when you talk to many docs out there who've been working and are a good 10 or more yrs post res, they will tell you that at the end of they day, medicine is a job. Yes, no arguments from me that it can be a great, rewarding, personally fulfilling job, but when all that new car smell is gone, it's a job. Let me also state that, I was never interested in medicine for money, yes, like everyone I'd like to be paid well, but I originally became interested in med b/c I wanted to work in a capacity that would really stretch every fiber of my being, my intellect, my sense of what it is to be human, sense of community, while also enabling me to do something that, hopefully, resulted in benefit to others. Hey, I liked science and believe in the value of service, so medicine seemed like a great fit.

And now, after all that hard work, I'm admitted to an MD program and I'm looking at a MINIMUM of $300k of debt (at 7.8%--going rate now) when I grad in 4 yrs. Of course, that doesn't include my $65k at 5% I already have. Now, I've used the loan calculator and I"ve crunched some numbers, after a 3 yr residency, that $360K will easily go over $400k from interest alone. Btw, I'm no spring chicken, so I'll be done w/resid at 47yrs, now, realistically, can someone at age 47 pay off a >$400k student loan debt, buy a home, work reasonable hours (say 40-50/wk), and expect to retire before they actually drop dead? I mean, yeah, staying active and working into your golden years is great, but over the age of 65 it's really not going to be feasible to put in 50 hr weeks, not to mention that whole body deterioration thing.

So, I'm asking myself and I guess SDNers out there, is med skool worth it for me? As my user name suggests I'm already an RN, I could become a NP in 2yrs of, IMO really easy classes, and then I could be in a job which would have reasonable hours (40/wk), no debt--as it's easy to work per diem as an RN and go FT to school, and, when done, easily make around $100k. Of course, the thing about me is I LOATHE nursing school and nursing theory is like a hideous joke, it's really the last thing I'd rather study, but then again who wants $400k of debt dancing over their head....

And for those who will tell me about PSLF, IBR, HRSA, and the military, let me just say this, PSLF I'd do in a snap, heck I want to work in community/public health, but I REALLY WORRY about how long the feds will keep the PSLF program afloat when our economy keeps sinking like a stone. They're already chipping away an subsidzd loans, who's to say that shortly after 2017 (the first year people can start cashing in on that loan discharge) the feds wont decide, "oh ****, we really actually do need those indentured servants--I mean student borrowers--to keep paying us back" This student loan debt bubble is going to burst long before I get to the point of being able to even ask for loan discharge.

So, there you have it, I do want to be a doc I'm not a starry eyed pre med, I just want a fulfilling, challenging job, but I also want a life, I want to be able to spend time w/family and friends, to not work insane 50, 60 or 70 hr weeks, I'd like to buy a house and I dont want to have to work myself into a grave. But, knowing what I do, and I think I'm fairly well educated about what the whole process entails, I'm just not sure if the whole darn thing is worth it.....🙁

As stated by others there are few jobs that offer the combination of prestige/stability/financial success that medicine does- that being said and going based on the info in your post I would advice against medical school for you unless it is the only thing you can see yourself doing with your life ( you state that it is not) .

I think it would be wiser to put your RN degree to work and become an advance practice nurse- (NP-primary care or ICU, CRNA, etc.) - from what I have seen as a resident these practitioners can do a lot clinically and have both job stability and great hours (compared to MDs)- You may never be the "top dog" but who cares if you can avoid the debt, lawsuits and enjoy your family/life outside the hospital.

A good question to ask yourself is what medical specialty would you pursue after med school and is there a similar analogous career in nursing?...

For IM/FP/OBGYN/Anesthesia/ICU there is an analogous root in nursing. If you need to operate or do interventional card/rads etc only an MD will do but for everything else, in your position, the RN options seem to win out in terms of time/debt/lifestyle/professional satisfaction- my humble opinion

To a some degree medicine is one huge Ponzi Scheme and it takes a while to get to the top and enjoy the payback.

 

[smq123]

Moved to allo.

 

[md2bknox]

Why not Physician Assistant..it offers everything you want🙂

 

[Crow King]

In medicine you won't be wealthy until you are an old fart.

You won't be making an MD salary until 32 if you entered at 24, and by then like you said you'll owe >$250,000.

Let's say you make $200k a year (primary care). Nearly a 40% federal income tax, plus state income tax (~10% California, 6% NY?), SS, etc. You'll only see half of that.

So you only really make $100k a year. Say you bought a nice house and now pay $15,000 a year in property taxes. $85,000 left/ year. And you still owe $250,000....

So not worth it.

 

[isoquin]

Honestly, I'd rather see your spot given to someone who really wants it. If you want to save money in the short term, don't go to med school. Long term, there is no instance where being a practicing doctor will prevent you from paying off all loans. Even if you overestimate to a half million dollars in debt, you can easily pay that off. You'll be making $150k+ per year. If you live off $50, which is the average salary for this country, your half million in debt will be paid in 5 years. 6 if you want to get nitpicky about anything else in the picture. Afterwards, you'll get a 200% "raise" in salary.

But let's face it: the reason you're questioning the decision isn't about the money. It's about the time.

 

[HondoCrouch]

Even if you overestimate to a half million dollars in debt, you can easily pay that off. You'll be making $150k+ per year. If you live off $50, which is the average salary for this country, your half million in debt will be paid in 5 years. 6 if you want to get nitpicky about anything else in the picture.

Except for those pesky little things such as TAXES AND COMPOUND INTEREST.

OP you are better off going with an advanced nursing degree.

Frame it this way:

Are you willing to gamble 400K that medicine will pay enough 7-10 years from now to service that debt and provide any increase in your quality of life, all at the ripe old age 47?

 

[bomgd3]

Sorry but it just doesn't make much sense to subject yourself to medical school/internship/residency at your age. You're going to lose a lot of family time in what should be your best and most relaxed years, and then fight to claw your way out of debt before you can't work anymore. If it's money that you want, it would be a lot smarter to get an advanced nursing certification like CRNA where you can make money on par with a primary care doc for significantly less investment.

 

[RN-to-MD]

My cake being medicine, of course.

Thank you for the assorted flavor of replies, esp those who offered thoughtul responses. I originally posted in the resident forum b/c I am really looking at this dilemma in terms of what the ramifications will be post res. A lot of what was discussed was purely financial, and while I did talk a lot about finances, it is certainly not my bottom line. Having worked in crit care and seen many under 40ys die, I def have a renewed appreciation for the delicateness of life and the importance of doing what is most "true" for oneself. Ironically, having made $85k/yr (what I consider to be big bucks) for the very first time in my life when I started nursing, I quickly found out how empty the money thing really is, I had a job I more or less loathed, yet I had fantastic hours (24/wk), plenty of me time, and after buying a few things here and there a great, big empty soul feeling. Not having enough money REALLY stings, but, for me at least, having enuf to meet expenses with maybe 1 or 2,ooo a month left over is all I really need.

So, that brings me to the point someone made about focusing on what I would be DOING, instead of what I would be. An excellent approach, I think in my gut I know I would get bored w/the limited scope of adv pract nursing, and so, I guess, the question becomes will the mental weightiness of such a high debt load prevent me from enjoying myself in the role of doc. I wish I could know that NOW before starting it all, so, it's a gamble.

Now, the outrageous cost of a medical education...................wow, I'm from the generation that graduated debt free, full ride scholarships were the norm in the 90's at Ca pub universities for those w/good grades, and even up til 2001 or so, the UC med schools were only $9K/yr, everyone I know my age who went to med school in their 20 and 30's graduated w/debt way under $100k, it seems to me that we have entered a whole new age, one in which for a great many people the cost of higher education may not be realistically manageable.............but, I guess that's another thread altogether...

No decision made yet, but I gotta work it out soon, I guess if I remember to I'll update w/the result..........ha, maybe I'll just flip a coin😀

 

[SoundofSilver]

The cost of medical education is truly out of control. Cost was the number one deciding factor in where I chose to attend med school.

 

[RN-to-MD]

Long term, there is no instance where being a practicing doctor will prevent you from paying off all loans. Even if you overestimate to a half million dollars in debt, you can easily pay that off. You'll be making $150k+ per year. If you live off $50, which is the average salary for this country, your half million in debt will be paid in 5 years. 6 if you want to get nitpicky about anything else in the picture. Afterwards, you'll get a 200% "raise" in salary.

But let's face it: the reason you're questioning the decision isn't about the money. It's about the time.

You are sadly deluded. My school costs $50/k yr, plus roughly $20-25/yr I'd need for school expenses, rent, food. I got a $10k scholarship, so I'm borrowing $62K first year, now tuition goes up EACH year and first year budget is for 9 mos not 12, so, if you go w/an average amount borrowed of $75/yr after 4yrs thats 300K. This year's interst rate is 7.8%--high, btw. Now, using the loan calc, and seeing how much that grows over three years at 7.8% int and factoring the 65k I already owe, you'll see that the number hovers around 400k

NOw, if you've ever made a large salary you'll see how quickly your take home pay is different that gross, even at 200k, like the other poster said, fed tax bracket is about 40%, not including state tax (CA is about 10%), sdi, ssi, and any 401K you may have, 200k quickly goes to about 100k take home, meanwhile the amout of debt climbs b/c the monthly amount of INTEREST ALONE on a 400k loan at 7.8% is over 1k/month or 17k/yr. $4809/mo is needed to pay off that amount in 10yrs per the same loan calc.

Just sayin

 

[isoquin]

Except for those pesky little things such as TAXES AND COMPOUND INTEREST.

Which is why I rounded up a hundred thousand dollars and put in the extra tag line about nit picky people. Just for you!

You are sadly deluded. My school costs $50/k yr, plus roughly $20-25/yr I'd need for school expenses, rent, food. I got a $10k scholarship, so I'm borrowing $62K first year, now tuition goes up EACH year and first year budget is for 9 mos not 12, so, if you go w/an average amount borrowed of $75/yr after 4yrs thats 300K. This year's interst rate is 7.8%--high, btw. Now, using the loan calc, and seeing how much that grows over three years at 7.8% int and factoring the 65k I already owe, you'll see that the number hovers around 400k

NOw, if you've ever made a large salary you'll see how quickly your take home pay is different that gross, even at 200k, like the other poster said, fed tax bracket is about 40%, not including state tax (CA is about 10%), sdi, ssi, and any 401K you may have, 200k quickly goes to about 100k take home, meanwhile the amout of debt climbs b/c the monthly amount of INTEREST ALONE on a 400k loan at 7.8% is over 1k/month or 17k/yr. $4809/mo is needed to pay off that amount in 10yrs per the same loan calc.

Just sayin

So by your own loan calculator, you will need a little under $60,000 per year, for 10 years. Do you think you can't manage that on a doctor's salary? By your numbers that's about $177k in interest. Pay it off in 7 years: that's $75,000 per year, with $120k interest. Pay it off in 5 years: That's $96k per year, paying back $85k in interest. If you're primary care, you can get loans forgiven. If you do minimum payments for 10 years working in a hospital regardless of specialty you're federal loans are forgiven.

Here's the bottom line: you spend 10 years on about the same salary you're at right now, or 5 years with slightly less. Then you get an instant raise. Do you not plan on working for 10 years? Of all the complaints you've heard in medicine, how many are about doctors not being able to pay back student loans? The idea is silly.

Look, practice medicine because you love it. At this point you just prevented someone else from taking your spot in med school. If you drop out because you can't balance your checkbook as you'd like.... what a waste.

 

[RN-to-MD]

Which is why I rounded up a hundred thousand dollars and put in the extra tag line about nit picky people. Just for you!


So by your own loan calculator, you will need a little under $60,000 per year, for 10 years. Do you think you can't manage that on a doctor's salary? By your numbers that's about $177k in interest. Pay it off in 7 years: that's $75,000 per year, with $120k interest. Pay it off in 5 years: That's $96k per year, paying back $85k in interest. If you're primary care, you can get loans forgiven. If you do minimum payments for 10 years working in a hospital regardless of specialty you're federal loans are forgiven.

Here's the bottom line: you spend 10 years on about the same salary you're at right now, or 5 years with slightly less. Then you get an instant raise. Do you not plan on working for 10 years? Of all the complaints you've heard in medicine, how many are about doctors not being able to pay back student loans? The idea is silly.

Look, practice medicine because you love it. At this point you just prevented someone else from taking your spot in med school. If you drop out because you can't balance your checkbook as you'd like.... what a waste.

Is it possible? Of course, but exactly how do you think it will FEEL to pay >60% of your net salary to a bank and live on 40k/yr for a full 10yrs after going thru all the the demands of school/intern/residency while working an average of 55hrs/week? It's not about the destination, but also the journey.........

 

[Isoprop]

What is it about medicine beyond what a NP can do that attracts you to it? And are you willing to give up the opportunity cost of being a nurse/NP during your training + tuition + go through 7 years of training to reach that goal?

IMO, medicine should be a calling if you're starting at age 40.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

Has there been any stories of any MDs who defaulted on their loans?

 

[Rendar5]

to everyone who thinks it's easy and that money isn't an issue, try calculating retirement savings into this, unless you're planning for the OP to retire around age 85? and that's assuming he doesn't have a family to provide for, college funds to stock up, mortgage to buy a decent house. Honestly, a UPS driver will have a financial edge on the OP and can retire much earlier. Not to mention he's already in significant debt despite working in a field with a solid pay and good benefits.

to just throw in bold statements and calculations that make the OP live like a pauper until age 57 is a bit financially naive.

 

[WellWornLad]

Don't forget the opportunity cost of lost/reduced wages for 7-10 years.

Honestly, I'd look into PA programs. I rotated through a CT surgery program where the PAs did a ton of stuff on the floor and in the OR - PAs were harvesting the veins for bypass all by themselves, from incision to closure. They worked 20-30 hours a week, and the senior ones made 6 figures. No liability, very sporadic call (with overtime pay, of course).

That was one moment in med school where I seriously questioned the med school investment. Granted, those PAs are probably the cream of the cream of PAs, I bet there's some competitiveness involved in getting a gig like that.

 

[WellWornLad]

Has there been any stories of any MDs who defaulted on their loans?

http://www.defaulteddocs.dhhs.gov/DisciplineList.asp?Discipline=Allopathic Medicine&Due=14999365

 

[sean842]

Forgive my ignorance on the whole system, but at the OP's age, why not say f*** the system, make the minimum payments or pay interest only and then just discharge the debt when he/she stoops over dead.

(Obviously I have no idea if the numbers come out ahead on this one.)

 

[Crow King]

The only plus side to this is that now is one of the better times to be in debt with this ridiculous inflation. Have any of you been to the grocery store recently?

 

[astral]

The only plus side to this is that now is one of the better times to be in debt with this ridiculous inflation. Have any of you been to the grocery store recently?

buy stocks not a bad education

 

[VoiceofReason]

Cost of MD too High.

 

[Flapjacks]

Cost of MD too High.

But at what cost?

 

[Instatewaiter]

But at what cost?

 

[RN-to-MD]

Forgive my ignorance on the whole system, but at the OP's age, why not say f*** the system, make the minimum payments or pay interest only and then just discharge the debt when he/she stoops over dead.

(Obviously I have no idea if the numbers come out ahead on this one.)

OP here, and I'm a chick, yep, this plan did occur to me, to sort of look at it like a mortgage or something you'd always have to pay and then stretch it to 30yrs and a make the min paymnt.

But, the scary thing is that, unless the current laws and bankruptcy bans are changed, those payments will ALWAYS be due, even after I retire, eg they can garnish your soc sec checks, your pension checks, etc to get that student loan payment. Imagine being a retiree, getting say $4k/mo pension and still having to pay out $2k in loans, nuts! I say, just nuts!

 

[nurseawesome]

RN to MD,
You took this question almost straight out of my brain. I am an RN that is now 3 weeks into medical school, and let me say, I know exactly what you mean regarding the love of science and the silliness of some nursing stuff. I have found medical school to be fun in a way.. if you love learning all day, everyday that is. The cost is ridiculous in many ways though, for sure. I myself struggle with my decision to go MD, and I honestly have really not figured out if I made the right choice.
I say go for it at least for a semester, and maybe discover if it really is your calling. I will be doing the same🙂

 

[RN-to-MD]

RN to MD,
You took this question almost straight out of my brain. I am an RN that is now 3 weeks into medical school, and let me say, I know exactly what you mean regarding the love of science and the silliness of some nursing stuff. I have found medical school to be fun in a way.. if you love learning all day, everyday that is. The cost is ridiculous in many ways though, for sure. I myself struggle with my decision to go MD, and I honestly have really not figured out if I made the right choice.
I say go for it at least for a semester, and maybe discover if it really is your calling. I will be doing the same🙂

Hiya, fellow RN!! I also thought about trying it on for a semester, but the whole process from ms1 to attending is full of hairpin curves, ms 1-2 are so different from ms3, ms4 a whole diff beast, same w/intern year and so on......the problem being one must travel down a lengthy and expensive road before you are actually at the finish line and can then ask, "hmmm, was this worth the $400k I'm now in hock?" I think I'm saying trying something out for a semester or so probably wouldn't give me a realistic sense of whether or not it's my calling.

But, man I do love learning stuff, I used to read biochem books and books on circuits for fun, the idea of learning stuff all day is a big draw for me, not sure about memorizing long lists of stuff tho.

Hey, nurseawesome, pm me w/the school you go to, if you don't mind, I'm wondering if it's the same as mine....😉

 

[DoctwoB]

This. I love learning new things, but not the process of cramming thousands of facts into my head. Medical school is more of the latter, less of the former (especially first year, it gets better second year).

 

[Funky]

Sorry I just had to.

 

[Crow King]

I ain't too high right now, that's for certain. 😛

 

[narinari]

 

[bluesky711]

Check it, D.O. school tuitions are generally more expensive.

 

[Elbowstoopointy]

I'll only be around 100k in debt and still feel like **** about it. Mainly because I won't see money for forever