dilemma: NP vs. MD

[JM2D]

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I know there have been many other threads that touch on the subject in some way or another, but I was looking for something more specific.

I am a nurse, 25 yrs old, that will get married next year and have children soon there after. I am torn between going to medical school and continuing to be an NP. I really want to go to medical school to expand my knowledge, but am worried I will not have enough time for myself and my family. My girlfriend who is also a nurse is very supportive in whatever decision I make, but I cannot decide on what route to take. If I go onto be a NP, I don't want to look back and wish I'd gone to medical school.

Any suggestions, comments?

Thanks,

JM2D 😕

 

[closet_premed?]

Hi there JM2D. If you want to go to medical school, then you should go. From what I have read from other individuals who post on the allopathic forum, you are correct in assuming that the process of getting a medical education will be quite time consuming. addition to attending medical school full time for four consecutive years, you will spend upwards of 3-4 years in a residency, depending on what specialty you choose to pursue (i.e. surgery, family medicine, emergency medicine?). Since you said you were also considering being an NP, I assume that you have a BSN as opposed to an Associate degree in nursing. If this is this case and you decide to pursue a medical education, I would suggest enrolling in what is called a Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program. These programs are for individuals who have already earned a Bachelor?s degree and have decided to pursue medicine as a career; you enroll in prerequisite courses required by medical schools (1 yr General Chemistry, 1 yr Organic Chemistry, 1 yr General Biology, 1 yr of General Physics) among other things. You can go to http://services.aamc.org/postbac/ to learn more about these individual programs. You will also need to study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) if you decide to apply to medical school (since you passed the NCLEX you should be used to the idea of having to study and prepare to take a standardized exam). I used to be in a nursing program and I decided to quit in order to enroll in required courses for medical school. During my clinical rotations I felt that I was more interested in becoming a physician instead of registered nurse. This is not to say that nurses are not a less important part of the healthcare team or that nursing is not a rewarding career, because many find that it is. I just felt that I would be happier being practicing medicine. If you feel the same way then go for it. Another thing, if you apply to medical school you will eventually have to do an interview; they will ask you why you are considering a career in medicine if you are already a nurse involved in taking care of patients. You should anticipate such questions and be prepared to answer them. Whether you decideto be a physician or nurse practitioner, best of luck to you!!

 

[flighterdoc]

I know there have been many other threads that touch on the subject in some way or another, but I was looking for something more specific.

I am a nurse, 25 yrs old, that will get married next year and have children soon there after. I am torn between going to medical school and continuing to be an NP. I really want to go to medical school to expand my knowledge, but am worried I will not have enough time for myself and my family. My girlfriend who is also a nurse is very supportive in whatever decision I make, but I cannot decide on what route to take. If I go onto be a NP, I don't want to look back and wish I'd gone to medical school.

Any suggestions, comments?

Thanks,

JM2D 😕

While NP's and PA's are both valuable members of the health care team, the thing to remember is that you'll never be the lead dog on the team. If you can live with that, then it might be a good choice. On the other hand, having kids while in med school and residency is hard.

 

[Mr_Money]

While NP's and PA's are both valuable members of the health care team, the thing to remember is that you'll never be the lead dog on the team.

Remember this: Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes.

 

[JDOC]

I think you should follow your dreams. I went the RN, NP route and thought I would be happy. I realized after 3 yrs as an NP that I still really wanted to go to medical school. The amount of knowledge you need to practice is intense. I have worked in ED, urgent care, and family practice. Being an NP is a great gig, definetly less time consuming. But if you want to be a doc go to medical school.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

JM2D,

This is all good advice. Bottom line - if you want to become a physician, nothing else will suffice. Follow your dreams!

Jonethan De.

 

[!dr_nick!]

Dont think that you have to be a physician to have a good, satisfying career. In two years you can walk away as an NP making a decent living, and have more time with your future family.
Its all about priorities. What do you want? Id hate for you to pass being an NP because it wasnt "good enough", or to pass being a doc up because of being frightened of the sacrifices.

 

[Sinnman]

I found myself in a similar dilemma a few years ago. I am also a nurse, a few years older than you and married. I had pretty much dismissed the idea of med school because of the time, debt, wanting to have a family etc. After working with NP's and physicians for a few years and talking with the NP programs I decided that if I was going to go back to school I was going to do what I really wanted to do.

For me, I really enjoy learning about medicine and trying to learn everything I can. NP school is full of a lot of nursing theory (I'd rather beat my head with a hammer than learn any more "nursing theory?) and has comparatively very little basic science. Granted, you don't have to know how a car works to drive one, I want to know why I'm doing what I'm doing. No offence NPs, there is a huge difference in the education between NPs and MDs/Dos. I have really enjoyed med school.

If you want to be a physician, go to medical school. You are still young and the time will fly by and when you're finished you will have obtained what you really wanted. There are plenty of people who are married and have kids in medical school. There are also plenty of NPs and Pass who are in medical school because they were not satisfied.

 

[JM2D]

Thanks for all the replies and advice everyone. I am now leaning alot more towards medical school.

Thanks again,

JM2D

 

[DeLaughterDO]

"(I'd rather beat my head with a hammer than learn any more "nursing theory?) "

AMEN! I have one you can borrow if you like - I'm finished with it.

jd

 

[peebit]

For me, I really enjoy learning about medicine and trying to learn everything I can. NP school is full of a lot of nursing theory (I'd rather beat my head with a hammer than learn any more "nursing theory?) and has comparatively very little basic science. Granted, you don't have to know how a car works to drive one, I want to know why I'm doing what I'm doing. No offence NPs, there is a huge difference in the education between NPs and MDs/Dos. I have really enjoyed med school.

This was very interesting to me, thanks for posting it. I'm currently in pre-med trying to decide about MD vs NP. The variables such as time and money are factors that I can weigh, but I feel like the most imponderable part is trying to figure out the qualitative differences. Do you think there is a difference in the intellectual approach to healthcare between medicine and nursing? Was nursing less analytical, or how would you characterize the difference? I would very happily give up the autonomy and status symbol of being a doctor to get through school more quickly and cheaply, but I would have a hard time feeling like I didn't have total intellectual mastery of a subject. On the other hand, I'm interested in primary care and family practice, and it seems that NPs do almost everything that MDs do in those fields. Is that accurate? Is there a big distinction in the educational approach? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Jambi]

Wow, you managed to bump this thread from more than 6 years ago! Pay attention to the freaking date next time eh?

 

[guetzow]

While NP's and PA's are both valuable members of the health care team, the thing to remember is that you'll never be the lead dog on the team.

Remember this: Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes.

I enjoy being a PA, bring in lots of business, and my Doc knows it. But seriously, don't be an NP if you really want to be an MD. "D"NP is just wayyyyy too pretentious.

 

[PSYCHNP]

While NP's and PA's are both valuable members of the health care team, the thing to remember is that you'll never be the lead dog on the team.

I enjoy being a PA, bring in lots of business, and my Doc knows it. But seriously, don't be an NP if you really want to be an MD. "D"NP is just wayyyyy too pretentious.

Must be another one of them trolls.

 

[fab4fan]

Wow, you managed to bump this thread from more than 6 years ago! Pay attention to the freaking date next time eh?

ETA: Oops, well that wasn't supposed to happen! LOL!

 

[bibibi]

If you are starting from the beginning I would advise going to med school. It will take you the same amount of time, but you will end up being more independent and not limited. Also MDs are more knowledgeable right out of school and out of residency compared to NPs. After 10-20 years of practice it will all depend on you.

 

[Narnian]

This thread is almost 7 years old... she is likely almost done with med school by now if she chose that path. or maybe she has a 5 year old kid and a lot of nursing experience. 😕 who knows.