Dislike hospital setting?

[chancer]

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So, I am not totally sure on medical school. I am pretty sure I would like to work in some sort of health care as I find anatomy very interesting and I do like having a job where I feel I am making a direct difference in someone's life. I have volunteered in rural care settings and did enjoy that. Lastly, I will be getting loans to pay for graduate/medical school and I can't see myself getting 90k in debt for a different field that pays 50k a year (physical therapy). Vet school will be over 150k in debt and pay is around 50-60k.

At any rate, I had to make a trip to the ER to re-fill a prescription. As, I was sitting in the waiting area and walked around the hospital a bit, I found it to be incredibly stoic and depressing. I thought how much I would dread having to be surronded by a feeling of such lack of creativity my entire life.

I am not sure what exactly to do now. I have already taken the MCAT and GRE and did fairly well on both. I need to go to graduate school as making a decent living is important to me to be able to support a family I will one day have. I am also an "older than average" student so I need to make a decision. I have thought about law school, but I really think the last thing the world needs is another attorney.

Does anyone else feel this way about working in a hospital?😕

 

[Rafa]

I hate hospital waiting rooms too. But it's more interesting when you're on the other side.

 

[Vvandenn]

I hate hospital waiting rooms too. But it's more interesting when you're on the other side.

I agree.

 

[Lulu8]

I would suggest volunteering in a hospital for a few weeks to see if you still find it depressing or if your opinion changes once you get a better perspective on the way hospitals work to help their patients. You might still find out that working in a hospital setting is not for you, but you never know.

Also, if you aren't POSITIVE that you want to be a doctor and commit yourself to probably 7-10 years of education, then I would suggest not going the med school route. It's a pretty long and tough road, and I think most people would be miserable during those 7-10 years if they didn't REALLY want it. If you're choosing between med and law school, keep in mind that law school is over in 3 years and the application process is WAAAAAY easier! (my husband is a first year law student so I have both perspectives.)

hope this helps!

 

[xpinchx]

Haha, going to the ER to refill a script. I bet those doctors loved you 🙂. In all seriousness, some people just don't like hospitals. I didn't at first either, but after you're in and around them long enough you learn to love it. When you know what's going on and you know what you're supposed to be doing, it can be just like any other job. For me the main thing to get over was the smells. It sucks walking into work every morning to the smell of shit and stale urine, but I imagine not every floor is like that.

But yeah, you really need to work in a hospital before you decide for sure. Being a patient and an employee are two different things. Once you get to know the dynamics of the hospital and your coworkers the hospital really becomes a living thing and it's not so stoic and depressing. Once you get to know the patients on the floor you work on it's not so void of personality and creativity. You get to learn about individual struggles and defeats. It really just takes on a whole new light. Find a volunteer program at a bigger hospital, or better yet a university hospital. If after a few weeks you still don't like it, it probably isn't the best choice since the hospital will basically be your home away from home for the rest of your life.

 

[chancer]

Thank you for your responses.

I think you have a good suggestion about working in a hosptial. Which, I have worked in a trauma unit, and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. But as with anything that gives you an adrenaline rush, that will fade away. And really, that was the only thing I liked about it. I like having to think on my feet in hectic situations. But I still found the surrondings a bit depressing.

I have worked around criminal law attorneys when I worked in law enforcement and in court they just seem to bicker back and fourth. Also, to be a good lawyer, you have to be very critical in nature. And this is dangerous because it can make you have a negative outlook and prone to look for things that are not always there. It is also somewhat of a narcissistic field. Not to mention over-saturated.

Non-courtroom attorneys such as ones that draw contracts ect...I would go nuts w/ boredom. Reading about infringement laws...I would rather pull my nails out.

I don't know what the hell I am going to do. 🙁

I am almost 30.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel like I need to decide soon. I have spent too much time already wandering aimlessly.

 

[Xypathos]

I'm much more of a rural preference myself. I was born and raised on a farm in North Carolina, the closest town was 30 miles away and I attended a high school with a graduating class of 87.

I prefer that over the hospital not b/c I find it depressing, I'm actually very much an introvert and would love to live my life traveling for a year at a time on my own, lock myself in my room for a year so as to write and continue this process with minimal interaction with human beings. So if I had to choose to either be a rural doctor or a hospital one ... I'd take rural any day of the week.

 

[Xypathos]

I'm much more of a rural preference myself. I was born and raised on a farm in North Carolina, the closest town was 30 miles away and I attended a high school with a graduating class of 87.

I prefer that over the hospital not b/c I find it depressing, I'm actually very much an introvert and would love to live my life traveling for a year at a time on my own, lock myself in my room for a year so as to write and continue this process with minimal interaction with human beings. So if I had to choose to either be a rural doctor or a hospital one ... I'd take rural any day of the week.

 

[xpinchx]

Thank you for your responses.

I think you have a good suggestion about working in a hosptial. Which, I have worked in a trauma unit, and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. But as with anything that gives you an adrenaline rush, that will fade away. And really, that was the only thing I like about it. I like thinking on my feet in hectic situations. But I still found the surrondings a bit depressing.

I have worked around criminal law attorneys when I worked in law enforcement and in court they just seem to bicker back and fourth. Also, to be a good lawyer, you have to be very critical in nature. And this is dangerous because it can make you have a negative outlook and prone to look for things that are not always there. It is also somewhat of a narcissistic field. Not to mention over-saturated.

Non-courtroom attorneys such as ones that draw contracts ect...I would go nuts w/ boredom. Reading about infringement laws...I would rather pull my nails out.

I don't know what the hell I am going to do. 🙁

I am almost 30.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel like I need to decide soon. I have spent too much time already wandering aimlessly.

Just make sure you don't go into medicine for the wrong reasons. If you're struggling to decide between a lawyer or a doctor, I have a feeling you might be doing it for the money. If that's the case there are a dozen other things you can do that make decent money and aren't that boring. Especially being 30 (no offense) you're going to commit at least 7-8 years of your life to education (assuming you have the pre-reqs fille already, if not there's at least 10 years.) So 10 years of your life and $150,000 in loans. If you're going to commit that much of yourself to it you really need to make sure it'll be worth it in the end.

 

[chancer]

"Haha, going to the ER to refill a script. I bet those doctors loved you."

Yeah, I actually saw a PA and to make a long story short I walked out w/out getting the refill.


He didn't have to be so rude about. I needed the meds.

Oh well.

 

[Rafa]

I'm much more of a rural preference myself. I was born and raised on a farm in North Carolina, the closest town was 30 miles away and I attended a high school with a graduating class of 87.

I prefer that over the hospital not b/c I find it depressing, I'm actually very much an introvert and would love to live my life traveling for a year at a time on my own, lock myself in my room for a year so as to write and continue this process with minimal interaction with human beings. So if I had to choose to either be a rural doctor or a hospital one ... I'd take rural any day of the week.

I like your thinking. It's very true - medicine doesn't have to take place in a big city hospital. There are plenty of other ways. The trick is to find what's best for you.

 

[xpinchx]

"Haha, going to the ER to refill a script. I bet those doctors loved you."

Yeah, I actually saw a PA and to make a long story short I walked out w/out getting the refill.


He didn't have to be so rude about. I needed the meds.

Oh well.

You could probably stop by your family practice's office and get a refill faster than you ever will in an ER. Heh, the ER is not for script refills. I read a book written by a a MD/PhD that directed the emergency medicine roation at some medical school. He put out a satirical fliar for the ER docs/residents. He said "the ER will be issuing handguns to ER doctors and residents for use in the following scenarios:" and one of them was people who come into the ER for script refills.

If you ever end up in that doctor's or PA's footsteps you will realize why they were so rude.

 

[chancer]

Just make sure you don't go into medicine for the wrong reasons. If you're struggling to decide between a lawyer or a doctor, I have a feeling you might be doing it for the money. If that's the case there are a dozen other things you can do that make decent money and aren't that boring. Especially being 30 (no offense) you're going to commit at least 7-8 years of your life to education (assuming you have the pre-reqs fille already, if not there's at least 10 years.) So 10 years of your life and $150,000 in loans. If you're going to commit that much of yourself to it you really need to make sure it'll be worth it in the end.

No offense taken. You have good advice. I have lived in the middle east and helped provide medical care for the indignet, sick and injured due to war. I loved helping these people w/ a passion. But what other jobs are out there that help people, provide autonomy, make a decent income, and allow you the flexibilty to travel the world?

I don't think there are very many.

The corporate world is out of the question.

I appreciate all the advice from everyone. I feel like I am getting advice from 20 future doctors for free🙂


Thank you again.

 

[xpinchx]

No offense taken. You have good advice. I have lived in the middle east and helped provide medical care for the indignet, sick and injured due to war. I loved helping these people w/ a passion. But what other jobs are out there that help people, provide autonomy, make a decent income, and allow you the flexibilty to travel the world?

I don't think there are very many.

The corporate world is out of the question.

I appreciate all the advice from everyone. I feel like I am getting advice from 20 future doctors for free🙂


Thank you again.

I'm not sure how much you're into it, but travel nursing is certainly a good option. That's what I almost did but I switched tracks to medical school along the way. The wages are good, plenty of opportunity for travel, providing direct patient care, etc. If you decide you want to settle down you could always get your CRNA and bring in a lot more cash. Dunno, that's just one option.

 

[chancer]

You could probably stop by your family practice's office and get a refill faster than you ever will in an ER. Heh, the ER is not for script refills. I read a book written by a a MD/PhD that directed the emergency medicine roation at some medical school. He put out a satirical fliar for the ER docs/residents. He said "the ER will be issuing handguns to ER doctors and residents for use in the following scenarios:" and one of them was people who come into the ER for script refills.

If you ever end up in that doctor's or PA's footsteps you will realize why they were so rude.

The clinic was closed plus it doesn't have a pharmacy on site. I am in an area where I do not have a lot of options.

I mean c'mon....the viagra was an emergency...

Just kidding.

 

[chancer]

I'm not sure how much you're into it, but travel nursing is certainly a good option. That's what I almost did but I switched tracks to medical school along the way. The wages are good, plenty of opportunity for travel, providing direct patient care, etc. If you decide you want to settle down you could always get your CRNA and bring in a lot more cash. Dunno, that's just one option.

That's good advice. I will definitely think about and look into it. You may have a good idea.

My mom was nurse, after 15 years working for a county hospital as a burns/pedi nurse she experienced anaphylactic reaction to a cleaning chemical they use on the floor. Basically, they couldn't find her another position and could no longer do floor nursing so they had to let her go.

My ex gf is a labor delivery nurse and got bored with how much they are not allowed to do, so she is taking pre-reqs to go to med school.

So, I am not sure. But every situation is different and think travel nursing may be fun..

I dunno...I could be like the guy from 'meet the fookers'..

jk

 

[nekrogg]

So, I am not totally sure on medical school. I am pretty sure I would like to work in some sort of health care as I find anatomy very interesting and I do like having a job where I feel I am making a direct difference in someone's life. I have volunteered in rural care settings and did enjoy that.

Does anyone else feel this way about working in a hospital?😕

You are definently not alone. Dont give up on medicine just yet! Suny Upstate actually has a campus dedicated to primary care, out of hospital type rotations. Although you cant avoid hospitals 100%, it is definently worth looking into. Its called the Binghamton campus. They also have a rural medicine program too. Im sure other schools have something similar.

 

[Xypathos]

I'm in the same boat as you are man ... we can do it.

I'm a major introvert and it's something I've come to accept. Sure, I have friends and hang out with them but it always has to be in groups of like 4 or less or I start "locking myself down" socially. Large groups have always bothered me and I've been through all kinds of counseling for it --- from forcing myself to attend parties, medicine to control my social anxiety, and just doing "extrovert" things. They've never worked for me.

I'm not saying you're an introvert or anything, but from the way you worded some posts it seems like you might be.

As I said above, that's why I don't want to be a hospital doctor b/c I would go nuts with that many people around me. Maybe private practice, I dunno.

Ideally, I'd want to do something FP related b/c it would meet me goals to want to travel. If I could travel around the world for the rest of my life --- settle down somewhere for a year or two, practice, move on and repeat the process so that way I could heal people and give me time to travel and write, that I would love.

I have no desire to be rich ... just enough to support me to travel and write.

We'll see how it turns out.

 

[DblHelix]

I completely feel you man. Early on in this process I was volunteering at an ER. Let me tell you, there were definitly days I didn't like the hospital. I would come home and say to myself, "do I really want to spend the rest of my life in a place where people are screaming/moaning all day?" But there are definitly cool parts to it too. Once you start learning what's going on and how to do certain things it makes the hospital more fun.

More importantly though, medicine is such an incredibly dynamic degree that once you have it, you don't need to spend much time at all at a hospital. I know a doc who absolutely hates hospitals but loves working in his private practice everyday. He only goes into the hospitals to say hi to a patient of his that happens to be in the hospital for some reason. I hope to have a healthy balance, maybe three days a week in office and two in the hospital.

Eitherway, don't worry. just because you haven't fallen in love with the beautiful decor, alcohol cleaning supply smells, and crazy, deranged, ungrateful patients doesn't mean you shouldn't become a doctor. 👍

 

[Xypathos]

this explains so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back troll.

Should I care to guess where you got the name from?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Just do an outpatient based specialty, you may never have to set foot in a hospital. Like private practice dermatology, so sweet.

 

[Xypathos]

i am from germany!

Since we can't prove otherwise without an IP check, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

You've obviously been reading the boards to be able to make a decision like you did above.

Just find it interesting that after I made the comments I did about a 'German kid' in my Chemistry class that you pop up and reply directly to one of my posts.

The thread where I discuss the german kid being http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=320860

 

[chancer]

I'm in the same boat as you are man ... we can do it.

I'm a major introvert and it's something I've come to accept. Sure, I have friends and hang out with them but it always has to be in groups of like 4 or less or I start "locking myself down" socially. Large groups have always bothered me and I've been through all kinds of counseling for it --- from forcing myself to attend parties, medicine to control my social anxiety, and just doing "extrovert" things. They've never worked for me.

I'm not saying you're an introvert or anything, but from the way you worded some posts it seems like you might be.

As I said above, that's why I don't want to be a hospital doctor b/c I would go nuts with that many people around me. Maybe private practice, I dunno.

Ideally, I'd want to do something FP related b/c it would meet me goals to want to travel. If I could travel around the world for the rest of my life --- settle down somewhere for a year or two, practice, move on and repeat the process so that way I could heal people and give me time to travel and write, that I would love.

I have no desire to be rich ... just enough to support me to travel and write.

We'll see how it turns out.

You are perceptive. I think that is a good quality to have.

No, your right. I do feel like I am being drawn from and feel uncomfortable when around a large group of people.

I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I think in american society you are looked down upon or considered "stuck up" if someone is not overly social. Luckily, I have learned that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. No matter how persistant in their opinion they are right.

I like helping people who need help and have good hearts. But I am with you, large groups of people annoy me. I guess it has something to do with the selfishness that is prevalent in so many people.

I read a good quote the other day in a book from one of the classes I am taking.

It said,

"For some, privacy is what gives them a chance to repair their psyches and accumulate the moral and psychic capital they rely on when they emerge into public".


I may be wrong, but I think that someone who goes through life and is comfortable around large groups of people and isn't sensitive to what is around them, can often miss out of the deeper meaning of situations and what is truly around them.

Working in law enforcement for several years and serving a tour of duty in Iraq may have flawed my judgement of human nature. But none the less, I still would rather be around smaller groups of people and in an atmosphere I feel comfortable in.

 

[chancer]

haah. sorry i am not that german kid. he is weird. i dress like all americans. why are you harrassing me. is it becasue i am an immigrant? becasue i am legal and do not apprecite this meanness!

Being that you are from Germany, (nice red light district in Frankfurt by the way) we understand you have a pre-disposition to control things.

HOWEVER, me must understand that this thread is about ME!!



jk

 

[chancer]

I completely feel you man. Early on in this process I was volunteering at an ER. Let me tell you, there were definitly days I didn't like the hospital. I would come home and say to myself, "do I really want to spend the rest of my life in a place where people are screaming/moaning all day?" But there are definitly cool parts to it too. Once you start learning what's going on and how to do certain things it makes the hospital more fun.

More importantly though, medicine is such an incredibly dynamic degree that once you have it, you don't need to spend much time at all at a hospital. I know a doc who absolutely hates hospitals but loves working in his private practice everyday. He only goes into the hospitals to say hi to a patient of his that happens to be in the hospital for some reason. I hope to have a healthy balance, maybe three days a week in office and two in the hospital.

Eitherway, don't worry. just because you haven't fallen in love with the beautiful decor, alcohol cleaning supply smells, and crazy, deranged, ungrateful patients doesn't mean you shouldn't become a doctor. 👍

Lol...that last part is funny and true!!

Good post.

Thank you.

 

[Packamylase]

Since we can't prove otherwise without an IP check, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

You've obviously been reading the boards to be able to make a decision like you did above.

Just find it interesting that after I made the comments I did about a 'German kid' in my Chemistry class that you pop up and reply directly to one of my posts.

The thread where I discuss the german kid being http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=320860

Xypathos, I can't believe all these trolls are attacking you, personally. It must make you proud. 😴

 

[chancer]

its nothing personal. i attack all JEWISH F@GGOTS!

your going to make an excellent doctor.

now go away!

 

[Packamylase]

your going to make an excellent doctor.

now go away!

Well, it looks like he's gone.

 

[chancer]

You are definently not alone. Dont give up on medicine just yet! Suny Upstate actually has a campus dedicated to primary care, out of hospital type rotations. Although you cant avoid hospitals 100%, it is definently worth looking into. Its called the Binghamton campus. They also have a rural medicine program too. Im sure other schools have something similar.

Good info.

Thanks.

 

[Dr. CARLOS]

wrong you ******!

oh no!

 

[chancer]

Well, it looks like he's gone.

hopefully for good. this is suppose to be a forum for progressive thinkers.
the sad part is, with such hatred he is only isolating himself.

remind me to make a larger donation to the aclu this month.

 

[Xypathos]

Xypathos, I can't believe all these trolls are attacking you, personally. It must make you proud. 😴

Not proud, but they can attack me if they want. I find it to be quite amusing actually, gives me a nice break from my paper I'm preparing on divine proportions for a math conference.

 

[Xypathos]

i just hope we meet in person. chiinks are LOSERS!

So now I'm a Jewish Chinese? Odd mix.

But yes, perhaps one day our paths in life will cross. How should I recognize you?

 

[chancer]

i just hope we meet in person. chiinks are LOSERS!

WHAT PART OF GO AWAY DIDN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THE FIRST TIME?

This is the last time you will be acknowleged as it is only rewarding you, however here is a little lesson as i would give a child for this is how you are acting.

Treat others nice and they will be nice to you. Your hatred and stupidity will get you no where in life other than well, prison.

It's a noval concept. But I truly believe with the right medication(you can go to a clinic it's free) and therapy followed by several acts of kindness to others, you may be able to change the anger you have inside and people may even begin to like you.

Until then your stupidity that you think is getting you attention will only be ignored and thrown out with the trash.

Grow up.

 

[Rafa]

Ideally, I'd want to do something FP related b/c it would meet me goals to want to travel. If I could travel around the world for the rest of my life --- settle down somewhere for a year or two, practice, move on and repeat the process so that way I could heal people and give me time to travel and write, that I would love.

I have no desire to be rich ... just enough to support me to travel and write.

We'll see how it turns out.

You're about the first person I've ever come across on SDN who seems to view this whole thing the way I do. I'd also like to have the time to do medicine, to write, and to travel - all together, all on my own time. Money doesn't matter - just supporting what I'd love to do.

I think it's possible. Keep the faith, bro.