Do I take the dive?

[jcat01]

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Hello all!!

I've been lurking for quite some time, but I finally want to ask ya'll my question. What is the best route for me to go?

I am a nurse, and I got my LPN in 07, RN in 08, and I will have my BSN in 15. My BSN has taught me this: it was a waste of time and money.

I do not see myself anywhere but the bedside. I have spent most of my career in Trauma/Surgical or Burn ICUs and ERs. I love taking care of critically ill patients. Now I need to figure out where to go from here.

I had thought ACNP considering my love of CCM, however, my local college does a crap job of teaching. Per my colleuges curgently in the program, the respiratory lecture was no better than ADN level. So, I thought CRNA. But, I don't want to be stuck with bread n butter cases. I dont mind supervision in the least, but it would eventually bug me to not do more like it does now. So, my next thought was MDA/CCM. I don't care about making a crap ton of money, just having the knowledge to do right by my patients.

However, reading through here, it seems as if people think the MDA route is going to crap because of CRNAs. I don't want to spend all that time and money to only supervise people. I actually want to anesthetize and use my brain.

I'm just kinda stuck on where to go. I have time to figure it out-I need science classes and the MCAT which will take me about two years. I'm 31 now with no kids.

Any good advice?

 

[Deranged Medic]

I actually want to anesthetize and use my brain.

I'm not a nurse, but I have a paramedic background and similar story. I considered both nursing and PA schools; however, I knew I would love the job for a couple years but ultimately want more. I realized if I didn't at least try to pursue medicine, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Now that I will be starting medical school next fall, I couldn't be happier with my decision.

If you think you could be happy doing one of the careers you listed, I would encourage you to do it (less school, less money, less time out of your life.) However, if becoming a physician is your dream, then I would encourage you to head towards medicine.

 

[MSmentor018]

what's the MDA route? is that the same as adult NP working in critical care?
most midlevels regardless of specialty do the bread and butter stuff. in some sense that's the beauty of the job but also the reason why I didn't do it and went into medicine instead. read my posts, there are tons of threads on what you're asking