I regret forever not going to medical school

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nurse2dr

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I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the ER and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel inferior because at 28 she is already a doctor while here I am,still a student.

Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get my LPN due to some life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.

I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you. Update: I want to close this thread. I already made my decision to go to med school.thanks for all your advice.by the way to khriskhoras,I am not a troll.im just an honest person expressing my real feelings.sorry if anybody got offended or got bothered by my post.i just needed some advice some point of view from physicians or med students.if I posted in the wrong forum,sorry.i just thought this is the right place to get some advice from people in the medical area.you did not have to read this thread anyway.i just needed some help.this is my last post.thank you all again.your advice really helped me decide my next path in life which is med school.thank you all and goodluck
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I'll be 34 when I start next august...and with a doctor salary the loans will be tolerable. Age and money shouldn't stop you. You might want to evaluate your academic performance/perseverance though....10yrs to finish an RN program is pretty strectched out. You can't stretch med school. I'm not coming down on you because I dripped out of school ten years ago and just recently returned to finish but I had to ask myself some tough questions about my capacity and some very direct questions to my wife about her willingness to stick with me through this process. It worked for me, you just need to decide if it works for you
 
We always feel insignificant when we compare ourselves to others. Its certainly not too late to look into med school as the average age is roughly 26 for starting. We have someone that is in their early 40's. Get your RN and then look into applying.
 
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I'm 34 now and a second year medical student. You're not to old to go to medical school.

Having said that I find myself saying the same thing as you all the time. I look at my 27 yr old cousin who has 4 yr degree in engineering. He works as a petroleum engineer making 6 figures working 1 week on 1 week off. On his week off he frequently goes on vacation and takes his boat out.

Many, many times I have felt like an idiot for going down this road. Not because its not a great job/career but because its frekin hard and long and is insanely expensive (think 300k+ loans). Often I day dream about being with my cousin fishing offshore or cruising on his boat, but I can't I study all the time. I have missed virtually every social event that has come up over the last 2 years that hasn't fallen on Christmas/Thanksgiving break.

Medical school is awesome in many ways, don't get me wrong. In many ways its also not awesome.

Do some soul searching and make sure that you really want medicine. If you do, go for it. If you just want to be called "doctor" then maybe try to settle into being an RN. Its a good career.

Your occupation shouldn't define your self worth.
 
The only thing you need to ask yourself is 'Do I think I can handle medical school'? If you went for nursing straight out of high school, ask yourself , "Why am I 10 years past that and still not a RN?" If it's because you had personal issues that pulled you away from school and thus you had leaves of absence, etc. etc. then so be it.

If it was because you were unable to quickly grasp the material that was taught in nursing school and struggled academically, then I ask you to do some real soul searching before you plunge headfirst into medical school.

All I know is that comparing yourself to others (like your high school class mate) is not beneficial. If you feel internally that you really want to be a doctor and are willing to go through the sacrifices for it, then go for it. As people above me have stated, your age is not a limiting factor. If you were to get in within the next year, you would be closer to the national average for matriculants than I was when I started medical school.
 
Im not quite sure I understand your logic. If it took you 10+ years to become an RN due to unforeseen circumstances, then why do you think you could have already become a doctor in that time frame? Wouldn't you have had the same circumstances that delayed your obtaining an RN?
 
nurse2dr said:
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the ER and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel like my status in life is so low compared to her.

Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get my LPN due to some life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.

I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.
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Don't feel down about yourself at all. However, I will caution you and say do not go to medical school. It simply is not worth it especially at your age. SDN is full of idealistic people and that's great but with the loans and the future decrease in salary it will not be worth your time. Everyone but PCP's are looking at a 5.9% cut for the next 3 years with no light at the end of the tunnel. I know it stinks to hear this but I am just being honest and laying out the facts.
 
No you do not have the right to feel that way. In fact, banish this entire train of thought forever.

This is NOT the Middle Ages, Physicians dont have some super elevated social status that allows us Prima Nocta.

Your story actually makes me sick to my stomach because the number of fellow physicians Ive known that could have been perfectly happy high school football coaches or plumbers or managers at the local bowling alley but instead committed suicide due to stress is sadly high.


Or the number of physician friends who had their house foreclosed on because they couldnt pay the combination of student loans, a crazy mortgage, office expenses AND deal with months of non-collection from payors. Or the physicians who turn to drug addiction to deal with this. Or become sex addicts!

This is akin to when I enlisted in the military bemoaning I might never have the chance to be in battle and get shot at and shoot some poor slob in the face! My fellow soldiers literally beat me senseless for such talk with good reason.
 
LADoc00 said:
No you do not have the right to feel that way. In fact, banish this entire train of thought forever.

This is NOT the Middle Ages, Physicians dont have some super elevated social status that allows us Prima Nocta.

Your story actually makes me sick to my stomach because the number of fellow physicians Ive known that could have been perfectly happy high school football coaches or plumbers or managers at the local bowling alley but instead committed suicide due to stress is sadly high.


Or the number of physician friends who had their house foreclosed on because they couldnt pay the combination of student loans, a crazy mortgage, office expenses AND deal with months of non-collection from payors. Or the physicians who turn to drug addiction to deal with this. Or become sex addicts!

This is akin to when I enlisted in the military bemoaning I might never have the chance to be in battle and get shot at and shoot some poor slob in the face! My fellow soldiers literally beat me senseless for such talk with good reason.
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LADoc,

Could you talk a bit more about the first bolded point? How many docs do you know who fit that category? What circumstances precipitated their suicide? Do you think this was more job-dependent or person-dependent?

In what branch of the military did you enlist? How long did you serve? Were you a military doctor?

thanx
😎
 
LADoc00 said:
No you do not have the right to feel that way. In fact, banish this entire train of thought forever.

This is NOT the Middle Ages, Physicians dont have some super elevated social status that allows us Prima Nocta.

Your story actually makes me sick to my stomach because the number of fellow physicians Ive known that could have been perfectly happy high school football coaches or plumbers or managers at the local bowling alley but instead committed suicide due to stress is sadly high.


Or the number of physician friends who had their house foreclosed on because they couldnt pay the combination of student loans, a crazy mortgage, office expenses AND deal with months of non-collection from payors. Or the physicians who turn to drug addiction to deal with this. Or become sex addicts!

This is akin to when I enlisted in the military bemoaning I might never have the chance to be in battle and get shot at and shoot some poor slob in the face! My fellow soldiers literally beat me senseless for such talk with good reason.
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Very good post.
 
Silent Cool said:
Could you talk a bit more about the first bolded point? How many docs do you know who fit that category? What circumstances precipitated their suicide? Do you think this was more job-dependent or person-dependent?
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Don't read that much into it. Something more has to be wrong with you than "job stress" to kill yourself. I sure as hell rather say "**** it," do something that lands me viral on YouTube when I quit, and move myself to Panama where I own a bar that sells mojitos to tourists before I ever put an end to my life.
 
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TriagePreMed said:
Don't read that much into it. Something more has to be wrong with you than "job stress" to kill yourself. I sure as hell rather say "**** it," do something that lands me viral on YouTube when I quit, and move myself to Panama where I own a bar that sells mojitos to tourists before I ever put an end to my life.
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Agreed.

The suicide rate is higher for physicians as a cohort, but correlation is not the same as causation. Those people may not have been 'perfectly happy' plumbers etc - some plumbers kill themselves too. Medicine may naturally attract types that don't deal with stress well and end up committing suicide to resolve it.
 
nurse2dr said:
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the ER and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel like my status in life is so low compared to her.

Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get my LPN due to some life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.

I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.
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Start taking steps to become a physician because if you don't do it now, you are going to regret it even more in 15 years. GL
 
I am a CNA > LPN > RN and now have been accepted to 3 DO schools to matriculated next year. I am 35. We have to live these years anyways! If your heart tells you this is the path you wish to take then don't let anyone stop you! It is not an easy road. It takes many years just to get to here. Start your med school prereqs with the idea of rocking every single one. Your nursing background will only benefit you. Feel free to PM me. Good luck!
 
It's never too late to become a physician and if you think you can handle the pre-reqs, MCAT and ECs needed to get in then go for it. A good friend of mine is in his 30s and enjoying himself in medical school.

Now remove that notion that you are somehow inferior to someone because you are an LPN or going to be an RN as it is just demeaning. My fiancee and family members are nurses and they love their careers and do not envy anyone for being a physician. In fact, they consider themselves part of the healthcare team.

If you're only going into being a physician for the status (which is what it seems like) then you are going into medicine for the wrong reasons. To do so much hard work, dedication and uncertainty ahead just so that you can say to people you are a physician seems a little ridiculous.
 
Get over it. At 28 you should be emotionally mature enough to stop comparing yourself to HS classmates.
I graduated PA school at 26. Knew I wanted to go back to med school then. At 28 was divorced and spent the next several years working 2 jobs and paying off debt. Started med school at 37 and will graduate next June at 40. Who's counting? I'm happy to be achieving my lifelong goal on my terms.
 
nurse2dr said:
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the ER and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel like my status in life is so low compared to her.

Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get my LPN due to some life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.

I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.
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You have the right to feel however you want to feel.

That said, feeling bad for yourself does nothing, and will get you nowhere. As you can see by the responses, there are plenty of people here that didn't go straight to med school and are older, myself included; I'll be 33 entering med school next year. It's completely doable, all you need is the drive. Work your butt off, and you either get in or you don't. At least to me, that's better than always wondering what-if for the rest of my life.

Also, there's always going to be somebody doing more than you. Stop comparing yourself to others, and try to focus on what will make you happy. Once you're doing those things, it's a lot easier to not care what others are doing in comparison to you. Sure I know people I went to UG with that are residents now after going to prestigious MD programs, or have their PhD from amazing schools. As much as I'd like to be that far along already, that's not the path my life went. I'll get where I want to be eventually, experience a bunch on the way, and know that I'm exactly where I want to be. I'm happy with that.
 
Suggest talking to a counselor or therapist about about this. Keep in mind medical school is HARD! Just thinking about what my students have to learn, even in single disciplines, makes my brain want to leak out of my ears.


To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?

Nope!! Some of my all-time best students have been in their 30s and 40s.

Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.[/QUOTE]
 
primadonna22274 said:
Get over it. At 28 you should be emotionally mature enough to stop comparing yourself to HS classmates.
I graduated PA school at 26. Knew I wanted to go back to med school then. At 28 was divorced and spent the next several years working 2 jobs and paying off debt. Started med school at 37 and will graduate next June at 40. Who's counting? I'm happy to be achieving my lifelong goal on my terms.
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Prima,

Is that you in your avatar?
 
thanks for all your replies. Just to clarify, like I said, I love being an LPN nurse. I do not want to go to medical school just for the prestige and money. But because it is what I always wanted to do all my life. Everytime I see the doctors walk in, I envy them because I always wanted to be one of them.Every year, I always ask myself why I did not go to med school.I have a 4.0 GPA so academically I can qualify.I just do not have a chance yet to pursue it because first, I am honestly financially in need since I'm back being a nursing student for my RN. I only work once a week with my school schedule.Even when I can finally afford to be one when I become an RN, I will probably be in my 30's by that time that's why I feel too old. I dont think I will have enough physical stamina and brain power to survive medical school in my 30's unlike when I am in my 20's.

Anyway, please do not misinterpret what I said about my low status in life. I was not talking about having a low status as a nurse. I was talking about feeling very inferior because my classmate at 28 is already a doctor, even training other older doctors, and I am still here, a STUDENT.Thank you all for your opinions and encouragement.
 
Just to reiterate, 28 is young. I'm almost 40 and don't regret a bit of the long and winding road that has brought me here. In fact it's all gone by so fast I don't believe I'm really the age that I am. You will be whatever age you are no matter what happens in your life. Finish one thing at a time and keep growing. Best wishes to you.
 
I just wanted to add that some of the best physicians I have ever met went a non-traditional route. Many do. Doing something before school can grant you invaluable insight that can only help when the time is right for you.

That said, you'll continue to be miserable in medicine if you continue to compare yourself to others to the point that it impedes your best efforts. There is no Dr. House. There is no perfect physician in any respect. It's all relative. At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for your patients.

I would shadow a few physicians if I were you, asking the hard questions about what their lives have really been like through the process. Many pre-meds, myself include, idealize and romanticize the profession initially. After working in healthcare for years and talking to dozens of physicians, I have been able to be more realistic about things. I, too, had to learn not to beat myself up over things someone else may know better. At the same time, I also had to learn the hard lesson of what's realistic.

Piggybacking on another poster's comment, I would also try and speak with a nurse practitioner and compare his or her experience with those of the physicians you shadow. It would be an easier transition as you are already a nurse. In addition, the newer degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) may end up suiting your interests better in the end.
 
There will always be someone more successful than you. There will always be someone who did things sooner than you. You have to get over that as soon as possible so you can do what is best for you.
 
nurse2dr said:
thanks for all your replies. Just to clarify, like I said, I love being an LPN nurse. I do not want to go to medical school just for the prestige and money. But because it is what I always wanted to do all my life. Everytime I see the doctors walk in, I envy them because I always wanted to be one of them.Every year, I always ask myself why I did not go to med school.I have a 4.0 GPA so academically I can qualify.I just do not have a chance yet to pursue it because first, I am honestly financially in need since I'm back being a nursing student for my RN. I only work once a week with my school schedule.Even when I can finally afford to be one when I become an RN, I will probably be in my 30's by that time that's why I feel too old. I dont think I will have enough physical stamina and brain power to survive medical school in my 30's unlike when I am in my 20's.

Anyway, please do not misinterpret what I said about my low status in life. I was not talking about having a low status as a nurse. I was talking about feeling very inferior because my classmate at 28 is already a doctor, even training other older doctors, and I am still here, a STUDENT.Thank you all for your opinions and encouragement.
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Sustain talk
Perseverative negative cognitive processes
 
Sustain thought negative thought process.really? You can diagnose me all you want.See this is one reason why I am proud to be a nurse.unlike some doctors,we have empathy for our patients,we have feelings.we do CARE.we actually find out what is going on with their lives.we do not just diagnose and write scripts and just leave the patient without regard for their feelings.and if I do get the chance to be a doctor,I would never want to be like you.but still,thank you for your opinion
 
nurse2dr said:
Sustain thought negative thought process.really? You can diagnose me all you want.See this is one reason why I am proud to be a nurse.unlike some doctors,we have empathy for our patients,we have feelings.we do CARE.we actually find out what is going on with their lives.we do not just diagnose and write scripts and just leave the patient without regard for their feelings.and if I do get the chance to be a doctor,I would never want to be like you.but still,thank you for your opinion
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Wow, way to generalize... I see just as many nurses rolling their eyes and bitching about their patients as any doctor. Your job doesn't make who you are and How you treat patients. Not all docs intentionally spend ten minutes with a patient. There's just no time when they have to think, dx and have a plan for every patient on the floor, twenty patients in ED, or the thirty patients they see in the clinic per day. As a fourth year student I spend so much time per patient, joke around with them, get them anything they want and they all tell me hoe Im so Mich better of a doctor than the residents snd attending that just Saw them... feels Nice but for that one patient I Saw the attending just Saw three, wrote discharge paper work for two and admitted another to the floor while answering a phone call with two very sick patients needing a line and a new patient just triaged with undifferentiatrd abdominal pain...
 
nurse2dr said:
See this is one reason why I am proud to be a nurse.unlike some doctors,we have empathy for our patients,we have feelings.we do CARE.we actually find out what is going on with their lives.we do not just diagnose and write scripts and just leave the patient without regard for their feelings.and if I do get the chance to be a doctor,I would never want to be like you.but still,thank you for your opinion
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Yeah, that's all we usually do. Care shmare. Have you seen the keys for my Benz? I'm late for my tee time.😉
Stay in nursing.👍
 
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well, this escalated quickly...
 
IlDestriero said:
Yeah, that's all we usually do. Care shmare. Have you seen the keys for my Benz? I'm late for my tee time.
Stay in nursing.👍
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Lol. Definitely getting tired of reading about the evil greedy money loving doctor being compared to the kind hearted, hand holding nurse. It's just a job. Medical school didn't effect the way I treat a Complete stranger. Every single medical student or applicant has done Hours of volunteer work, community outreach or even go abroad... that's more than the average person. Some had different motives for each but to say we don't care is ridiculous and childish.
 
Sorry about my reply.i am not trying to start any argument.i was not generalizing all doctors are like that.remember I said I even want to be a doctor.i just said SOME.i only wanted to relay my message to the one doctor who instead of replying to my post with empathy and encouraging me to pursue my dream,instead replied with an insult.i love doctors.i even want to be one.please do not misunderstand
 
nurse2dr said:
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old. I am currently an LPN and I am in school for my RN.I had my Med surg clinical in the ER and walked right in the middle of a code seeing a very familiar young doctor doing CPR. When I asked the nurse precepting me, I found out that doctor is my former classmate in high school.We both graduated high school in 2002. Now, 11 years later, I never felt so low in my life, I was looking down on myself regarding my status in life.Compared to her, at 28 years old, she was already a doctor and I am still stuck as a nursing student. I was so ashamed that I even tried to avoid her. I feel like my status in life is so low compared to her.

Plus, add the fact that I always wanted to be a doctor all my life since I was a baby.But my mom told me why not just be a nurse first and when I have enough money saved, go to medical school.Also, add the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get my LPN due to some life circumstances. Have I known that I will be in school this long, then I should have spent my $60,000 student loans on becoming a doctor(which is what I always wanted, which is my heart has always wanted.) instead of going through 10 years of nursing school.Dont get me wrong. I love taking care of people and being a nurse. But I've always been more interested in actually treating patients and more on the medical side than on the caring side.

I am so jealous of my high school classmate. I feel once I get my RN, it is too late to go to medical school since by that time, I will be in my 30s, I am already married, I am already too old to go to medical school maybe my body might not have enough energy anymore to go through med school related to age plus I cannot add any more student loans to my $60,000 debt.I wanted to be a doctor so much I am willing to go to medical school in any country as long as somebody helps me become a doctor.Sorry for posting this but I guess I just need to vent how sad I am.To any doctor or medical student out there, do you think I have the right to feel this way?Is it really too late for me to go to med school once I get my RN in my 30s?Thank you.
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I'm sorry, but I think these are terrible reasons to become a doctor - i.e., envy, low self-esteem, keeping up with the Joneses, grass is greener. Interesting how nobody pointed this out.

It seems like you made some practically sound reasons to become a nurse... reasons that a lot of other people make to sensibly choose nursing. Not only that, there's things you seem to like about nursing over medicine. It's just you felt the need to be insecure and compare yourself to high school classmate. That's a terrible reason to make the rather weighty decision to become a physician and endure its burdens.

Also, you're married and with $60K in debt. I love how people her tell her to just go ahead and do it. Sounds like she should be talking to her spouse first. But I guess you all think he's expendable.
 
Why are so many people responding to this fool? He/she cannot even write a grammatically correct sentence, yet states he/she has a 4.0 GPA. Troll?
 
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.
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khrisskhoras said:
I guess ppl just like being trolled *shrug*
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I don't think OP is a troll. I've had a few friends like this. They are usually looking for empathy and comfort rather than answers when facing a stressful solution. SDN is a HORRIBLE place for that sort of thing.

OP, if you want to pursue a career path and have questions then feel free to ask. We can't tell you what is right for you. If you need someone to talk to it might be best to call up a friend or family member rather than put your feelings on SDN.
 
Agreed.no matter what everybody says,in the end,the decision is all up to me.so I've decided to go on to med school after rn school and that will make me happy.thanks for all your advice and comments.you don't have to reply anymore coz I've made my decision.thanks again.see you later med school.THREAD CLOSED.
 
I do agree with some of what has been stated above. The OP really needs to evaluate why she/he wants to become a doctor. Jealousy, unfulfilled wishes and the like will not give the motivation to succeed. Its not enough to simply want it, you must pursue it without compromise. Does the OP feel that she/he is ready to fully commit and take that leap?

That being said, many of us non-traditionals have taken our sweet time finishing our undergraduate studies. Mine was spread out over quite a few years. In that time I had children and another career. When the decision was made ( with my husbands input and support ) for me to return to school it was with a full commitment. That meant to me full time classes, full time work and full time family. The volunteering and shadowing was done on any spare time that did not take away from any of the time spent taking my children to their activities or school obligations. All of my prereqs and the bulk of both of my bachelors degrees were done in the last three years, no breaks, no summers, no quitting.

Mid 30s is not too old to go to medical school, unless of course you are looking for a good excuse to not go. If so, then it will do. Myself and several of my friends are all in that age range and are either in medical school or are heading there. $60K in debt is nothing compared to med school loans so that cant be the stopping point either. Again, how badly do you want this? What is motivating you? All of these "yeah, but" arguments hold no water, they simply are excuses for what is really the issue. You spent 10 years going from high school > LPN > RN. You will spend another 10 going to MD/DO. Ask yourself what you want out of this life. If it is to become a doctor then make it happen.
 
OP - just get your DNP after your RN!

It only takes a couple of years and you will then be a doctor with the legal right to diagnose, prescribe, and treat, and in many states do so without physician supervision. And you won't even have to do a residency.
 
GUH said:
OP - just get your DNP after your RN!

It only takes a couple of years and you will then be a doctor with the legal right to diagnose, prescribe, and treat, and in many states do so without physician supervision. And you won't even have to do a residency.
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But the OP specifically stated She isnt about just diagnosing, prescribing and treating, he/she wants to go to Medical school. Will probably still feel the same way after DNP when OP sees the high school physician friend again down the road.

Glad you made up your mind OP. Now just go do it. GL.
 
First of all, it is most definitely NOT too late. Someone above mentioned SDN being full of optimists? Ha! There are more naysayers here than just about anywhere. Naysayers are good though... they challenge you to face yourself. If naysaying is enough to keep you from going forward with some venture, then you really didn't want it that bad. A former coach of mine always said "How bad do you want it?" So, how bad?

But before that... the better question to ask is "why do you want it?" Why? And be honest with yourself. If it's "because I've always wanted to be a doctor" then I'm not sure that's enough. 'Want' isn't enough in my opinion. But do you need to be a doctor? I ask this because if there is anything else you can truly see yourself doing and being happy with (and paid of course) then you should go with that. Nursing is a great field. Do you enjoy it (besides the occasional Dr. envy)? There are certainly avenues to take in that field that could lead to financial success and without all the headaches that come with med school, debt, residency, etc. So, do you really NEED to be a doctor? Or do you believe that deep down, becoming a physician will somehow make you feel like you can be proud of yourself and feel accomplished? If it's the latter case, medical school isn't the answer either, not at least until you dig to the bottom of this mindset and figure yourself out a bit.

I'm going to be a naysayer and say don't go to medical school, not now that is. Finish your RN. Seek counseling so you can answer some of your deeper questions. The main impetus I see in your post is the inferiority you felt when seeing the former classmate on a code. Now, that could be the spark you needed in order to reignite the fires that could propel you forward to follow your dreams. Or it could have just been a moment of self-awareness, highlighting the fact that you've been spinning your tires for the past decade without much to show. (If that's the case, you probably would have had that same feeling had you seen a friend doing well in some other field as well, so this may not necessarily pertain to just becoming a physician or not). But do yourself a favor, and don't consider the last decade a waste and beat yourself up over it. As long as you come out learning something from this and can utilize it to your advantage, then it's of value and you can move forward with a bit more wisdom.

Bottom line: It's on you to see if there are deeper reasons behind the desire to become a physician. Do you need to be a physician or do you just want to be one? Doesn't sound like much of a difference, but the former will help push you through the difficult moments when you feel like walking away from the mess (and a mess it is indeed; even as a 2nd year non-trad, I would not recommend this path to anyone). The latter will leave you wondering why the heck you decided to do this in the first place and will lead to utter misery.

Be real with yourself. Pure honesty. Be patient with yourself too. Finish the RN and take it from there. Put the med school thing on the back-burner. Best of luck.
 
I want to make 2 points here:



1- I went to med school at 39- finished IM residency at 46 and have been practicing for 14 years-best thing I ever did and would do it again in a heartbeat.

2- Most people rise to the occassion. Have any of you seen the movie Gross Anatomy? Not very realistic or even very good. However, I still remember that the wise ass med student eventually realized what this is all about (chicks and money lol)-treating and caring for patients. You will too.
 
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Ok, thanks y'all but not germane to the thread and I'm definitely too old for you 🙂
 
nurse2dr said:
I am posting this thread because I feel really depressed. Maybe I can say I might need comfort but I can honestly say I regret forever why I did not go to medical school.Let me tell you my story.

I am already 28 years old.
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Leave the past in the past and use what you've gained to get you to the future you so desire.
 
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