Looking for advice and a reality check

[Dylan1218]

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Hi SDN, I've been lurking around these forums for a few months now. I think I've finally come to the point where I really could use some more practical advice outside of family and friends. To start off, I'm not currently enrolled a in "pre-med" program. I'm a second semester freshman looking to enter the medical field and I've done my fair share of research (Excluding shadowing or volunteer...). I belive I like the idea of being a doctor, and I've read about the good sides and the bad. Yet I still don't feel completely confident in my decision to dive right into a premed curriculum.

My concerns on this desiscion is,
-Can I handle the curriculum
(I've gained confidence in this after taking Bio101 and consistently getting high 90's on all tests and quizes including the labs. But is this a realistic indicator of ability?)
-Will I regret this decision as opposed to another medical field. Ex: Nursing

If anyone has any input on this I'd really appreciate anything and everything you can give me. Good or bad

 

[VictorAlpha]

you're so early on. This is an advantage. If you think you might want it then go after it. No one is going to be able to read the future for you, but for what its worth you seem like you're doing well so keep at it. With regard to other possible options: I would just take time over the next couple years and see if you could get some other shadowing opportunities from nurses, PAs, pharmacists, dentists and of course physicians etc... Talk with them a little and see how they made their choices and compare that with what you could see for yourself. Stay open-minded maybe you will find something else that isn't even health care related that you enjoy more who knows. Best of Luck!!

 

[Geebeejay]

Hi SDN, I've been lurking around these forums for a few months now. I think I've finally come to the point where I really could use some more practical advice outside of family and friends. To start off, I'm not currently enrolled a in "pre-med" program. I'm a second semester freshman looking to enter the medical field and I've done my fair share of research (Excluding shadowing or volunteer...). I belive I like the idea of being a doctor, and I've read about the good sides and the bad. Yet I still don't feel completely confident in my decision to dive right into a premed curriculum.

My concerns on this desiscion is,
-Can I handle the curriculum
(I've gained confidence in this after taking Bio101 and consistently getting high 90's on all tests and quizes including the labs. But is this a realistic indicator of ability?)
-Will I regret this decision as opposed to another medical field. Ex: Nursing

If anyone has any input on this I'd really appreciate anything and everything you can give me. Good or bad

1. You can handle the pre-med curriculum. It's really not hard if you put time aside a few times a week to study your science classes....and make sure you are in class and focused every day.

2. Shadow. This is the best way you'll be able to know if medicine/nursing is for you. Shadow a doctor. and Shadow a nurse too. Try to make it in the same department. ED is probably the best way to differentiate the two because in this department they work very closely together. If your school has a college of nursing tell them your plight and I bet they will be able to give you some tips on how to shadow a nurse. Don't fall for the holier-than-thou attitudes on the pre-med forum here - both are excellent career paths, both afford critical thinking opportunities and excellent work environments, and both are extremely respectable.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Hi SDN, I've been lurking around these forums for a few months now. I think I've finally come to the point where I really could use some more practical advice outside of family and friends. To start off, I'm not currently enrolled a in "pre-med" program. I'm a second semester freshman looking to enter the medical field and I've done my fair share of research (Excluding shadowing or volunteer...). I belive I like the idea of being a doctor, and I've read about the good sides and the bad. Yet I still don't feel completely confident in my decision to dive right into a premed curriculum.

My concerns on this desiscion is,
-Can I handle the curriculum
(I've gained confidence in this after taking Bio101 and consistently getting high 90's on all tests and quizes including the labs. But is this a realistic indicator of ability?)
-Will I regret this decision as opposed to another medical field. Ex: Nursing

If anyone has any input on this I'd really appreciate anything and everything you can give me. Good or bad

Almost any person in college can get an A- average in first-year science classes with solid time management and strong work ethic. Handling the curriculum should not be an issue.

Lots of people hate their jobs and regret their career decision. This includes doctors and nurses. I think the primary consideration is whether you need to be the boss. If you don't need this, I would advocate another medical career field (PA, RN, etc).

As I have stated elsewhere, I think shadowing can be good, but offers a limited picture of the bad side of medicine. Few doctors are going to open up to some stranger premed about how medicine ruined their first two marriages, how much they loathe the pressure to see more patients, how much paperwork they actually do, etc even though these are the things that will ultimately determine whether you are happy. Some of them might paint a realistic picture, so probably still worth a shot.

 

[SOMBound13]

I'm not currently enrolled a in "pre-med" program

At most schools, you don't "enroll" in a premed program. You take the prereqs that are the same classes that many other STEM majors take. Bio, Gen Chem, OChem, Physics, etc. You don't need permission to do so. You just take them.

What is your major? If it's a STEM major, some of the req'ts will be the same.

 

[armybound]

Nobody can tell you if you can handle the curriculum. I can tell you that it's not as hard as you might think.

Whether or not you'd rather do nursing or something else is what you really have to figure out. Nobody can help you with that.