Please help: Nursing vs. Life Sciences?

[Critical1]

First, to members who click on this thread, I want to say thank you very much for looking at this post!

I've posted a similar thread earlier but I realized that this section of the forum would still be the best option to talk about my concerns again.

I've been accepted into two programs at a Canadian university, Nursing and Life Sciences.

I love studying Science, which is the obvious reason why I applied for Life Sciences. However, as I get to know more about the degree better, I realized that the job prospects are very limited besides medicine, dentistry, optometry, et cetera. All of these graduate schools are, of course, competitive.

Therefore I am leaning towards Nursing. Based on what I've read in threads regarding the nursing as a "pre-med" major on this website, it's not favourable. The reasons why I would go into Nursing is that a) it's a back-up plan in case I don't get in med school b) a source of income (of course I'm not looking into buying a luxurious house but to at least support myself) c) I could work as a nurse for a few years and depending on my experience in working in healthcare, I could apply for medical school.

I know it's best to avoid nursing but looking at the job opportunities upon graduation of Life Sciences, nursing seems to be a good option....? 😕

I am aware that the prereqs are not easily met in the nursing curriculum...but as stated above, if I still want to go into medicine after working as a nurse, I could go back to school to complete science courses.

Right now, I would be happy with going into Nursing but in the following two minutes, I become worried and switch to Life Science (I still have to yet make my decision) immediately and be happy again. Then I start to freak out about the job aspect with regards to Life Scienes and change back to Nursing. I keep changing my career goals but nevertheless I know that I still want to be a physician.

I would really appreciate your advice. I know this is too early for me to even think about med school (I am still in high school) but I want to pick a good undergraduate degree with my goal of entering medical school at some point in my life. Thank you so much!

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[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Shadow physicians and nurses. Pick the one you like better.

Or:
1) pick nursing;
2) marry a doctor;
3) abide.

 

[dessimay]

I'd say you need to shadow a nurse and doctor to at least decide if either is something you're actually interested in.

I think the job prospects for nursing are decent depending on the region and where you're looking. Eventually you'll land a job somewhere and can work your way up to the specialty you like most.

I always see threads asking what's the best degree to get for med school and the general consensus is that it doesn't matter as long as you do well in your prereqs and mcat. However, it seems like nursing is the only one that is looked down upon. I'm not sure if this is just by other premeds or by actual adcoms but why should a bachelor of science in nursing be any different? You get exposure to the hospital and patients, a TON of patient contact, develop critical thinking and communication skills, a foundation to build on in pharm, patho, genetics and common treatments, and you'll probably gain more of an appreciation for nurses and be able to work better with them if you end up becoming a doc.

It seems like medicine has always liked well rounded individuals and their revamping of the new mcat only reinforces that. I feel like nursing school was a mix of science, clinical science and application, sociology, and psychology. Add those to your prereqs and other college classes and I'd think you're very well rounded.

Some downsides: I think most nursing schools have a set curriculum and it would be difficult/impossible to take prereqs once you're in the school (but that may vary). Some people say adcoms think you're using it as a backup plan and frown upon it... this makes very little sense to me. Even if it is a backup I still see no problem with it. Just ace your mcat/prereqs, apply for med school immediately or decide to work a few years and ace the mcat then. I have heard a few DO adcoms reply that they'd absolutely love someone with a nursing background.

Personally, I had no idea I was interested in medicine until I was near the end of nursing school. Now I'll be working for a few years, finish up some prereqs, and probably shoot for med school. This worked out for me because I'll be making decent money to help pay for school, continuing to build a strong clinical foundation, and I'm a much more mature candidate than I would've been had I been pre med all along.

I wouldn't take my post as advice though, just food for thought and a personal opinion.

 

[BABSstudent]

Shadow both a doctor and a nurse. Whichever one you love more, pick to pursue that.

Don't pick nursing and then go to medical school. The reason to not do this is that you take away a seat from someone else who would be happy to be a nurse their entire life.

Also, would you be content being a nurse your whole life? If you say yes, then pursue that. I have been told by many physicians that medical school and residency will suck financially, emotionally and physically. If you could have been happy with a career outside of being a doctor then you should pursue that career.

So go shadow some nurses and doctors and find out which you like more. If it is nursing then go to the nursing school. If it is medicine, pick the life science school.

 

[Critical1]

Thank you guys for replying.

I should have been more clear in my original post; I actually have shadowed both nurses and doctors in a previous job I had at a local hospital and to be frank, I liked both careers which is why I applied for a nursing school. Nursing is also a viable option for me.

But ultimately I would like to be a doctor. Many people around me told me that Life Sciences is useless because it doesn't get you a job right after graduation if you don't get in med school in the first attempt and that you need to go further in education to finally get a stable career.

Whereas in Nursing I can get a job in four years and to finally support myself at last. Due to financial issues that I do not want to discuss here, I promised myself that I will get a stable career after undergrad (not post-grad) to support myself without relying on anyone. Nursing can do that.

Due to financial issues, which is my primary motive for going into Nursing, I am thinking of going into this program, work for a few years and then decide whether or not I still want to be a doctor. Into the first year, if I really dislike the program, I can switch to Life Sciences for the second year. This allows me to try the opportunity of nursing first.

I know I will take a seat away from someone who truly wants to be a nurse, but maybe a few weeks after starting the nursing, I would actually like it! I honestly don't know so that's why I am going for the plan I talked above.

What do you think?

 

[BioBeaver]

Thank you guys for replying.

I should have been more clear in my original post; I actually have shadowed both nurses and doctors in a previous job I had at a local hospital and to be frank, I liked both careers which is why I applied for a nursing school. Nursing is also a viable option for me.

But ultimately I would like to be a doctor. Many people around me told me that Life Sciences is useless because it doesn't get you a job right after graduation if you don't get in med school in the first attempt and that you need to go further in education to finally get a stable career.

Whereas in Nursing I can get a job in four years and to finally support myself at last. Due to financial issues that I do not want to discuss here, I promised myself that I will get a stable career after undergrad (not post-grad) to support myself without relying on anyone. Nursing can do that.

Due to financial issues, which is my primary motive for going into Nursing, I am thinking of going into this program, work for a few years and then decide whether or not I still want to be a doctor. Into the first year, if I really dislike the program, I can switch to Life Sciences for the second year. This allows me to try the opportunity of nursing first.

I know I will take a seat away from someone who truly wants to be a nurse, but maybe a few weeks after starting the nursing, I would actually like it! I honestly don't know so that's why I am going for the plan I talked above.

What do you think?

It sounds like you're really having trouble believing in yourself and your abilities, when it comes to getting into Med School. Ever heard of a gap year? People take them all the time if they can't get into MS on their first try. The rule of thumb is, if you want to be a doctor, DON'T MAJOR IN NURSING.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=13627619&postcount=9

 

[Critical1]

It sounds like you're really having trouble believing in yourself and your abilities, when it comes to getting into Med School. Ever heard of a gap year? People take them all the time if they can't get into MS on their first try. The rule of thumb is, if you want to be a doctor, DON'T MAJOR IN NURSING.

It may seem that I'm doubting myself when it comes to medical school, but because of the financial issues, I'm forced to go for nursing to get myself out of the situation. I've heard of a gap year - I could try that...if I switch to Life Sciences from Nursing for the second year.

So it's really finances that's what is making this complicated.

Please excuse my very stupid question, but besides a gap year, what do medical applicants do to support themselves with money if they don't get in MS on the first try? Nursing is a way to do that but it's not a favorable option.