Should I switch from pre-med to nursing?

[Zynapze]

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Hello, all. I am currently a freshman pre-medical student, and i am interested in a career in anesthesiology. I am finishing out my first semester strongly, and I predict all A's once grades are posted (I know for certain I will be getting A's in Gen Chem I and Bio I). Only problem is...I am having second thoughts about a career in medicine, specifically anesthesiology, for three main reasons. If there are any attending/resident anesthesiologists out there, please tell me if my reasons justify switching to a nursing major to pursue a career as a CRNA.

Reason why I am may want to avoid a career in medicine:
1. Residency looks awful. I think it would be nice to be able to start a family in my 20's and spend quality time with them. I also get burned out somewhat easy, and it seems residency could do that to me.
2. ACA. Enough said?
3. I have heard things about how anesthesiologists will not be needed because it is now more economically viable for hospitals to hire CRNA's instead of MD's, especially if you consider how quickly CRNA's and other ARNP's are gaining practicing power.

I am not worried about making money. I would be fine making 100,000 a year. But I am worried about having autonomy. Obviously the MD will have more than the CRNA, but the CRNA still has ample amounts. Right?

Thanks you in advance for your responses 🙂

 

[darkjedi]

If "ACA. Enough said?" is all you can say about the ACA, then you don't know enough about it.

People shouldn't have to convince you to do medicine, it should be a passion that you explore for yourself. It's not for everyone, and sometimes it's better to know early rather than later. The best way to know for sure is to shadow both professions and learn their day to day.

Some areas of anesthesiology can be supplemented by CRNAs, but anesthesiologists will always have a role in medicine, particularly in the critical care setting.

 

[Zynapze]

If "ACA. Enough said?" is all you can say about the ACA, then you don't know enough about it.

People shouldn't have to convince you to do medicine, it should be a passion that you explore for yourself. It's not for everyone, and sometimes it's better to know early rather than later. The best way to know for sure is to shadow both professions and learn their day to day.

Some areas of anesthesiology can be supplemented by CRNAs, but anesthesiologists will always have a role in medicine, particularly in the critical care setting.

Thank you for your reply.

What I meant in regards to ACA is that I would predict future docs will be doing more procedures at a lower reimbursement rate.

 

[I'm not a cat]

Thank you for your reply.

What I meant in regards to ACA is that I would predict future docs will be doing more procedures at a lower reimbursement rate.

Yes, drop premed. If money is a major concern, then switch to business while you still can. It's very annoying to hear baby premeds and physicians complain about the "low salaries" even though they're almost guaranteed to be greater than $150,000. Coming from a lower income family that sounds more than amazing to me. Many in society do not get that opportunity. Future physicians will still work hard, yes, but it doesn't not mean doctors must feel entitled to great sums of money.

With business, you can make all the money you want. Enough said. Sorry for the harsh tone. If you are passionate about working with patients, stick with premed. Otherwise, medicine may not be what you're looking for.

Medicaid is expanding in many states, more people will be covered by insurance, so yes, physicians will be reimbursed for less. However, the other side of that coin is those previously uninsured patients will now be able to have their procedure covered by Medicaid—any form of payment is better than no payment. Hospitals tend to favor Medicaid expansion. This means they will be able to receive payments from low income patients. Previously, these patients had to be written off as a loss. As for the private sector, that's a different story...

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Hello, all. I am currently a freshman pre-medical student, and i am interested in a career in anesthesiology. I am finishing out my first semester strongly, and I predict all A's once grades are posted (I know for certain I will be getting A's in Gen Chem I and Bio I). Only problem is...I am having second thoughts about a career in medicine, specifically anesthesiology, for three main reasons. If there are any attending/resident anesthesiologists out there, please tell me if my reasons justify switching to a nursing major to pursue a career as a CRNA.

Reason why I am may want to avoid a career in medicine:
1. Residency looks awful. I think it would be nice to be able to start a family in my 20's and spend quality time with them. I also get burned out somewhat easy, and it seems residency could do that to me.
2. ACA. Enough said?
3. I have heard things about how anesthesiologists will not be needed because it is now more economically viable for hospitals to hire CRNA's instead of MD's, especially if you consider how quickly CRNA's and other ARNP's are gaining practicing power.

I am not worried about making money. I would be fine making 100,000 a year. But I am worried about having autonomy. Obviously the MD will have more than the CRNA, but the CRNA still has ample amounts. Right?

Thanks you in advance for your responses 🙂

This post makes so much sense, since you think that you will become an anesthesiologist 100% when you're still 7-8 years from even getting there.

Why don't you first focus on shadowing? Baby steps.

 

[Zynapze]

Yes, drop premed. If money is a major concern, then switch to business while you still can. It's very annoying to hear baby premeds and physicians complain about the "low salaries" even though they're almost guaranteed to be greater than $150,000. Coming from a lower income family that sounds more than amazing to me. Many in society do not get that opportunity. Future physicians will still work hard, yes, but it doesn't not mean doctors must feel entitled to great sums of money.

With business, you can make all the money you want. Enough said. Sorry for the harsh tone. If you are passionate about working with patients, stick with premed. Otherwise, medicine may not be what you're looking for.

Medicaid is expanding in many states, more people will be covered by insurance, so yes, physicians will be reimbursed for less. However, the other side of that coin is those previously uninsured patients will now be able to have their procedure covered by Medicaid—any form of payment is better than no payment. Hospitals tend to favor Medicaid expansion. This means they will be able to receive payments from low income patients. Previously, these patients had to be written off as a loss. As for the private sector, that's a different story...

Thank you very much for your reply! But as I said in my post, "I am not worried about making money. I would be fine making 100,000 a year". What I meant is that if I wasn't going to be making too much, I wonder if it would worth to save 4-5 years and become a CRNA, and still make 150,000/year.

 

[I'm not a cat]

Thank you very much for your reply! But as I said in my post, "I am not worried about making money. I would be fine making 100,000 a year". What I meant is that if I wasn't going to be making too much, I wonder if it would worth to save 4-5 years and become a CRNA, and still make 150,000/year.

Sorry, I read the comment about the ACA and misjudged you too soon!

Anyway, the decision about autonomy is quite interesting. CRNAs, for the most part, are very autonomous. I have several friends who have mothers that are CRNAs. The field is great, but also remember there is much more to medicine than just anesthesiology. Do some shadowing of anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and if you can different types of physicians. At the moment, you are on track to being a great candidate for medical school—don't underestimate how passionate you may be about other fields!

 

[Holmwood]

Why do you have to pigeonhole yourself into anesthesiology when you can do ANY specialty as a PA.

 

[circulus vitios]

If I could go back in time, I'd have done BSN + CRNA, or PA. I'm only a first semester stupid so I'm still strongly considering doing this. Med school sucks, a lot. Pulling 70 hour weeks on salary sucks. Not beginning your adult life until your 30s sucks. Don't go to med school.

 

[The Buff OP]

If I could go back in time, I'd have done BSN + CRNA, or PA. I'm only a first semester stupid so I'm still strongly considering doing this. Med school sucks, a lot. Pulling 70 hour weeks on salary sucks. Not beginning your adult life until your 30s sucks. Don't go to med school.

Beta Alert!

 

[circulus vitios]

Beta Alert!

Not being miserable is more important than feeding my ego.

 

[The Buff OP]

Not being miserable is more important than feeding my ego.

I'm going the non-trad way. Live my life first then apply to medical school. As an Alpha I will tough it out with all the negatives/stress that the career of medicine comes along with at times. For the people that can't see themselves doing anything else but being a physician and they know the struggles they should stick to it, for those who have buts about it, they should look into other careers. 👍

 

[Nephthys]

If I could go back in time, I'd have done BSN + CRNA, or PA. I'm only a first semester stupid so I'm still strongly considering doing this. Med school sucks, a lot. Pulling 70 hour weeks on salary sucks. Not beginning your adult life until your 30s sucks. Don't go to med school.

One of my good friends from nursing school withdrew in her second year of medical school and did an accelerated BSN track. She told me that it was the best decision of her life. That may not be what is best for you, but she was really (and I mean really) happy in nursing school. I'm not saying at all that you should do it because I don't know you and it's such a personal decision, I'm just throwing in a little bit of perspective and encouragement when I can.

 

[FCMike11]

Meh. You have no idea that you want to work in an OR. I am a nurse, I have plenty of friends who see $$$ and the route to crna as the easy way. We don't need another one. Find out if you even want to be in healthcare before you become an RN as a stepping stone.

 

[Annabell Lee]

Don't go to nursing school if you wouldn't be interested in being a nurse. Not a nurse anesthetist, a nurse. You have to work as an RN before becoming a CRNA anyways. Nursing school will drive you crazy if you have to spend those four years to get your RN learning about stuff that doesn't interest you.

 

[darkjedi]

If I could go back in time, I'd have done BSN + CRNA, or PA. I'm only a first semester stupid so I'm still strongly considering doing this. Med school sucks, a lot. Pulling 70 hour weeks on salary sucks. Not beginning your adult life until your 30s sucks. Don't go to med school.

if you're really that miserable first semester I'm really not sure why you're still in med school. It only gets harder from there.

 

[circulus vitios]

if you're really that miserable first semester I'm really not sure why you're still in med school. It only gets harder from there.

Paid for tuition up through the end of the semester.

 

[jb94mg]

I'm going the non-trad way. Live my life first then apply to medical school. As an Alpha I will tough it out with all the negatives/stress that the career of medicine comes along with at times. For the people that can't see themselves doing anything else but being a physician and they know the struggles they should stick to it, for those who have buts about it, they should look into other careers. 👍

I think there's something to be said for getting your 'immature' desires out of the way in your younger years. No one wants to be the next Anthony Weiner. If you don't mind my asking, at what age do you plan on starting medical school?

 

[darkjedi]

Paid for tuition up through the end of the semester.

Most institutions will refund a prorated portion of your tuition.

 

[The Buff OP]

I think there's something to be said for getting your 'immature' desires out of the way in your younger years. No one wants to be the next Anthony Weiner. If you don't mind my asking, at what age do you plan on starting medical school?

Late 20s.

 

[DermViser]

Hello, all. I am currently a freshman pre-medical student, and i am interested in a career in anesthesiology. I am finishing out my first semester strongly, and I predict all A's once grades are posted (I know for certain I will be getting A's in Gen Chem I and Bio I). Only problem is...I am having second thoughts about a career in medicine, specifically anesthesiology, for three main reasons. If there are any attending/resident anesthesiologists out there, please tell me if my reasons justify switching to a nursing major to pursue a career as a CRNA.

Reason why I am may want to avoid a career in medicine:
1. Residency looks awful. I think it would be nice to be able to start a family in my 20's and spend quality time with them. I also get burned out somewhat easy, and it seems residency could do that to me.
2. ACA. Enough said?
3. I have heard things about how anesthesiologists will not be needed because it is now more economically viable for hospitals to hire CRNA's instead of MD's, especially if you consider how quickly CRNA's and other ARNP's are gaining practicing power.

I am not worried about making money. I would be fine making 100,000 a year. But I am worried about having autonomy. Obviously the MD will have more than the CRNA, but the CRNA still has ample amounts. Right?

Thanks you in advance for your responses 🙂

Based on what you have said so far - CRNA.

 

[MI3PEO]

As a prior nursing student I will say one thing. If you like the science behind healthcare and genuinely want to know "why" and "how," nursing is not for you. I hated nursing. I wanted to use it as a financial stepping stone to be able to have some money before applying to medschool; that was a huge mistake. Its not "easy", either. If youre struggling in pre-reqs, dont expect to do well in nursing. More than half of my class failed out. That was before I even switched majors about half a year into it.