Hey Everyone!!

I need some help...

Why did  you choose nursing over being a doctor or did you never even think about being a doctor?

I've done lots of volunteer work, I've been an NA and eventually went on and got my CNA so I've seen the pros and cons of the different professions in the medical field, and I'm getting ready to apply into my BSN program and trying to really make sure I'm making the right decision before I do apply. Ever since I was 9 I've wanted to go into the medical field, originally to be a doctor and help people who were just like my mom but as I got older family became a lot more important then the power of being a doctor. I want to know my patients personally and really be there for them and their families and that is what tears me up the most. I know nurses see their patients while they're at the hospital and never see them again (unless they are a frequent flier), but doctors have the potential for life long relationships (correct me if I'm wrong about this issue or if you have any added input) but at the same time family is extremely important to me. I've made my pros and cons list and they come out even.

I'm just curious why everyone here choose nursing over other medical field professions. Thanks, I know you all are always a ton of help.

This is a good question as I have gone back and fourth a few times about weather I wanted to be a MD or a RN. First and formost I really looked at what it is I really wanted to do and how much time did I want to invest before helping people. Kelly had a few reasons that were good chuckles to me but the best reason I think posted as "more time to spend with patients and their families". So often when you go to either the doctors office or a hospital you see a doctor for just a few minutes while the nursing staff you "spend time with". To me that is a huge factor.

Really why would I want to be a doctor is the better question I think. lol

Floridapete says ...

This is a good question as I have gone back and fourth a few times about weather I wanted to be a MD or a RN. First and formost I really looked at what it is I really wanted to do and how much time did I want to invest before helping people. Kelly had a few reasons that were good chuckles to me but the best reason I think posted as "more time to spend with patients and their families". So often when you go to either the doctors office or a hospital you see a doctor for just a few minutes while the nursing staff you "spend time with". To me that is a huge factor.

Really why would I want to be a doctor is the better question I think. lol

I've asked myself the same question, and I think what it comes down to for me is its hard to give up a dream you've had for 14 years. I was completely happy with my decision until my Anatomy professor came up to me (he use to be my pre-med advisor) and wanted to know why I switched and when I told him he said it wasn't a good enough reason, it then made me really start to think. Its bad when I start to over think things (which happens a lot with this particular issue). I know nursing is a very noble profession and I know I will be extremely happy being a nurse probably happier then I would be as a doctor (my end goal is to eventually become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practioner), but I think part of me feels as though I'm failing myself and my family. Then off course "Hollywood" makes being a doctor look so perfect and amazing even though that's hardly the case. I know I can be the best doctor or nurse as I set my mind too. But I once read that "a doctor may have an hour with a patient and spends the rest of their time creating a care plan and doing research, but the nurse is the one who does the caring" and I think that really opened my eyes and said it in a completely different way that I had never heard before and really helped me decide that nursing is the dream profession for me, I just have to stop peer pressure from getting to me.