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changed plan any advice?
hello guys how y'all doing and guess whattt I changed my plan it turns out I want to make money after college so my plan is to become nurse first the make money go to medical school and become a doctor done what a short cut. anything you wanna add up?
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4 answers
Michael Cadra, MD, DMD, FACS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
43
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Redit, after looking at your previous post, it appears that you are really undecided on a career path that you can fully commit to. Your primary motivation appears to be money.. If that is true, then becoming a physician is probably not your best choice. Your idea of making money to pay for medical school, and potentially avoid student loans, does appear attractive! Let's have a little reality check.
Medical school is very expensive, many students are coming out with close to $500K in debt, often with undergraduate loans included in this figure. Medical tuition is increasing at a rate above the average rate of inflation.
Assume that you do become a Registered Nurse, a noble profession of its own. You begin earning $120,000 a year after receiving a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. You have 5% annual increases in your salary. You contain your spending and save 20% of your after tax earnings, earning an average 6% return annually. Plugging those numbers into a financial calculator or "ChatGPT", you will see that it will take about 14 years to accumulate ~$500K. But there is inflation, correcting for inflation, it is closer to 19 years to accumulate funds to attend medical school without borrowing.
Assuming that you are 18 at HS graduation, receive your nursing license at age 22, you might be 38 years old when entering medical school. Still facing 4 years of medical school and 3-7 years of residency, depending on specialty. Granted there were several "mature" students in my class, including a couple with PhD's, one other dentist and one RN, We were definitely the outliers. The residency years are tough! Both physically and financially. When you consider that you will probably be working 80 hours a week for many of those years, your hourly wage is often times not much more than the Federal Minimum Wage. Much more difficult in your mid-30's to early 40's!
While the requirements in courses of study are similar in nursing and medicine, the nursing courses offered are often not of the rigorous nature of those that fill the prerequisites of medical school. In delaying study that does qualify, you may extend the time spent in undergraduate level courses, further delaying your licensure as a physician.
Following a Nursing Degree is NOT a short cut to becoming a physician!
Advice: Find a true passion without regard to compensation. There is a great book 'Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood" (1987) by Marsha Sinetar that I suggest that you read. It may help define what you are excited about doing for a career that could span 30-40 years or more.
Talk with your HS counselor, perhaps there is an instrument to identify your strengths and true interests.
Both Nurses and Physicians need excellent communication skills! From your two questions posed, I do not believe that you have the needed skills, yet.
"The best preparation for tomorrow is to do todays' work superbly well." Sir William Osler (physician) Concentrate on your studies now, perform to a level of excellence that shows that you are capable of becoming a physician.
Medical school is very expensive, many students are coming out with close to $500K in debt, often with undergraduate loans included in this figure. Medical tuition is increasing at a rate above the average rate of inflation.
Assume that you do become a Registered Nurse, a noble profession of its own. You begin earning $120,000 a year after receiving a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. You have 5% annual increases in your salary. You contain your spending and save 20% of your after tax earnings, earning an average 6% return annually. Plugging those numbers into a financial calculator or "ChatGPT", you will see that it will take about 14 years to accumulate ~$500K. But there is inflation, correcting for inflation, it is closer to 19 years to accumulate funds to attend medical school without borrowing.
Assuming that you are 18 at HS graduation, receive your nursing license at age 22, you might be 38 years old when entering medical school. Still facing 4 years of medical school and 3-7 years of residency, depending on specialty. Granted there were several "mature" students in my class, including a couple with PhD's, one other dentist and one RN, We were definitely the outliers. The residency years are tough! Both physically and financially. When you consider that you will probably be working 80 hours a week for many of those years, your hourly wage is often times not much more than the Federal Minimum Wage. Much more difficult in your mid-30's to early 40's!
While the requirements in courses of study are similar in nursing and medicine, the nursing courses offered are often not of the rigorous nature of those that fill the prerequisites of medical school. In delaying study that does qualify, you may extend the time spent in undergraduate level courses, further delaying your licensure as a physician.
Following a Nursing Degree is NOT a short cut to becoming a physician!
Advice: Find a true passion without regard to compensation. There is a great book 'Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood" (1987) by Marsha Sinetar that I suggest that you read. It may help define what you are excited about doing for a career that could span 30-40 years or more.
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Starting as a nurse provides valuable experience, a reliable income, and a deep understanding of patient care before entering medical school. This path helps you decide what type of doctor you want to be and what skills you'll need.
Remember, nursing school requires a significant commitment, and different specialties may vary in duration and salary, so choose what suits you best. Balancing nursing work with med school preparation can be tough, so planning ahead is important.
Getting involved in volunteering, shadowing doctors, and networking while working as a nurse can ease your med school application process and boost your confidence. This practical approach can lead to great success.
Remember, nursing school requires a significant commitment, and different specialties may vary in duration and salary, so choose what suits you best. Balancing nursing work with med school preparation can be tough, so planning ahead is important.
Getting involved in volunteering, shadowing doctors, and networking while working as a nurse can ease your med school application process and boost your confidence. This practical approach can lead to great success.
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
563
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Redit, I appreciate your enthusiasm. While my background is in engineering, supply chain, and business consulting and not the medical field; I can relate to building a career in stages, as I followed a similar path. I began with an engineering degree, gained work experience, then pursued a master's in engineering management, worked again, and later completed an MBA. Your plan to become a nurse first, earn income, and then attend medical school is a practical approach. Gaining clinical experience will strengthen your med school application and help you become a better doctor. I recommend researching medical school prerequisites early and completing some during your nursing degree to avoid backtracking. Also, consider scholarships, fellowships, and employer tuition assistance to help manage the financial aspects, as these resources were valuable in my own education. Remember, nursing itself is a rewarding career, and you might find a specialty you enjoy or consider becoming a nurse practitioner. Having a plan and staying flexible are important, so keep up the good work!
Laura Bankston
2
Answers
Harrogate, Tennessee
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Redit,
I was the same way. After college, I got my EMT certification and earned $17 an hour at my local service. This allowed me to study for the MCAT and improve my resume. Then, I pursued my AEMT, which boosted my education and pay. I intended to get my paramedic certification, but I got accepted into medical school first. If your college schedule permits, consider taking night classes to become an EMT and work on a truck while studying for the MCAT. Taking a year off before applying to medical school is also a good idea. Additionally, think about getting a master's degree before medical school. Highly recommend it.
I was the same way. After college, I got my EMT certification and earned $17 an hour at my local service. This allowed me to study for the MCAT and improve my resume. Then, I pursued my AEMT, which boosted my education and pay. I intended to get my paramedic certification, but I got accepted into medical school first. If your college schedule permits, consider taking night classes to become an EMT and work on a truck while studying for the MCAT. Taking a year off before applying to medical school is also a good idea. Additionally, think about getting a master's degree before medical school. Highly recommend it.
Thank you for the advice.
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