# Convince me to or not to become a doctor **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 13, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714 "2015-08-13T01:40:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/41 "2015-08-16T02:09:51Z")
Not to be mean but my first thought was hey, **Kimbosquee** let’s see ya get through nursing school first. Fully 50% of my starting class did not make it to the finish line. It’s a tough school. Everyone is an A student when they arrive, not everyone is when they graduate :). During nursing school you will get the opportunity to experience various nursing specialties and sometimes people are surprised by what lights up their hearts. That being said, I would advocate for RN followed by NP if you find you want more autonomy and decision making. Like **Whynot** , I am in home health and find I have a lot of independent decision making in re exactly how to treat the patient, docs generally rubberstamp the orders I write 99.9% of the time. (I’ll get a referral for a patient and it just says wound care. The doctor is expecting me to make a decision how best to heal the wound.) Another avenue you might investigate is [DO](http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-dos/what-is-a-do/Pages/default.aspx) several people I know who made the jump later in life went the DO route. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/42 "2015-08-16T16:05:42Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > He meant that almost nobody dies from regular ortho surgery. As in dead mean don’t sue. Their estates and/or relatives do however file lawsuits. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/43 "2015-08-17T00:42:12Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Would that non-compete agreement also apply to starting a Retro-Phrenology practice? There’s Modern Phrenology? Yeah, I looked it up because I assumed I was being whooshed. I was. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Neither should engineers. 😉 Bah! A good engineer is already a procedural thinker. Stuff goes together one damn thing after another. And object oriented–what do you think the things are? > [@Yllaria](#): > > Orthos have more regular hours and lose fewer patients. Be a forensic pathologist and you won’t lose ANY patients. Hours are standard 9-5 (7:30-3:30?), M-F because your patients are in no hurry, and few people seem likely to sue you. However, weighing the evidence in this thread I have concluded that RN/NP is, in general, the way to go. Better ROI and seems to be the way the industry is heading. But, knowing little about the topic, my opinion is pretty much worthless. ---
**Author:** ![Vaevictis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f04885/32.png) [@Vaevictis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaevictis)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/44 "2015-08-17T04:43:51Z")
Do not do it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/45 "2015-08-17T14:53:18Z")
> [@Vaevictis](#): > > Do not do it. That’s very convincing. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/46 "2015-08-17T14:55:44Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Their estates and/or relatives do however file lawsuits. In fact, next of kin are far _more_ likely to sue for malpractice than living patients. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/47 "2015-08-17T18:41:47Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Their estates and/or relatives do however file lawsuits. Apparently that happens more rarely. Or at least the BIL thought so. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/48 "2015-08-17T21:57:52Z")
Wrongful death is however “worth less” than wrongful ongoing pain and suffering. ---
**Author:** ![Kimbosquee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@Kimbosquee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimbosquee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/49 "2015-08-17T23:36:35Z")
> [@](#): > > If you want maximum street cred and flexibility, start with ER or ICU. Those nurses have their pick of jobs, in any specialty they care to try out, including things like travel nursing, with one exception I’ll mention in a moment. ER and ICU give you the widest range of experience in technical nursing skills, and they parlay well into OB and Med-Surg and all the rest. Thanks for the advice. Now I’m strongly considering heading into the ER first. My mother is an ICU nurse, so I’ll ask her what that’s like. I honestly have no interest in home health, and what you’ve said has made it even less appealing to me. It’s definitely not for me personally. > [@](#): > > If you want to go into OB you can become a certified nurse midwife. They basically do all the simple pregnancy care and uncomplicated deliveries but have the doctor to back them up in an emergency. They pretty much get similar pay to other advanced practice nurses (NPs, nurse anesthetists, etc). I would like a bit more flexibility with different specialties because I’m indecisive. I wasn’t planning on OB for life, but thanks for the suggestion. > [@](#): > > Another avenue you might investigate is DO I will look into that as well as NP. > [@](#): > > Orthos have more regular hours and lose fewer patients. > > When I asked my BIL the anesthesiologist what I should be checking out before knee surgery, he phrased it as “Good news. Orthos get sued all the time.” My sister translated. He meant that almost nobody dies from regular ortho surgery. As in dead mean don’t sue. Yeah, one thing that scares me about being an ortho is slipping and screwing up an actual person. Those surgeries look very tough, but it’s so fascinating. I appreciate everyone’s opinions and support so far. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/50 "2015-08-17T23:57:03Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Wrongful death is however “worth less” than wrongful ongoing pain and suffering. Often astonishingly so. A friend is a malpractice attorney. He spends a lot of time Explaining to people who lost their 99 year old grandpa that his remaining life doesn’t come out to much $$. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/51 "2015-08-18T00:49:53Z")
How do you malpractice on someone who’s 99? And how do you prove it? Yeah, I know. Belongs in another thread. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/52 "2015-08-18T01:24:32Z")
> [@Kimbosquee](#): > > I am currently in college working on a nursing degree. My childhood passion to become a doctor or surgeon has suddenly been resparked. It feels like I was meant to be one. The only reason I am going for nursing is because I thought I had no chance due to my apalling grades. Now that my ADHD has been under control, I am on a roll and will probably have a high GPA at some point. The medical field is extremely competitive. Half the doctors I know hate their jobs because they are overworked and overburdened with bureaucracy. Unless you like, LOVE people and their problems, you’d probably end up in the same category. But here’s a more likely scenario… start taking the chemistry prerequisites, and see how long you can keep your GPA high. If can make it through Organic II, you might have a shot. If you wash out of chem early, or if you’re not even willing to take the chance, then you know it’s not for you. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/53 "2015-08-18T11:23:31Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > How do you malpractice on someone who’s 99? And how do you prove it? > > Yeah, I know. Belongs in another thread. Dr Nick Bowel, abdominal surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/54 "2015-08-18T13:27:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > How do you malpractice on someone who’s 99? And how do you prove it? Without going into great detail, you generally prove malpractice (in any case) by showing that the physician (or other provider) failed to observe accepted practice parameters and treatment protocols. The fact that the patient is dead does not necessarily mean you committed malpractice. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/55 "2015-08-19T13:38:15Z")
I have a pharmacy degree, a medical degree and I’m a board certified surgeon. If I could have a do-over, I’d go back to pharmacy—I’d be much happier (for some of the reasons listed up-thread, and others). I’ve never encouraged my daughters to pursue a medical degree and I’m relieved neither has an interest in medicine. I’m not saying you can’t find a career in medicine rewarding, just make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you take the plunge. My 14yo wants to go to law school. I told her (only half in jest), _“I loathe attorneys, but I’ll make an exception in your case.”_ My youngest wants to be a dog groomer. She’s my good girl. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Toy\_varen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Toy\_varen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toy_varen)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/56 "2015-08-19T13:50:19Z")
I’m not a doctor, nurse, or anything related to medicine. My advice, reading about your situation, is that you enjoy what you are doing now, which is school. It’s very very different once you start working. My field is in education, and there are a lot of people who enjoy studying about teaching but actually teaching is a totally different story. My case was the opposite. I hated studying about teaching, but enjoyed doing it. What I mean is that studying about how to do something and actually doing it requires two different skill sets, temperaments, and personalities. My advice is finish this degree, then work in the field, full time for at least a year. After a year, reassess your passion vs the realities of the profession. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714/57 "2015-08-20T16:49:35Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > … > 3) Your past “appalling grades” never go away. Two years of straight As can dilute them but they still impact your total GPA. One C in a science class is able to be overcome with As from there on and kick-ass MCATs plus maybe something else about you that makes you special but if you have two … it is tough. Not impossible but an uphill climb. Most med schools average admitted total GPA is round 3.6 to 3.7 (plus minus depending on the school, some average 3.5, some 3.9) and not too different for science GPA. Of course less kick ass MCAT requires higher and more slightly less. … How do medical schools look at nontraditional students? Do their college grades count for a bit less depending on what you’ve been doing since then? If the OP is close to completing the nursing degree, s/he could finish it up, work for a couple of years as an RN, then start the med school application process. That gives her a chance to save up a bit, study up for the tests, and perhaps get recommendations from colleagues which might help turn the tide in her favor. I don’t know how practical it is to, say, work as an RN part time while also going to me school part time, but it’s another option that might reduce the debt load involved. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-or-not-to-become-a-doctor/727714.md?page=2)