To think that I'm not 'too clever to be a nurse'?

[namechangee55]

After wanting to work in healthcare since I was a teenager I decided to finally take the plunge and apply to study paediatric nursing. I've told a few friends and family and whilst some have been supportive, a few have said that I'm 'too clever' to be a nurse and I should pursue medicine instead. It's kind of tarnished the excitement I feel about starting my course... I strongly disagree with them, and think nursing is a better option for me. I don't want to spend years studying medicine, and think nursing will provide a better work-life balance.

I do already have a degree Biomedical Sciences which I got a first in, and I have science a-levels (A*AB). But graduate-entry medicine is so highly competitive I don't think I'd stand a chance anyway.

I think I can still make a difference to patients' lives as a paediatric nurse and can still work my way up and have a fulfilling career.

AIBU to hate the idea that nursing is not as good an option as medicine?

Nothing wrong with nursing, as others have pointed out there's lots of flexibility in the job.

It depends on what you actually want to do. Nursing involves a lot of patient care - actual care - washing, bathing , dressings and if you specialise then you work at a higher level but still looking after and treating patients. Doctors also do actual care but more ordering things and arranging investigations along with other health care professionals. Both are careers that help people and are vocations as well as careers. I am a nurse and find the caring for patients immensely rewarding. I have chosen not to progress up the career path because I love looking after people, helping them and making them as comfortable as possible but you can progress to very high levels as a nurse but usually means lots of meetings and management things. Don't be talked into things by other people. Think of why you want to be a paediatric nurse and why you would want to do medicine.

For those who asked, no I've never applied for medicine before. It has been a dream of mine, but I feel like I don't have the ability for it so have never seriously considered it.

Then there is your answer and justification for why your family and friends, who presumably know that, are asking why you aren't applying to read medicine.

If it's what you dreamed of, give it a go. Believe in yourself.

They sound like a group of bitches and absolutely NOT the norm. Where I work, the HCAs and nurses all work as part of a team, and respect and value each other. They are colleagues and friends. Nights out together, having fun and propping each other up through tough shifts.
I can’t relate at all to your sister and her friends’ views.

If medicine is your dream, this is the career for you. Don't let fear of failure stop you.

Being a paeds nurse is an incredibly fulfilling career path, however like others have said, the two roles are different. Both doctors and nurses work incredibly hard and are often overworked, understaffed and underpaid. You just have to follow your dream and live with no regrets.

Do all the research and homework now to find out what is involved regarding the recruitment process to get into medical school, and apply yourself fully. If you fail, you can always try again. But at least you tried.

I do think there is now a “why be a nurse when you could be a doctor” attitude which has led to the nursing profession being devalued.

You can be nosey, lol, it’s the other way round I went back into education and then did nursing as a mature student.

I’m a dr. Entirely different roles and not really comparable. If you’re great at one the other isn’t for you. There really isn’t much overlap.

If you don’t want to do the study (the degree is. nothing compared to the training for a decade+ after it) that’s the end of the matter. But if medicine is your dream - pursue it. Yeah it’s hard, it’s hard to get into, and through, and my job is fucking hard. Those people you know who failed to get in failed the easiest bit tbh. I’m entirely clinically responsible for the sickest people in the hospital; the buck stops with me. I’ve never worked a 40 hr week in my life.

Everything worth doing is hard.

Can I be cheeky and ask why your leaving mh nursing

When was this, and which university?

There is not a single UK university that would admit someone for medicine with 3 Cs now. The vast majority of universities require at least AAA and often higher. There are a couple which might allow a B or two, but certainly not "high ranking" ones.

The OP is entirely right in saying that graduate entry medicine is fiercely competitive. That's not to say that she wouldn't get in if she tried - she might or she might not - but it's a perfectly reasonable decision not to if she doesn't really want to go through all of that.

And I don't think that nursing should be regarded as an inferior second choice in any case. It is a hugely important role with an immense potential for career development and progression. We need good people to go into nursing for its own sake and not for it to be regarded as something that is left over for the people who wanted to do medicine but couldn't.

I'm sorry that your family are being unsupportive, OP. It seems that they are clinging on to some rather outdated and misinformed perceptions about nursing. Of course you aren't too clever to go for that if it is what you really want to do... and I'm sure that you will find that there are plenty of other very clever nurses on your course as well. Good luck with it!

Nursing certainly has lots of opportunities and I know a lot of amazingly academic nurses who have progressed into advanced roles. Diagnosing, prescribing, etc.

one thing to consider though is that while yes you can make a difference a lot of nurses are frustrated and burnt out due to feeling that they can’t make a difference due to staffing. This might be a bit better in paeds I don’t know.

but ultimately if medicine is your dream you must apply for GEM. Someone has to get in. Don’t be put off by being scared of rejection.

You really should try to get some experience of working on a ward before deciding. Being smart can be frustrating as a nurse (at band 5 anyway) because you'll spend most of your time being dismissed by 23-year-old doctors who think they are the dog's bollocks. Then if your long-serving colleagues catch wind that you have any ambition they'll make your life hell.

Only be a nurse if you want to be a nurse. Don't go into it because you couldn't get into medicine. It is not the "next best thing". Pharmacology might be a better fit if you want science. Paramedical science if you want hands on medical-ish.

I got told this as a teenager about to do A-levels when I said I wanted to be a nurse.

Not currently a nurse as I actually left my degree at 18 after 1 term as I found it hard mentally but will go back one day when my children are older.

Nursing is a very highly skilled job and I actually think anyone saying that has no idea!

The being too clever for nursing trope has much to do with it being a female dominated profession and therefore nursing is just an extension of our feminine nurturing skills.

There's also the tiresome discussion around whether it requires degree level education at all because see above. This is generally from those who don't understand the depth and breadth of the current job or from older nurses who have a gazillion years of experience gained during the times that the NHS wasn't broken and medical interventions/care less complex

Now more than ever we need clever and critical nurses

There are career paths for bright and motivated nurses that involve them being very specialised and highly qualified. Advanced Nurse Practitioners have very medically based roles.

I was similar in that I wanted to be a midwife. I was told as a teenager I was too clever for this and should do medicine. I didn't get into medical school with my subjects/grades and ended up being a bit of a mess for a while before I eventually went to university to do something else. I now work in the NHS in a non-medical role and I'm glad at how my life has turned out but still find midwifery fascinating.

Now more than ever we need clever and critical nurses

So true!

How about a Physician's Associate OP? I know it's a new thing in the UK but they seem to be popping up in primary care now.

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/physician-associate

Most of the courses are two year Masters, and a bioscience UG seems to be the preferred entry qualification.

If you scroll down on that link, there's a course search and then a job vacancy search. There are definitely jobs.

The only issue with physicians associate courses is the lack of career pathway once qualified. PAs can’t prescribe in the UK which is a limitation.

Hmmm, what a strange observation! Bet your popular 🙄

If biomedical sciences was a good fit for you and medicine is your dream, it’s difficult to imagine that nursing will also be a good enough fit to get you through the tough times.
I would suggest you fully explore the medical field if you are determined not to apply for medicine. There are a lot of very niche jobs opening up with the advancement of personalised medicine.

I’d caution against physicians associate. There’s next to no progression, or there wasn’t when I was offered a place and it’s the reason why I declined it. Spending 30 years working doing SHO grunt work did not appeal. Though I understand there’s scope to work in GP surgeries there’s limited positions for that. Plus are they able to prescribe yet? I know they were talking about it but if not you’d be better off being an advanced nurse practitioner as you can prescribe.

DS is about to qualify as a paediatric nurse, he never wanted to be a doctor (A-level results wouldn't have permitted it but it was never on his radar anyway). He likes the fact that he is able to build up more of a relationship with parents/carers and the patient whereas the doctors are so busy and responsible for so many patients they are permanently in a rush. He said he wouldn't be a doctor for any money and is in awe of how much they need to know and how much pressure they are under. However, a family friend who IS a hospital doctor said they feel the same way about nurses so when it works well it should be a symbiotic working relationship with both professions playing to their strengths.

You genuinely think you are more 'brainy' than AHPs who choose to remain clinical? Typical NHS manager!

Definitely be a PA, it'd take a doctor many years to outearn you ridiculously and you'll likely get treated between than a doctor as you don't need to rotate. You won't have to do pesky boring jobs like prescribing or ordering scans etc and with the dangerous level of scope creep going on you can pave your own way. Its only 2 years as well!