To choose nursing over medicine?

[nurseormedicine]

I'm really conflicted. I have a degree and master's in Biology (first class and distinction). I've been working in pharmaceutical sales but haven't enjoyed it, and want a patient-facing role in the NHS. I've always had medicine at the back of my mind since I was at school, but never seriously considered it as I thought I wasn't clever enough and outgoing enough.

I've applied for a nursing degree and I have some interviews lined up. I like the idea of being a nurse and the routine and consistency of it, being able to specialise in a particular area and having better work-life balance both during training and after qualifying compared with medicine.

However, I'm wondering if I'll regret doing nursing instead of trying for medicine. I think I would find medicine more intellectually-stimulating as I love the problem solving aspect of it, and really enjoyed studying pathology and physiology at university. However, it's so competitive to get into and such a demanding degree, I've already had 4 years at university and I'm not sure if I can sustain the level of motivation and determination needed to study medicine. That said, I do find it very interesting.

I'm also not convinced I'd get a place to study graduate-entry medicine. It's so competitive.

I've considered Physicians Associate but I can't afford the fees as the NHS don't fund it and there's no access to student finance for me as I have already taken out a student loan and master's loan.

I did post about this before and received some really helpful advice, but just wanted to get some more opinions now that I've applied to nursing and got interviews. I feel so stressed out and unsure with what path to go down.

you could consider physiotherapy? You diagnose for yourself and have autonomy on the treatments you choose. You can also choose a career path that allows you to inject (for orthopaedic problems) and/or prescribe. Although nurse practitioners can do this too I believe.

The work/life balance is better than either doctors or nurses too.

https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/stp/applicants/stp-specialisms/
I did this programme and am now in a patient facing role. It's 3 years paid at band 6 work place training with a fully funded masters. Band 7 when you qualify. Lots of opportunity to progress once you qualify. There are loads of different roles. Some are lab based and some are patient facing. Lots of different ways to work in healthcare!

It sounds like you want to be a doctor.

Nursing is a very different profession. Don't become a nurse because you think it is a "doctor-lite" because it isn't.

You won't be happy, and you won't be a good nurse.

Have you considered dentistry? The post grad dental course offered by several universities is only 4 years long rather than 5. There's a good work/life balance. You are hands on ( NHS mostly in early years at least),, plenty of problem solving and you'd have your pick of jobs once qualified

Most doctors are up in arms about this. It’s quite frankly terrifying. When anaesthesia and airway problems occur you have seconds to act. It’s one of the most complex branches of medicine! I’m a doctor, I work with anaesthetists and there is no way I would let an anaesthesia associate (not a doctor) anaesthetise me or my family.

Another one here suggesting Physiotherapy… so many different avenues to persue… and problem solving a plenty…

Go into nursing. If you're a career driven individual there are routes to highly challenging and high earning roles. I know nurses who earn more than doctors and are equally well qualified as them too, it just depends on how you manage your career path.

I'm a nurse of over 30 years

In that time I've always earned more than a Dr

I'm now an ANP , a non medical prescriber , a Professional Nurse Advocate and love my job

It's not been easy , neither is medicine but I was never encouraged as a teen to go that extra mile

Either would be great for you if driven

I'm surprised at the number of suggestions of physiotherapist. My thoughts would never have made the leap from doctor to physio.

I'm an Advanced Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner. I love it. I'd never wanted to study medicine because of the ridiculous training, no support as a very junior doctor and not much say at all in where you live.

I loved nursing but like you also loved problem solving and physiology. This route is the best of both worlds. I had a lot of experience in ICU and trauma nursing before I started which helps. Now I work between the ICU and A&E. It's hard work but you're much more supported than junior doctors.

Nor mine. I may have thought OT but not physio.

I'm an NHS consultant. It isn't great at the moment, but it's just as bad (if not worse) for nurses. I think you really need to think about what you want to do because nursing and medicine are fundamentally different. Yes, if you do nursing you can go for an ANP role eventually, but it may take time.

I think you just have to go for whichever one you want to do the most - don't compromise on doing nursing if you really want to do medicine, but if you think you would be happy doing nursing, then do that

Have you considered becoming a Pharmacist?

PA is also a good choice and we have a really good one in our department, but the real limiting factor is that PAs cannot currently prescribe, or request radiological investigations, which can be really frustrating (Mainly for the PA)

have you considered training to become a clinical pharmacist? I work in a hospital pharmacy department and the pharmacists work so closely with the patients and consultants, many have their own clinics which they run and prescribe medications for patients and support the wider area in our specialised area (mental health). All while working Monday - Friday 9-5 (ish). It’s so interesting learning about the science behind the medication, figuring out reactions between treatments and how best to approach each individual patient. It’s constant problem solving and a very fulfilling career with so many options. I think it would satisfy your curiosity more than nursing which requires a lot of patient care and long, hard hours that are incredibly challenging but in a much more emotional way.

My nephew plans to apply for medicine. It seems almost mandatory to have "work experience". Having watched f of m afar I can see the value of this from many angles - including it helped him decide he def did want to go down this route. As a PP suggested, you can also get an idea of other career paths.

Good luck.

Thank you all.

I have considered Pharmacy but as I already have a degree I can't receive student finance for it. My funding options are limited to nursing, graduate-entry medicine and the allied health professions.

I feel like there are two parts of me - one part wants to help others, is very caring and empathetic and good at communicating with a variety of people/ages/walks of lives. I've enjoyed working in a nursery and primary school, for example.

Then there's more of the analytical, scientific side of me. I love learning about pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of different treatments. I find it really satisfying seeing how it all fits together.

I think both nursing and medicine, whilst different roles, would both suit me albeit in different ways.

I think I'm going to try and get some work experience in a hospital, and try and get a job as a HCA or ward clerk or something.

I think you need to look more closely at the Allied Health Professions to see if there’s a better choice for you there. I wonder if orthotics might be a good option?

Did you look at radiography? Also free training and bursaries and you could use both analytical and empathetic skills

To those saying not physio… I think you may be thinking if the ‘traditional’ sports and muscle injury physios and those who are providing rehabilitation outside of the hospital. There are a whole breadth of respiratory and neurological physiotherapists who no one thinks of, working in acute situations, intensive care, where an in-depth knowledge of medical and surgical conditions is needed, providing assessment and treatment and problem solving to balance the restrictions of medications/ surgical interventions/ etc etc whilst maintaining lung function, and movement. Plenty of opportunities for specialising, extended scope working, additional skills such as prescribing, ultrasound scanning for lung diagnoses. You work as an autonomous practitioner… people refer to you, you assess and decide on the best treatment option. Degree is 3 years, Uni and placements… working hours are mostly 8-5, with occasional weekend working (generally one day a month) and an overnight on call (generally once a month). It’s not an easy job… by any stretch of the imagination…. Currently there is a shortage of physios… like all nhs professionals… there are also many opportunities to work outside of the traditional nhs…. But still for the nhs if that makes sense… E.g community work, specialist clinics etc. some work experience is great… most hospital physio departments provide open days too. Good luck with whatever you choose

If nursing were enough for your curiosity and ambition you wouldn't be here wondering about becoming a doctor. Go for medicine, if you don't get in at least you've tried.

Clinical perfusionist is another option, starts at band 7. Would fit well with your biology degree and scientific curiosity

@ALittleBitAlexa agree. Could you apply for the NHS bank and work as a CSW OP? You would get a real insite of the wards and A&E.

Im sorry, but I can't recommend nursing. What about Physio, OT or forgetton the exact role buy the SALT team?

A friend left nursing to train as a perfusionist, but then went on to train as a doctor. That’s what she really wanted to do but kept thinking she wouldn’t get in. You don’t know unless you try. @nurseormedicine

Occupational therapy would be the ideal profession for you then.