Hi all, I'm 22 and graduated from college this past Spring. I was pre-med all throughout college, although a little part of me had always worried about whether medicine was really a good fit for me because of my desire to have a big family and spend a decent amount of time at home raising kids. I've been back and forth between doctor and nurse practitioner for the past few years, and was frustrated that I couldn't confidently make a decision and decided to apply to medical school anyway. Yesterday I found out I was accepted. I'm so excited, but at the same time I really want to think this decision through and not jump into medical school just because it's right there in front of me. My concerns about medical school are I want to have several children when I'm older (after finishing residency), and be able to work part time for awhile at least while my kids are young (not sure what route I want to go but currently interested in peds). I'm worried that after I'm done residency around age 30 or so, I'll have so much debt from school that working part time and starting a family won't be very realistic. I think NP would be more flexible in regards to this, and schooling is not as long so I would be able to have kids earlier, but I know if I choose this path some little part of me will always wonder if I would have been more satisfied being a physician (and especially knowing I got this far). For any doctors/residents/med school students willing to respond, do you have any regrets about your decision? For any NPs, do you find your career just as exciting and rewarding as those of your physician co-workers? I'm a scribe so I work with docs, PAs, and NPs in the ER everyday, but nonetheless am having a hard time deciding. I feel like I won't REALLY know what a career as an NP or MD will be like until I'm there. And of course I feel silly trying to "plan" my future with when I want to get married, how many kids I want, etc., but I can't help thinking about it! Any advice or insight will be greatly appreciated!

Hi,
I thought about this as well. My mom is an NP, and loves it, but wishes she had become and MD because she does the same job in FP for less money and much less respect. Even though she is amazing, and smarter than I will ever be
Sometimes I wish I were an NP. Less debt. More options. A good friend of mine is an NP and has had jobs in 3 or 4 different specialties. I had a hard time deciding on a specialty, and would have liked this flexibility. But still I am proud to be a physician. It is a cool club!
I really don't think you can go wrong. I think that being an MD will help me with my career self actualization someday (I will never have to sit and wonder what if...), but NP is probably more family friendly, and still a tremendous accomplishment and a wonderful career.
Anyway, the grass is always greener on the other side....
Livana

ps- I just thought of this, but are you aware NP programs are moving toward doctoral level. There are even some residency programs sprouting up. This may help in your decision making...

duplicate thread. Closing.