What did you say?

[Guest Silverbullet]

I feel like im starting too many topics here (average n00b symdrome) but I have another question.

 

One "mock interview" questiont that i've wrestled with how to answer is.

 

Why a doctor? Why not a nurse or something like that?

My answer seems to be somewhat concited

I have the ablity to be a doctor, doctors make more money, being a nurse is a sterotypical girl job...etc

 

The only good reason I have is that Canada NEED's doctors more than we need nurses and if I want to work in a rural area (which I think I do) it would be better if I was an MD.

 

What did you guys say when/if asked that question?

[Guest blinknoodle]

I realize the site is a bit crazy with all the temporary forums, but there is a forum specifically for medical school interviews. Try continuing with your thoughts onto existing threads.

 

I was going to suggest adding onto this thread except all the responses are gone..

 

My advice would be to be honest but after you have learned a bit more about what nursing entails (and nurse practitioners).

[Guest LK MD]

One of medicine's many attractions for me is the art (and challenge) of diagnosis. As a doctor you get to try to unravel a new story for every patient you see...kind of like CSI and those types of TV shows. You wouldn't get this same experience as a nurse.

 

My 2 cents,

 

LK

[Guest FrancophoneRN]

Just so you guys know, nurses CAN do all of what you mentionned. It's just that legally they're not allowed. But with experience, and a little effort they can all do it, sometimes even better than a doctor.

 

And Canada does need more nurses, just as much as MDs. And you will have no problem finding a job. And depending on where you go (up north, reserves, etc) and your training (nurse practioner), you will have more independance and money and skills.

 

I'm really sensitive about the whole nurses issues, can you tell?

[Guest clinicalchief]

I told them I didn't want to be a nurse because I wanted the autonomy of making decisions and developing tx plans. I am also keen on learning the science of medicine to a depth that nursing students do not get, which is why I also considered grad school.

 

Disclaimer: I am aware that nurses learn medical science, make decisions and work with physicians as part of a team on a regular basis.

 

cc

[Guest FrancophoneRN]

Okay, as for the depth of knowledge stuff, nurses get that too. Coz nurses have to know what the MD is doing, explain it to the patient and watch for mistakes, changes, etc. Any nurse worth her salt, and who practices safely, will have the same depth in knowledge as a doctor.

 

And, unless you’ve done both trainings, you can’t fairly compare the two.

 

I think that what attracts people to medicine over nursing is the money factor and the diffrerence in roles. It pays more and better than nursing. But you also get license to do more with your knowledge. You’re not limited. You CAN prescribe. You CAN do certain procedures. You get more responsibility, independence, and autonomy. And, again, the money and prestige is better. Let’s be honest.

 

I wanted a better quality of life and the freedom to be fully renumerated for my efforts and fulfillment of my potential. It’s what’s fair.

 

And that question pisses me off because it still gives the allusion that medicine is so much better that social worker, or nurse. The roles are different. And the only reason that the pay is different is because it nursing, social work, and teaching below university level were traditionally women’s jobs and so paid as such (when paid at all), and also traditionally a lower social class career.

 

Did anybody get ask why a doctor and not an engineer/day care worker/sanitation worker/fireman/video game developer ? Probably not…

 

I like the way the Sims have it (anybody play the Sims). You become a paramedic, then a nurse, then a doctor. I think that’s fair, but I’m biased.

[Guest rabbit]

I have read quite a few postings related to this topic. I agree with other replies that some of the reasons often cited for a desire to practice medicine are also true of nursing. When answering this question, it is important to think about what doctors and nurses actually do. I suspect admissions committees and interview panels will not be impressed with a poorly reasoned response such as "nursing is a girlie job" or "doctors make more money". In fact, I think (at least hope) that they try to select for mature candidates who have made attempts to understand the true nature of a medical career.

 

The best way to do this is to see it in action. I have worked in a hospital (with doctors and nurses) for the last 3 years. This afforded me with insight that was easy to convey in my interviews. Granted, this type of exposure is not the norm. But, there are many medical school hopefulls volunteering in our outpatient clinics. This gives them an opportunity to be part of the action, so to speak. They can observe many different health professionals and approach them with questions.

 

I imagine it is difficult to describe with some depth all the reasons for choosing medicine in the absence of any practical experience. In this case, only the things that are superficially exciting about medicine (salary, prestige) are apparent. However, these also don't occur in a vacuum. A well-reasoned, realistic response can make a tremendous impression in an interview setting.

[Guest satsumargirl]

Just so you guys know, nurses CAN do all of what you mentionned. It's just that legally they're not allowed.

 

I'm not sure I understand this statement. If a nurse or any other professional is not legally allowed to do something....then they CAN'T do it. Regardless of what that person thinks they are competent to do.

 

I think that stating an interest in being able to make a diagnosis is fair as a reason for wanting to pursue medicine over nsg or allied health.

 

I think when that question is asked in a med school interview it is an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate that they have an understanding of the role of physician. And it is a fair question if someone says they want to be a physician so they can help people....if that's your reason, then why not a teacher, a nurse an audiologist etc.? They just want to know that you understand the profession and yourself. And yes, I know someone who was asked why a physician and not an engineer.

 

The roles are different. And the only reason that the pay is different is because it nursing, social work, and teaching below university level were traditionally women’s jobs and so paid as such (when paid at all), and also traditionally a lower social class career.

 

I choose to disagree with this statement. MDs have a higher level of responsibility. And FrancophoneRN has already pointed this out.

You’re not limited. You CAN prescribe. You CAN do certain procedures. You get more responsibility, independence, and autonomy.

 

And besides, hopefully people on this board dont' actually gain their sense of self-worth from the size of their paycheque. And you can't compare the value of one profession vs another based on pay alone.

[Guest clinicalchief]

Okay, as for the depth of knowledge stuff, nurses get that too. Coz nurses have to know what the MD is doing, explain it to the patient and watch for mistakes, changes, etc. Any nurse worth her salt, and who practices safely, will have the same depth in knowledge as a doctor

 

 

Hopefully you noticed that I said "science of medicine" and not anything about interpersonal/social skills or abilities...I think most will agree that nursing school does not involve the same breadth of basic science and path than medical school does. Once you finish medical school, let us know if you still have the same amount and depth of knowledge as you did before you started

 

cc

[Guest peachy]

Any nurse worth her salt, and who practices safely, will have the same depth in knowledge as a doctor.

This was a really surprising statement to read - you believe that you won't learn anything new in medical school, already being a nurse? That nurses typically know enough to do the diagnosis and treatment that a doctor does? [i don't, personally, know anything about how much a nurse knows. I just find that surprising if I am interpreting what you wrote correctly, and would be interested in hearing more about what you mean!]

[Guest satsumargirl]

And, unless you’ve done both trainings, you can’t fairly compare the two.

 

Also interesting that having made this statement and having not completed medical school, you attempt to compare competency of an RN vs an MD and even imply that an RN has an equivalent depth of knowledge.

[Guest leviathan]

Any nurse worth her salt, and who practices safely, will have the same depth in knowledge as a doctor.

 

I think you'd have a very hard time convincing anyone of this....not that nurses aren't very knowledgeable professionals, but I don't believe you can compare a 4 year undergraduate RN degree to an intensive 6-10 year MD + resident education.

[Guest FrancophoneRN]

I'm not saying that I won't have anything new to learn. Or that nurses know everything.

 

When you start to work, you fall in your niche, and if you are competent and experienced, you will know just as much as the MD. And the MD will eventually know just as much as the seasoned nurse.

 

And who said that the starting MD knows more than the experienced nurse? A seasoned nurse will save your ass and teach you things, and will help (along with others) make you the competent, experienced, knowledgable care-giver that we will all become.

[Guest peachy]

I'm not saying that I won't have anything new to learn. Or that nurses know everything.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I really am curious as to what you are saying. Surely the nurse doesn't have the same kind of in-depth knowledge as the MD in the particular areas of diagnosis and pathophysiology?

 

I don't think that anyone would argue that, particularly as a student or junior doctor, we won't have tons to learn from nurses. I am quite certain that nurses will know millions of things that I won't as a med student. But if nurses generally 'have the same in-depth knowledge as doctors', then why do we spend longer training doctors? Why don't we just train nurses and have them do both roles?

[Guest FrancophoneRN]

Also, let's not compare value of one training over another. They are both valuable and precious in the end product of caring for others. They are different, and carry different names, and cost different.

 

It is also available to all through reading, discussion and experience. It is the legal aspect that sanction their practice that are different. I can learn (and even be required) to learn how to intubate, and do it properly. But legally, I can lose my license for doing so (even with proper training) in an emergency situation without a medical order or directive. I can acquire the same depth of learning through reading and clinical experience and observation (given the on the job opportunity) as an MD will. It may take longer, granted, but I have the chance to.

 

An MD will get the same chance to learn an RNs role and tasks and knowledge base through reading, clinical experience and observation. They will also consult experienced staff (nursing, fellows, whatever) to increase their knowledge base and gain experience.

 

I'm just sick of having nursing training and knowledge being downplayed and looked down upon. Maybe I'm just being sensitive, but I want to make it clear.

 

And for the record, I am not getting self-value (I don't remember how it was put, only that is was well-put) from a paycheck. I just want what's fair and what I am owed with what I will eventually know and practice. And I'm sure all of you want the same thing, in any setting.

[Guest peachy]

I'm just sick of having nursing training and knowledge being downplayed and looked down upon. Maybe I'm just being sensitive, but I want to make it clear.

I think you've made that point very clear. I certainly have great respect for nurses. But it seems to me that it's easier to respect both nurses and doctors if you respect that they have different training and different roles, rather than claiming that they have the same knowledge, and that nurses are doctors with restrictions placed on them.

 

It's just... you describe your job as a nurse as all the knowledge of a doctor but with a bunch of nonsensical restrictions on what you can do. To me, that doesn't inspir respect, rather it just makes nursing sound like an incredibly frustrating and unattractive profession! Not at all what I had thought before, but maybe that's just because I am naive about hospital environments.

[Guest Silverbullet]

I think she means that most nurses are just as capiable as doctors and while they have not been trained in many different things, they could do many of the things that are "doctors only".

 

While I think that many nurses are just as smart as some MD's (and some MD's are just idiots). I also believe there is much about being an MD that FrancaphoneRN might be overlooking. When your an experienced nurse in a hospital many things that doctors do all the time become second nature. However the catching of uncommon sicknesses, administoring of certin uncommon medications and diagnosis of symptoms that are not responding to conventional methods.

 

When something goes wrong, the MD who is in charge of that paitent is the one who has to answer for it, and unless the nurse was the one who disobeyed a direct order or request and did something totally unethical, they do not have to worry about that. (From what i'm aware of)

 

By the way my spelling is afwul because of a hearing problem that I have, it's not that i'm dumb (I always feel the need to explain that)

[Guest kupo]

I was asked a similar question in my recent interview, "Why choose medicine over another profession?". They didn't explicitly ask me why not be a nurse, but I think it was safe to say that's what they implied in the question. My advice when you answer:

 

1) Be honest.

 

2) Avoid making in-depth direct comparisons. I don't know about you guys, but I'm not offering up that kind of information unless they probe me for it. I'm not going to open a can of worms if I don't have to.

 

3) Focus on why medicine appeals to you and work from there. Try and avoid talking about what a nurse, or any other profession does unless specifically asked of you.

 

My answer (a rendition of it anyways cause i don't remember the exact words):

 

"To be honest, I have the utmost respect for all professions associated with health care. From doctors, to nurses, to even the administrators and cleaning staff, they all play a vital and unique role in providing as high quality, and most efficiently delivered health-care service that's possible. In that sense, no one profession is really better than the other.

 

I've chosen medicine because it offers unique challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities that I look forward to pursuing and being a part of. For example, one of the appeals of medicine is having the honor of directing the course of a patients life over the years, perhaps decades."

 

I ended my response there. And you know what? They didn't press me any further for answers. My response sounds general? Well, if they wanted me to be more specific, they just had to ask. I gave one example to let the interview panel know that I actually knew what I was talking about.

[Guest Jazz]

There probably is a fair bit of overlap between family practice and nursing. I don't think it's fair to say nurses have the same depth of knowledge as doctors. Just becasue they've seen something done or explain it to patients doesn't mean they can do it just as well. Most of us will become specialists, (that's what the percentages say, not putting down GPs here, I might even become one). Can a nurse perform surgeries as well as doctors? Read radiographs? Path slides? Plan radiation treatments? What about their knowledge of pharmacology? The list can go one forever, for over 50 specialties.

Of course nurses are invaluable, but it's not the same as medicine.

[Guest Lorae]

Sorry, but this topic is getting irritating. Perhaps I'm just a tad cranky :\

 

Nurses and doctors just shouldn't be compared. Their roles are extremely different, yet surprisingly similar.

 

Any skill that you say a nurse cannot, does not, probably doesnt, or shouldn't do - somewhere there is a nurse who does it.

 

A nurse can most definitely have the same depth of knowledge as a physician. Medicine isn't hard. We're not learning rocket science. It's the vastness and comprehensiveness that makes medicine hard. Nurses will never have the same depth of knowledge in a large number of areas... but you can bet that an experienced nurse in a specialized area has some pretty deep knowledge. Will it ever rival the sub-specialty physican?? No. But can they have a med student/residents understanding of a disease, yuppers.

 

Anyway, there's a million points I could make, but every time I sit down to type a response I just get grumpy.

 

As far as why medicine vs. nursing as an interview question? I'd say it's the same as engineering, anthropology, baking, teaching --- it's not what you want to do, you want to be a doctor and to compare them just isn't fair to either profession.

 

/rant