Doc's becoming nurses?

[Brewerpaul]

Hi all-- first time here. I'm curious if anyone knows of instances of Doctors going to nursing school. Reason I ask is that I've been a podiatrist for over 28 years, and last night ( at the ripe young age of 55 )I just started school to become an RN!!
I have a multitude of reasons-- rigors or running my own practice, insurance woes, patient cancellations at the whim of Mother Nature, increased local competition, etc. At this point I'd like to do my job, take a pay check and leave the heartaches behind for the weekend. The part of podiatry that I still LOVE is the actual patient care but it seems that every day I do less of that and more beaurocratic BS, for less and less pay ( eg Medicare just cut physician pay 4.4%).
Am I nuts to be doing this? :confused: It feels right to me, if I can get through it AND still keep my practice running for another year and a half. Thanks. Paul

[opus]

Yes, you are crazy, but I say if it feels right to you, do it. I say you're crazy because I can't imagine going back to school and starting a new career field at 55 years of age. Now is the time most of us want to slow down and drop out a little bit. It will be interesting to see how you feel a year or two from now, since your role as nurse will be very different than your role as a doctor has been.
You will find frustrations with this field also, but you are right, it is basically shift work (punch in, punch out, leave it behind, you are replacable with someone else) and the pay is very good.
Good luck to you. I admire you for your enthusiasm.

[Brewerpaul]

Yes, you are crazy, but I say if it feels right to you, do it. I say you're crazy because I can't imagine going back to school and starting a new career field at 55 years of age. Now is the time most of us want to slow down and drop out a little bit. .

What I'm thinking is that this WILL be dropping out in a sense since I will be removing myself from the toxic effects of running a medical practice: paying all the bills, payroll, government regs, always worrying about the bottom line. To only have to think about patient care will feel like a vacation!! Also, as I really start to want to cut back, I can do per diem or part time nursing, which I can't as a podiatrist. Finally, if my wife and I decide to move from upstate NY to sunnier climes, I'll have a portable profession so I can work part time.

[rubensssss]

I thougth that you were talking about doctors from other countries,because I am a doctor in Mexico, I become a LVN, now trying to pass the USMLE to become a doctor in this country.

I really don't understand why you would like to change from Podiatrist to an RN,is quite different, but if you are doing it for get into a new field that's great.Welcome to nursing field.[/B]

[medi]

Hi Paul,

NO, you haven't lost your mind or gone over the bend at all.. *grin* And, YES, I certainly have heard of physician's quitting practicing medicine and going to nursing school. (Sorry to tell you that you aren't the first *lol*)

I recently read about an OB/GYN who was fed up along the same lines you are and closed his practice, got his BSN degree and now is actually happy going to work each day.

It's understandable in today's healthcare climate!

US Doctors aren't the only ones doing it by any means either.....

The Phillipines National Institute of Health Policy and Development estimates as many as 3000 doctors are currently studying to become nurses in that country.

Let's face it, with the aging of the baby boomer generation and the world wide shortage of RN's, you'll always have your choice of work that appeals to you whereever you care to work...

Good luck

[Iris McKairin]

Awesome stuff! Thx SO MUCH Paul.

Iris McKairin
Writer
Nurses Lounge Magazine

[annlewbar]

Thats awesome. I have a coworker... chiropractor turned RN!

[nursinghumor]

Hmmm, I've heard of it but not very often.

Let me ask, are you burned out from running your own business? That is a very common thing, reason for leaving a career.

If it is patient care you enjoy (if you considering nursing I hope that is the case), I'd look into options where you can practice medicine without worrying about 24/7 call and the burdens of running your own business.

Aren't there temp/travel agencies that will let you work as an employee, doing what you love to do?

Seems to me that there are other options besides leaving medicine entirely.

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nurses' Views of The Nursing Profession
http://www.nursefriendly.com/views