Wondering if my plan is good...

[sweetcrabhoney]

Hi.

I'm stressed ... No other definition for it. In between changing diapers and writing novels for clients , I'm studying for three test ( 2 CLEP tests and California Real Estate Sale Agent Exam ) that I'll be taking the end of next month and now I'm wondering if the degree plan I've had since May isn't going to work.

My plan was to get bachelor's of biology degree and then go to a med school to get a masters in acupuncture. I have it planned nearly to the date BUT NOW... I'm wondering if changing my bachelor's of biology to associate's in nursing and get an RN is a better option... It's actually want my mother did before becoming an OBGYN.

The master's program only requires a 2 year degree , takes up to 60 CLEP credits and requires a number of science classes.

Again I'm stressed and maybe I'm over thinking things. I just really really really don't want to mess up.

What ya'll think?

[SuzanneD]

Hard to say. Maybe make a list of pros and cons. Maybe rearrange your dates a little to give your self some breathing room. Whatever you decide good luck.

[sweetcrabhoney]

Really helpful and great advice... thank you tons.

[clep3705]

You can go further in nursing than in acupuncture. Nursing tends to be a long road. ADN RN, then getting a BSN, then getting an MSN or DNP to be a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Depending on where you go to nursing school, you may be able to use CLEP for intro to psyc, lifespan psyc, intro to sociology, U.S. History 1, U.S. History 2 and College Composition. You'll need to take microbiology and two anatomy and physiology courses.

[sweetcrabhoney]

You can go further in nursing than in acupuncture. Nursing tends to be a long road. ADN RN, then getting a BSN, then getting an MSN or DNP to be a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Depending on where you go to nursing school, you may be able to use CLEP for intro to psyc, lifespan psyc, intro to psyc, U.S. History 1, U.S. History 2 and College Composition. You'll need to take microbiology and two anatomy and physiology courses.

A nurse can do a lot .... true .... but so can the field of Chinese medicine . It's also a specific medical field which promotes higher prices. My intent is to be a doctor ... and I don't think at this time I'd want to be a doctor in the nursing field but something more specific.

If I go from RN to BSN then I might be able to use some CLEP test. But the intent is to go from RN to Masters to Doctorate. Save tons of money skipping the BSN since I don't want that kind of RN job anyway.

Thanks for the test advice.

[cookderosa]

Hi.

I'm stressed ... No other definition for it. In between changing diapers and writing novels for clients , I'm studying for three test ( 2 CLEP tests and California Real Estate Sale Agent Exam ) that I'll be taking the end of next month and now I'm wondering if the degree plan I've had since May isn't going to work.

My plan was to get bachelor's of biology degree and then go to a med school to get a masters in acupuncture. I have it planned nearly to the date BUT NOW... I'm wondering if changing my bachelor's of biology to associate's in nursing and get an RN is a better option... It's actually want my mother did before becoming an OBGYN.

The master's program only requires a 2 year degree , takes up to 60 CLEP credits and requires a number of science classes.

Again I'm stressed and maybe I'm over thinking things. I just really really really don't want to mess up.

What ya'll think?

What I think is to shadow an MD. It's when you call them and tell them your name, that you're a prospective med student, and you essentially get to "shadow" them through a shift or two. Do this first. Second, I'd suggest shadowing a nurse practitioner (or whatever advanced practice area you're drawn to).

EDIT: before you say "but my mom is a doctor..." you should do this with a stranger. Strangers who don't know your mom would be best.

[clep3705]

If you consider asking an MD or DO to let you shadow, they don't consider acupuncture school to be medical school as you do. Shadowing is a good idea as long as everybody's expectations are aligned.

[sanantone]

There are ethical issues with calling yourself a doctor in a medical setting where patients expect doctors to be physicians (MD or DO). There might even be state laws on it. You will confuse people if you say you want to go to medical school when you really want to go to acupuncture school. Legally, nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs can do a lot more than acupuncturists. NPs, MDs, and DOs can have general practices or specialize. They can even specialize in complementary and alternative medicine. If by doctor you mean that you want to get a doctorate in nursing or Chinese medicine, then you should shadow a nurse practitioner or acupuncturist rather than an MD or DO.

[sweetcrabhoney]

I don't understand why it seems like I have to prove my choice is a valid good one though? Everyone has a dream ... why do I have to prove that my dream is worthy of dreaming about? I know I'm going to be judged different't because the DC title I want to get isn't something people respect and that's fine. But it's something I'm passionate about and focused on earning.

There are different forms of doctors. Tons of different forms.

For awhile I was considering chiropractic ; which has a unique title compared to MD or DC I only changed my mind because there is only one medical school in the San Francisco Bay area that was close to me.

And then my mother was an NP before she became a doctor. As a child she often said she wished she skipped the NP and went straight to med school instead. I would never shadow my mother's lead or my grandmother ( who was an RN even when she died )

They are med schools by the way. They are called TCM because they teach traditional Chinese medicine

I'm not calling myself a doctor yet , and it's considered an MD once I'm done. California law says I can be an L.a.c after a master's degree from one of the three colleges in this area.

The doctor of TCM in this area got his degrees in China ... so can't really follow his lead.

I'll see who I can shadow.

I have done a lot of research and continue to do research. At this point I'm stressed and worried that the start of my education will be wrong and I'd have to start over at some point. It's a fear I have because I do aim for perfection.

It might be best I just stick with my first plan -- degree in biology ...

Thank you for the advice.

[sanantone]

I don't understand why it seems like I have to prove my choice is a valid good one though? Everyone has a dream ... why do I have to prove that my dream is worthy of dreaming about? I know I'm going to be judged different't because the DC title I want to get isn't something people respect and that's fine. But it's something I'm passionate about and focused on earning.

There are different forms of doctors. Tons of different forms.

For awhile I was considering chiropractic ; which has a unique title compared to MD or DC I only changed my mind because there is only one medical school in the San Francisco Bay area that was close to me.

And then my mother was an NP before she became a doctor. As a child she often said she wished she skipped the NP and went straight to med school instead. I would never shadow my mother's lead or my grandmother ( who was an RN even when she died )

They are med schools by the way. They are called TCM because they teach traditional Chinese medicine

I'm not calling myself a doctor yet , and it's considered an MD once I'm done. California law says I can be an L.a.c after a master's degree from one of the three colleges in this area.

The doctor of TCM in this area got his degrees in China ... so can't really follow his lead.

I'll see who I can shadow.

I have done a lot of research and continue to do research. At this point I'm stressed and worried that the start of my education will be wrong and I'd have to start over at some point. It's a fear I have because I do aim for perfection.

It might be best I just stick with my first plan -- degree in biology ...

Thank you for the advice.

Anyone with a doctoral degree is a doctor. When I finish my PhD in criminal justice, I will be a doctor. I think it's important to know that being a doctor is not synonymous with being a primary healthcare provider. When you get into the medical field, patients expect doctors to be MDs, DOs, or psychologists. That is why some states have made it illegal for DNPs to call themselves doctors in certain settings. You cannot call yourself an MD without a doctor of medicine. You would also cause confusion by calling yourself a DC. A DC is a chiropractor. The doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine is a DAOM.

No one is saying that your path is invalid. You asked about whether or not you should go into nursing or acupuncture. So far, most people have the opinion that nursing is the better option. Sorry if the opinions are not what you wanted them to be. If you mention medical school to anyone inside or outside of the medical field, almost all people are going to assume that it's an MD or DO program. Nursing school is called nursing school. Acupuncture school is called acupuncture school.