4 answers
Asked
1004 views
Can I become a nurse while studying to be a pediatrician?
I just want to start working on something that is related to what I want to be so that i get used to it.
Login to comment
4 answers
Todd Shilling, PhD, NRP
Paramedic, Safety/HSE, Graduate education
5
Answers
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Updated
Todd’s Answer
Just doesn't make much sense to try and do both. In reality, if wanting to be a pediatrician, you could work as a hospital tech or something of similar capacity, or EMT, while completing you undergraduate work. This would give you patient and medical exposure as well as a paycheck, and a nice addition to help stand out on your med school applications.
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
Hi Katherine,
Both nursing school and med school (even pre-med) are full time jobs so doing them simultaneously would be nearly impossible. Med school is particularly time-consuming and doesn’t allow for much outside of studying for exams and preparing for clinical rotations. Many programs build clinical experience in earlier than in the past so you will be getting experience as you go. If your goal is to gain additional exposure while you study, many med schools have interest groups that foster shadowing opportunities.
Hope this was helpful.
Pam
Both nursing school and med school (even pre-med) are full time jobs so doing them simultaneously would be nearly impossible. Med school is particularly time-consuming and doesn’t allow for much outside of studying for exams and preparing for clinical rotations. Many programs build clinical experience in earlier than in the past so you will be getting experience as you go. If your goal is to gain additional exposure while you study, many med schools have interest groups that foster shadowing opportunities.
Hope this was helpful.
Pam
Updated
Samara’s Answer
Most people in medical school find it nearly impossible to do anything other than being in class and studying. I know I had difficult time even finding time to get out to exercise.
I think you would have an exceedingly difficult time trying to manage even a part-time nursing position while completing a medical school curriculum.
Being a nurse is a wonderful calling, and we definitely need more pediatric nurses. However, if your goal is to become a pediatric physician, you will get there fastest and most easily by focusing on getting through the education, testing, and training required.
I would do alot of exploring of both these career choices and see which one suits you best, and pursue that fully.
I think you would have an exceedingly difficult time trying to manage even a part-time nursing position while completing a medical school curriculum.
Being a nurse is a wonderful calling, and we definitely need more pediatric nurses. However, if your goal is to become a pediatric physician, you will get there fastest and most easily by focusing on getting through the education, testing, and training required.
I would do alot of exploring of both these career choices and see which one suits you best, and pursue that fully.
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Yes alot of nurse hours are flexible. You should have time to do both in pre-med. But medical school is intensive and would require your focus on that only.