Michele Said:

career in the medical field?

We Answered:

There is nothing wrong with starting as a nurse and then going on to earn your M.D. Several physicians I've known over the years had to work their butts off to pay for medical school, and that's how they did it: working as nurses until they earned that MD and obtained their license to practice medicine.
It can be a long process, though: I'd suggest starting pre-med instead of nursing if you can afford it. Oh - and you'd better bring that GPA up - WAY up - competition for admission to pre-med is murderous - and a gpa of only 88 isn't going to get it. If you're already a high school senior - well, you'd better settle for becoming a nurse and then going on for your Nurse Practitioner certification.
There are other licensed professions in health care that are as honorable and even more sorely needed than more physicians - nursing is one of them...as is that of Registered Respiratory Therapist, Registered x-ray Technologist, Physical Therapist - even Recreational Therapists are now valued members of the health care team.

Deanna Said:

What classes should I take in college to work towards a career in the medical field?

We Answered:

Shadow a PA, OT and an MD to and talk to them about their work. Find out the pros and cons of each.

The chemistry program shown below would be appropriate for someone planning to go to medical school. Med schools, PA programs, etc. have their own set of pre-professional coursework. You will have to look at their web sites or write for information or find a copy of the book Medical School Admission Requirements to find out what courses you need to take as an undergraduate.

Dr. Maurer in the Chemistry Department may be able to advise you. Also see if you can get advice at the Student Doctor forums.

Daryl Said:

Options for a career in the Medical Field?

We Answered:

Well, without knowing what your "past experiences" were that turned you off to vet med it's hard to help.
The biggest thing that will help you decide is to talk to people in these professions. Spend some time in a vet's office, doctor's office, dentist's office, etc. At the very least ask some of these people if they would take the time to talk to you about their jobs. Getting experience in the field is a good way to decide if it's for you. I can tell you that every medical profession has some degree of stress. At the very least the school for any of them is extremely intense and stressful.
Keep in mind the "non-doctor" professions such as nursing, vet tech, physician assistant, etc. These are going to require less schooling and will be more care-based (meaning more one-on-one with patients).

Martin Said:

I am looking for a career in the medical field. What job do you have in the medical field?

We Answered:

I'm a registered nurse. I love my job... I work in an inner-city trauma center and there's never a dull moment. I work three days a week (12 hour shifts) and unlike a corporate job, when I go home, I leave everything with me. There's no staying late, or I'm not stuck "working on a project" like a businessman would do.

The best part about nursing is the number of areas I can go work in (public health, mental health, research, critical care, pediatrics, etc...) and it gives me the chance to rejuvenate my career if I ever feel it needs it, while still working as a nurse.

I've been a nurse for about 5 years and I make 130K a year (115K if you don't include the little bit of overtime I tend to do). Granted, nurses in the part of the country where I work tend to be the highest paid in the country, but it's still worth it.

Hope this helps!! Oh, and with the nursing shortage expected to get worse (the average nurse is about ten years away from retirement) the demand (and thus the pay) will only increase...

Annette Said:

College options for medical career...?

We Answered:

You can't apply to medical school straight out of high school, you need a 4-year college degree to apply to medical school. You can do premed at any 4-year university, and 3.5 can get you into some good ones. Keep your college GPA above 3.5 to apply to med school when you graduate.

Sonia Said:

Is there a career in the Medical field that does NOT involve too much math?

We Answered:

If surgeon is your 1st choice what are your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th choices?

You have a "few options"? What are they?