[Secretum]

For a very long time, I have wanted to be a psychiatrist. As someone with mental health issues who has a lot of close friends with mental health issues, helping those who also struggle is something that is very important to me.

The problem is, I am not sure if I'm strong enough for med school. Ok, I'll rephrase that...I'm not strong enough for med school. I did a one year masters program this year to get me prepared for med school; essentially, I took all the same courses a first year med student would take. It was awful. I was so stressed and anxious, and I experienced a really bad depression second semester.

So, I'm looking at alternate career paths.

Option A:

Become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Pros: I could prescribe medications, do therapy, and I'd have a back-up career as a nurse if I got too sick to complete the advanced nursing practice degree after completing the RN, I don't have to take any more standardized tests, and I could probably get into a program that would start in January or May of next year.

Cons: I don't think I'd be able to do research, and I don't think I'd get much respect.

Option B:

Become a clinical psychologist.

Pros: I would receive extensive research training, I would also get more training on how to conduct therapy than a psychiatrist would, I think the coursework would be very interesting, most of the classes I'd be taking would directly relate to what I want to ultimately do, I wouldn't have to pay tuition.

Cons: I'm not sure I could get into a PhD program, I wouldn't be able to prescribe meds in most states, I'd have to take the GRE, and I'd make less than either an MD or an NP.

So, what do you all think I should do?

[Angelique67]

Thinking of just the work alone, what would you be happiest doing? For example is there more paperwork involved in one than the others, etc. Which would feel best to you purely for the work?

[CosmicRose]

Well I personally would probably choose option A.
Option B, you would be a psychologist - this means you'll spend the majority of your time talking it out with patients. Talk, talk, talk.
Option A, is more LIKE a medical doctor where you would be dealing more-so with medications and a more clinical setting. Diagnosing with actual physical tools, not just emotional talk, talk talk.

So do you want to be standing or sitting? Standing, giving medications. Sitting, discussing and talking. Do you like the more clinical aspect, or do you like the more empathetic aspect?

[Yoda]

option 3 physician's asst

[Amazonmom]

In Seattle a PNP gets plenty of respect. Maybe it's because PNP get quite a bit of autonomy. I had quite the complex course of PPD and they did a great job

[Travelinglady]

I suggest Option A, too. They are getting more and more respect.