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Disconnect between career and longing - 7/23/2008 3:17:59 AM
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Earnestandsincere
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/23/2008
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Hi,
I have a problem. Well two mini problems really. First one is I am a nurse but I hate nursing. Surely God wouldn't want me to be a nurse if I hate nursing. But here is the disconnect. I have this crazy idea (which has never left me for years and years) that I want to be a doctor. It doesn't make sense and I can't shake this feeling. I am trying to figure out WHY I want to be a doctor if I don't even want to be a nurse. Besides that I am too old now (48) to be a doctor. But I have this uneasiness in my spirit about career and I have prayed and prayed for God's will for my career but it's been elusive. I just want to be happy and do what God wants. I don't even like people, I love animals. Everything in the bible talks about how we have to love people. I don't know what to do.
Please Help.
Earnestandsincere
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 7/23/2008 8:04:36 AM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4140
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: offline
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Maybe you are burned out.
How about a vet tech position?
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 7/23/2008 9:56:24 AM
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Szaftoo
Posts: 866
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: So. Calif.
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You can love people without being a nurse. I agree with Giggles, maybe you are burned out or simply need a change. Check out your local vet and see what they provide that doesn't need a formal education. If you don't look at your age, they won't either. Good luck.
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 7/23/2008 9:58:03 AM
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ames01
Posts: 93
Joined: 5/11/2007
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Hi there and welcome!  Several thoughts . . .
Are there specific parts of being a nurse that you don't like? For instance, is it working with patients who are demanding, working with other staff/doctors who are demanding, the high stress atmosphere, or something specific like that? Or is it the whole of nursing in general that you don't enjoy?
Would becoming a nurse practitioner be an option? That would let you have a role similar to a doctor's, but you would already have a head start on the schooling.
I also kind of wonder if you might be experiencing burnout, like Miss Giggles mentioned. I would imagine that nursing could be a very high stress, low reward kind of job at times, especially if a person was not really enjoying the work in the first place.
Lastly, have you tried having other Christians pray about whether it's God's will for you to become a doctor? That might help you to get confirmation on whether the doctor idea is from God.
Whew, sorry about the 20 questions. Hope to see you around the forums!
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/11/2008 5:44:19 AM
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rgod
Posts: 1173
Joined: 4/25/2005
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Why not just study to be a doctor? You already have a lot of the training that you need - so med school might not be as big of an issue for you as for someone else who is coming into it fresh. You know what doctor's do, so you aren't under any illusions - that should be very attractive to the admissions boards of many med school. Although it takes about many years to be a doctor - think of it this way. If you go to med school, you'll start your internship in about 4 years. That means at age 53, you'll be able to start working as a doctor (even if you are in training) - or you could still be nursing and having this desire in your heart. Which would you prefer? And something tells me that you've been wanting to do this for a very long time - that this isn't a recent desire.
I know a lady who became a psychologist after years of working for little pay in counseling centers with a bachelor's degree. She started her training at age 49 - today (about 6 years later) she is running a counseling center at a large university. She also has two doctorates and was able to finish them in record time because she was focused. It was what God placed on her heart and she went for it.
If you feel that this is something you are supposed to be doing and your spouse (if you have one) agrees, then try. Apply to med school. The worst thing that can happen is they'll say no. Or you'll go and find that you don't like it and you would have learned something. But who knows, God might use you to do some things that you never imagined.
< Message edited by rgod -- 8/11/2008 5:53:34 AM >
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/11/2008 7:52:55 AM
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LawrenceJCaldwell
Posts: 33
Joined: 7/3/2008
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Before trying to figure out what you want to do, spend whatever time it takes to find out what God wants you to do. Only when you get to this point will you truly be satisfied. The uneasiness you sense right now is likely God's Holy Spirit trying to get your attention. He has something in store for you. You just need to get hold of His prayers in heaven and make them part of your life on earth. This is a reality that few Christians ever realize and they are left frustrated through life. Follow this:
Romans 11:36-12;2 are the key verses. "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
The knowledge of the will of God is in heaven where Jesus now is with the Father. Therefore, your prayers in heaven is where it all starts (of Him). As our High Priest, Jesus ensures that these prayers are true and in accordance with God's will and directed to you (through Him). When complete, you will know without a moment of doubt where the answer came from and all glory will be given to God (to Him). To begin, make sure that there is no sin between you and the Father that would hinder your prayers. (Romans 6:11)
If you are not sure what to pray, confess that to God. He knows. He will help. He will ensure your prayers start and end in the right place and that the right message gets across. (Romans 8:26). Pray out your uncertainties. But more importantly, begin to pray out your certainties with God. Pray His truth of the verses above. Know them; know that they are true; know that they are certain; know that He hears and answers them because they are of Him, through Him, and to Him (to His glory Amen!). (Proverbs 22:21)
Now offer yourself a living sacrifice upon God's altar. You are pure and righteous in the atoning blood of Jesus. So get on the altar, let Him bind you there and be totally consumed for His good pleasure. Let your prayers be a sweet savor to Him. By offering yourself in this way, it is no longer a question of what you want to be. God will reveal to you what He wants you to be AND He will enable you to do it.
This will start by reminding you of your spiritual gift(s) (Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4) This is His unique and personal enablement for you to carry out His will. Do not rely on personal desires, giftedness, or testimony here. Don't let the flesh deceive you at this point (and it won't if you are right with God and still on that altar!). Let God tell you, reveal to you, fill you with His Holy Spirit, with the knowledge of the certainty of His Words of Truth, and finally, as He says in Romans 12:2, you will prove (know) what His good, perfect, and acceptable will is.
Allow God to take delight in you as His vessel and delight in the reality that His choosing may be completely different than what you imagine right now (Ephesians 3:20).
_____________________________
Lawrence J. Caldwell
Author & Speaker
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/19/2008 9:39:31 AM
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Row1
Posts: 217
Joined: 12/2/2005
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quote:
What I am trying to figure out is why this abnormal longing to be a doctor. I can't figure it out. Am I jealous of them?
You also state that you love collaborating with the doctors.
The word "abnormal" is kind of strong, but it could be a desire other than a calling. It could be that you really get satisfaction out of having your contribution acknowledged by people who "really matter" - by people in authority.
Another possibility is that you may feel that you are not getting the attention and respect that you "deserve." Maybe your mind thinks: "if I got to be a doctor, I would finally get the respect I deserve."
These are just a couple guesses, based on what you have said.
Either way - if you have a life where you are not feeling like you are contributing something meaningful, then yes you will be bored and maybe burned-out. Going through med school just to satisfy this all-too-human need for respect or for recognition would be really extreme.
Maybe first, for the short term, figure out some volunteer activity that would provide meaning and esteem in your life. Then, work on a long-range plan.
I like LawrenceCaldwell's advise, above. I happen to believe that God knows each one of us through and through, and is excited about our lives, and has a mission, or many missions for each of us.
I have known people as they have gotten into med school, and worked their way through, and I know, outside of doctor visits, plenty of doctors. I would not recommend at all to just 'go for it.' It is a very drastic undertaking. It is expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting. It involves constantly getting great amounts of criticism and corrective feedback. It involves memorizing many many details and extensive networks of information. Talk to some docs about what it is like.
Get a GMAT study book, and work on that for a few months, then take a practice test. That will give you a taste of what you are asking for. Trying to get a high score on GMAT is only the beginning.
I also know psychologists, including a couple friends who worked for their doctoral degrees when they were in their 50s. It is a challenge to get a doctoral degree in psychology, but not in the same way as getting an MD. Still expensive, still involves a lot of criticism and corrective feedback all the time, but not as grueling at all.
So, spend some more time figuring out your question about - why do I want to be a doctor? Because if it is for any of these recognition or respect-type reasons, it simply will not work. You will end up dropping out and still have whatever debt you accrued in the effort. However, you may be able to work on figuring out what God wants, and you may end up very happy, and playing a great role in the lives of others whether humans or animals.
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/26/2008 7:15:12 AM
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Concerto
Posts: 218
Joined: 10/20/2006
Status: offline
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Interesting comments. Let us be careful however and not jump to conclusions. It is a bit hasty to conclude that God has somehow pre-destined us for some type of vocation. It is possible, but, it may also be possible that He allows us to choose. God plants within us certain passions/interests which may lead to a new career. But, to say that God predestines someone to, for example, become a baker, is a pretty shaky statement.
C
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/26/2008 1:31:23 PM
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eaglelady11
Posts: 368
Joined: 7/20/2005
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yeah, I would get the books that doctors study and dive in and see if the passion is still there before you make a leap for med school.
are you jealous of doctors? is ti envy, is it the money, is it the impact on people's lives? Do you feel disempowered somehow? could you be a nurse practitioner or do you wanna go for the M.D.?
pray for clarification.
also, your age doesn't matter. I know someone who went back to school at 70.
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RE: Disconnect between career and longing - 8/26/2008 1:32:34 PM
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eaglelady11
Posts: 368
Joined: 7/20/2005
Status: offline
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yeah, I would get the books that doctors study and dive in and see if the passion is still there before you make a leap for med school.
are you jealous of doctors? is ti envy, is it the money, is it the impact on people's lives? Do you feel disempowered somehow? could you be a nurse practitioner or do you wanna go for the M.D.?
pray for clarification.
also, your age doesn't matter. I know someone who went back to school at 70.
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); I teach my hospitals patient info software to the staff. But this also is BORING. The best part of nursing is being in a position that allows you to work on a collaborative way with the doctors-that's my fav. I love the doctors. 
