All in all it sounds like I'll probably need to go back to school. Yikes!
All this figuring myself out stuff is tough. =)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Medicine, hospitals, school, oh my!
Well, after much discussion I think that I have decided (with Jon's help) that I would like to work in the medical field in some way (at least at this moment...it could very well change tomorrow). This is helpful, but I don't know in what way I want to be involved in medicine. I know that I don't want to be a medical social worker (too much case management, not enough of the right kind of brain power). There's the possibility of being a nurse (school...yikes!), but I'm not sure that's the way I want to go either. The possibility of being a genetic counselor is still intriguing to me. My understanding of the job is that they counsel families on the genetic risks if they are trying to have children or on specific genetic diseases for those who have been diagnosed. The information I was reading also mentioned interacting with doctors in order to help them better understand the genetic components of disease or something like that. Whatever I was reading had mentioned that genetic counselors sometimes consult with doctors which I think I would like. Then there's also the possibility of presenting information to groups of people which I also like. The one thing that bothers me about being a genetic counselor is that there are not really "emergencies" to deal with. For some reason I think that I work my best under pressure and especially in emergency type situations (or at least something that could potentially be an emergency). When someone gets hurt I get into my zone and do whatever I need to do to help. I feel like that's an important part of me that should be utilized in my future career.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Wow missy! You sure have been thinking up a storm... take a break and maybe drink some lemonade while you read this :o) You're intrigue in science sounds quite genuine, and I feel that your likes about the area are not romanticized in any way... You formulated your likes and dislikes on very factual things, which is a pretty solid foundation if I may say so!
Let's take communicating with doctors for instance. From what you say you can enjoy that in genetic counseling... you also HAVE to interact with doctors in nursing as well. Let me tell you how these two scenarios may be different. As a genetic counselor it sounds as though you would be the educator in the situation. Your studies would be very centralized and doctors would go to you for your expertise. In nursing however that role is often reversed. The Doctor is the primary care-giver in the situation based mostly on his ability to orchestrate patient diagnosis and plan of care. This means a nurse's communication with a doctor can include giving him observations and data about patients, so he can revise their plan of care OR asking a doctor questions to grasp a better understanding of the scope of care. All this to say genetic counseling sounds more like an even playing field :o) BUT if that's not important to you, nursing allows you to walk into a health situation and analyze the crap out of it! You would certainly rise to the challenge...
Those are my fragmented thoughts now... I'll write more if I've grabbed hold of a different perspective...
P.S. Are we working on that "special cake" (wink wink) on the 14th??
I feel like you'd be the Jack Ryan of genetic counseling. Most likely, you'll be called on to deliver a special report to the president, and you won't have a tie on that day, and then Morgan Freeman will make some random office worker give you his tie.
serious comments to come later..
I feel like you'd be the Jack Ryan of genetic counseling. Most likely, you'll be called on to deliver a special report to the president, and you won't have a tie on that day, and then Morgan Freeman will make some random office worker give you his tie.
serious comments to come later..
I agree with everything below. Well thought out, invested, and very evident that you would thrive. It's a valid thing to consider the "adrenaline rush" as well though. While you would be in the educator role as a genetic counselor, the obligation to be introverted and thoughtful might take precedence over that of a more adrenaline based scenario, having to be extroverted and team oriented...
Just felt the need to add to the pile.
I guess i mean I agree with everything above...
whoops!
Hi Torrie! Just browsing and thought I'd give my "nursing" two cents on the topic. Genetic counseling seems like it can be very challenging, which I know is part of what you hope to find in a career. It does seem like it would be hard if you were to get too emotionally involved in your cases, however. Your love for children, and your desire for them to be happy and healthy, may be hindering if you don't agree with a couple's decision to have/not have kids based on what MIGHT happen if they conceive. There is a lot of uncertainty when you are dealing with statistics and probability, and those slight chances would drive me crazy.
I feel like this would be a problem for me, especially since I've taken care of a lot of babies born with genetic problems. They can cause a lot of pain and suffering in the long run, both for the children and their families. It's especially hard knowing that this pain and suffering could have been avoided if a couple had made the decision to adopt rather than have their own child that they know will have problems. Instead they may have taken the chance of having a healthy baby, and shortly after birth are faced with making some tough decisions regarding continuing care for their severely ill child.
I realize this makes me sound somewhat heartless, but I am just trying to provide a new perspective based on what I've seen. My already huge respect for you will grow even more if you undertake and succeed in this challenging career. Like they say, "someone has to do it." Better you than me! Keep us posted on what you decide!
Post a Comment