Hi, I’m new and not entirely sure how to naviate the site yet, so I apologize if this is in the wrong category.
My question is what is the best way to get into Pathology. My goal is to become a Forensic Pathologist, but if I never make it and/or decide I want to do general pathology, what is the best way? I’m going to be a High School Senior this September and wanted to really solidify my college choices now.
I’ve read articles that say I can do whatever in college, as in get a Bachelor’s Degree in practically anything. They also say that I can do so as long as I take the prerequisites I need for Med School.
Pathology would require me to take almost 14 years of schooling in order to get that degree.
However I’d been advised by my mother who had a brief career in the medical field to go to college, become a nurse, then go back to school and get into Pathology. This way I’d be making money while attending school.
My main concern about this is would it be a waste of my time? Would having a job as a nurse already count as my residency? Would I already have the foundation and experience needed to pursue a pathology career? I’m assuming that even though many things overlap, they wouldnt’t be the same thing as Forensic Pathology or any other kind of pathology is manly lab work. It’s to my understanding it’s a science dominated career as a well as one that deals with a little bit of law. Lab work and working with live patients are two different things as well. I’d also be working primairly with deceased “patients” by myself as apposed to live ones in teams or pairs like nurses.
So basically, if I were going to be a nurse, might as well stay a nurse and not pursue pathology considering I’ve prepped for a career that’s vastly different from what I want to be.
If I’m wrong about anything in this, please let me know. I know this is probably a question for a counselor or even a career forum, but I’d like to hear opinions from people attending college such as myself as well.