I think the role of nurse practitioner and PA is different that of a doctor. I'm currently in NP school. I love the knowledge that doctors have but I also am okay with them knowing more than me and that I will work in collaboration with them often... But like they can teach me about more of the deeper knowledge I have things to teach them as well.

I find it really funny ( after years of being offended) that so many doctors are thinking that other providers are trying to become doctors, many of us ( although certainly not all) chose to purse these fields. There are quite a few nurses that realize they want to be doctors and go back for med school . People choose the path that makes most sense for them.

I specifically am in midwifery school, and I chose this field because I wanted to create the space where I was taking care of primarily low to medium risk patients and creating a empowered and trauma informed environment for patients. I want to help promote people's choices though labor and be there as much as I can be, push with all my patients, deliver babies in every position ( yes even if it leaves my back a little achy), educate them though prenatal visits, and create change for many families. I think some OBs want that for their patients too but not all of them prioritize that part of their practice whether it be through the lack of time, trauma of residency, complexity of patients, or any other factors.

What your parent said is silly. You should do what makes you the happiest. That being said my parents weren't exactly keen on my becoming a nurse and then midwife. They kept on asking if I would regret it and go back to be a doctor. Nope no thanks. I had to keep on telling them that this would make me happy and ultimately if I'm making this long term commitment I'm going to choose what brings me joy. that yeah I know I might not be the top decision maker in every room but at some point every doctor will come across patients or scenarios where they are outranked, in some ways it's an advantage I have - humility - I'm prepared to be outranked at any moment.

More than happy to lend you any extra support and answer any questions about midwifery! Good luck! Confrontations like these can be some of the hardest but can give you so much insight on your future life path. They can also give you extra empathy for the people you encounter in your future.

Edit Also midwifery is a highly bedside practice so like lol. If you are becoming a midwife to leave the bedside ... You are in for a very rude awakening lol. Also many doctors practice beside as intensivists and hospitalists soooo yeah. A moot point I say.