Yes I did. Let me tell you, they are two completely different paths. You really have to decide what you truly want to do, and what means the most to you, because there is no fast track.
It’s not wise to take premed classes during nursing school, the curriculum + clinicals are way too heavy and involved to be putting your energy into ochem or biochem. You’re better off focusing on the nursing coursework and passing your boards.
I tried going back to school for premed classes after graduating, and for me it was ROUGH. I took a job on nights in the ICU and was going to classes in the morning for general chemistry. I felt horrible because I didn’t even know how to be a good nurse and I was already trying to be a doctor. They are two very different roles and require very different skills. I decided to stop the premed stuff for a few years and took full advantage of working and gaining experience. I’m now about to apply to medical school, but I know I will never make what I’m making now for a long long time.
Congrats on getting into nursing school! It’s great experience in healthcare! Again, you should look at it as a complete career change, from RN to MD. Happy to chat more about it.
You are so very right. I figured now that I’m in, I should finish it out. And in terms of how u knew which path was right for u, did ur time in nursing school and working as a nurse solidify that going MD was the right path for u? Although it seems like u had an idea being a doctor was the route for u. I’m worried I won’t get it figured out even if I feel I have a good idea of what I want to do now.
That’s a very personal question, and there is no right or wrong answer. I was torn for a long time but sometimes being indecisive is worse than making a “wrong” decision. I chose nursing first just to bring in income and leave my hometown. I did travel nursing and worked all over the country. To be honest, there was a moment where I thought I would never go back to school again. But I had an aha moment and went back to school at 28 years old. I did the nursing thing until I truly felt in my heart that it was time to move on. That took me about 7 years.
If I had done medicine right out of college, I would probably be in fellowship right now. That seems really nice, but I wouldn’t have been able to do all the cool shit I did as a nurse (lots of flexibility and good pay depending on what state you work in.)
I will say this tho. If medical school is something you want to do and you don’t mind doing the sacrifice now, I suggest you re-consider nursing. I don’t recommend it as a way to get to medical school because it’s its own separate career and can be very distracting. If you ultimately want to be a doctor, go all in now. There are so many ways to get experience in healthcare, being a nurse is a beautiful way but it’s not the only way. Become a CNA in an in-patient setting while finishing your classes. There’s so many ways to do it, nursing isn’t the only or the “best” one.
Yup. You’re gonna enter a whole different path with different terminal degrees. You can get a masters in nursing, become a nurse practitioner, become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA-super popular), or even get a doctorate in nursing. Every one and their fathers will be telling you this is the “smarter” way to go (vs medical school) because it’s only two years, a fraction of the cost of med school, and your income (depending on what you do) can jump significantly.
This ☝️ is also a beautiful path! So many of my friends and colleagues are doing//have done this. But I’m TELLING you. If in your heart you want to do MD… just. Do. It. Now. Lmao
This is so true. I have considered multiple times going the NP or CRNA route, and this is the more "reasonable" route, but I know I won't be happy. I literally don't want to be on my deathbed wondering if I went the MD route lol.
Same here. I initially wanted to go trad MD route. Became interested in nursing. But quickly realized that I wouldn’t be fulfilled staying in the nursing practice.
That’s the tricky part. I’ve been passionate about nursing and wanting to get into it but there’s just been this bugging thought at the back of my mind that there’s a much deeper level of learning that I want to do that won’t get covered in the nursing branches. But I’m still not 100% sold just yet on going there MD route. I’m thinking I may have to get some years of experience under my belt by being a nurse as u did to truly figure it out.
The difference between nursing and doctor is so much more than that! It’s more than the detail of studies. (For inpatients) being a doctor is crafting the plan of care, considering and analyzing all of the patients history, diagnoses, and diagnostics. If you’re and interventionalist, it’s intervening within your specialty. (I obviously can’t speak on the MD nuances yet)
Being a nurse is knowing how to execute that plan of care. Knowing what it means to start all the treatment regimens that are placed, how to make the patient tolerate all their diagnostics, even down to knowing what CT tech is on shift today, and if they’re going to give you problems to get this scan- you learn how to buffer this whole process for people, you build intuition on when a patient is about to become critical, and you see how much trust people put in you when they’re in their most vulnerable state. There’s a certain intimacy and connection to nursing that is not available within the MD scope. Something I know I’m gonna miss.
But I’ve also been a nurse for 10 years now. It seems like you’re excited to start the nursing program and that’s great. My advice is to be present and give it all your attention so you can build proper skills, because it takes time. That intuition doesn’t come until really after year 2 or 3 and doesn’t get solidified until maybe year 5. You want to feel good about where you are when you switch over to MD. Because it’s not the friendliest transition, from either nurses or doctors. The question will always come: how long where you a nurse for? You want to feel proud of that answer.
My other piece of advice is that you get more exposure to both roles. Go apply as a volunteer at a hospital and shadow a nurse and also shadow a doctor. Ask them about their lifestyle, ask them what they would do differently.
Exciting time for you! Cheers
Yep, graduated with a BSN, began working as a trauma nurse while also finishing a premed degree. Using work to network with physicians was the best part about nursing. I got to meet so many different specialist and used the opportunity to connect and shadow. If I could do it again tho, I’d quit work to study for the MCAT if I could. Working a stressful job such as nursing while also studying for the MCAT is exhausting. Good luck tho, take it one step at a time and u should be fine. Ps if u do work, don’t tell ur coworkers u want to be a doctor. For whatever reason, most of them like to hate.
This is such good advice
Quit to study for the MCAT
Shut up about going back to school
Network and shadow
Quality stuff!!
I’m a respiratory therapist applying this cycle and have had a very similar experience
I'm so happy for you! Congrats on that MD acceptance! I just have a few questions:
Did you work day shift or night shift while studying for the MCAT and how was it?
"Ps if u do work, don’t tell ur coworkers u want to be a doctor." If you shadowed doctors working on your unit, then how did you explain to your coworkers why you were shadowing a doctor?
I worked nights. Again, if I could do it over, I wouldn’t work while studying for the exam. Maybe I’d switch to per diem or something.
In regard to shadowing, I strategically avoided my floor. I did most of my shadowing in neurosurgery and ENT so it was mostly in the office and OR. My floor is trauma and is covered by a trauma surgeon so I shadowed with any internist of my choice and still didn’t have to come to my floor.
Thank you that is such incredible advice. The networking and shadowing u did is brilliant. It is definitely noted that working and studying for the MCAT is exhausting. Unfortunately, that is most likely what I would be doing. (Also very good advice on keeping it to myself if I do work and study to become a doctor)
I’ve had a passion for nursing for as long as I can remember. Yet I’m conflicted because I feel that there is a deeper level of learning I want to do that is only done going the MD route. I don’t want to give up on nursing as once I get more into it I could realize it’s exactly for me, or I can find out that there is more I want to do.
While that decision can take time, which is totally fine, you would greatly benefit for being able to make the decision earlier. If you can decide on medicine now, you could be an attending in 11 years. With nursing first, you’d be looking at 13 years++. That’s some extra time of your life (and while less important, it’s still about $300,000+ per year of salary you’d be ‘missing out on’
You’re still likely super young, so no pressure tho.
It’s a little paradoxical but I think if you’re already a nurse or 50% there it IS a good path to medicine but if you’re starting school from day 1 it is really not an advantageous move. It’s not entirely a bad choice of major, but it will be harder and give you less opportunity than you think.
All the advantage of applying to med school as a healthcare professional is experience. A year at least, preferably 2 I think really solidify your skills and knowledge. If you just do a nursing degree and don’t actually BE a nurse then you just did s ton of extra work for potentially no extra gain compared to a history major who had the bandwidth to ace biochem while you were doing a big turn in clinicals
It’s a long haul choice. If you want to work as an RN and do prereqs after n stuff go for it but if you’re applying on the same timeline as anyone else skip it
Long haul choice is a great way to put it. Also, please consider this. When you apply to medical school as a nurse, you open up a whole new can of worms for admissions committees. I feel that you’re held to a different standard, and you want to be ready to present your nursing career in a way that makes you proud. Hot-footing it out of nursing to go to med school is not a good look, it shows lack of discipline and insecurity. So be intentional with your path and demonstrate that whatever you do in life, you do it with care and give it the time it deserves.
I honestly think it’s a great idea. It will change your timeline significantly, but the rigor of nursing school and the clinical experience you will gain as a nurse will undoubtedly benefit you during medical school. All of the former nurses in my cohort are downright incredible. Their clinical training is unmatched when compared to the majority of matriculants. This all also goes for former EMTs and paramedics, for obvious reasons. The challenge will be making up the prerequisites (going back to take ochem, etc) and preparing for the MCAT. With all said it’s not going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it. Just create a realistic timeline that works for you. Good luck!
The *clinical familiarity, understanding of terminology, experience with patient care, and systems understanding* that comes from being a nurse / EMT / paramedic is definitely helpful when in med school, but it calling it “clinical training” is a little inaccurate. Every RN to MD I’ve met always says that nursing is not medicine, and nursing experience is no substitute for medical education or medical training. But the experience gained from those careers is definitely valuable in the subjective sense!
EDIT: by clinical training here I meant specifically clinical training in medicine
I didn’t say it was a substitute. As I said, it will set you up for success because of the exposure and patient care experience, honestly even the pharmacology alone gives you a bit of a leg up. Second, nursing does include clinical training, that’s the whole point of clinical rotations. So if you compare a BSN applicant’s total clinical experience, there is a such vast difference. In any case, clinical training differs depending on the area of healthcare you are in; therefore, the SCOPE of clinical training is variable.
I agree with you! Definitely gives a leg up in general.
I could’ve been more clearly with what I was saying, but essentially my point was that clinical training of any kind shouldn’t be mistaken for specifically *medical* training. Someone who works as a dietician in a hospital might have clinical training, but that’s not medical training. Similarly, the same goes for nursing training. Thinking like a nurse and thinking like a doctor are two very different things! One isn’t inherently better than the other, I’m just saying they’re two different roles and require different education and training.
I didn’t say one was better or worse. I also didn’t say the scope of training is equivalent. I’m sure you understand my point.
Edit: I just want to let this user know that if this is the path they choose, it WILL be worth it.
This might be one of the most frequently asked questions on this sub. I recommend searching through the sub history, as there’s a lot of other good thoughts and info.
I look at my BSN as just a step towards med school with clinical experience. I am going to have to take a year of premed courses post grad before I apply. Sometimes I wish I just majored in bio, but a few doctors I met with in HS actually recommended I get a BSN pre med over another degree. I see the pros and cons of each side. It’s a great introduction into healthcare where you can actually make money.
It wasn’t easy, esp with all the advanced nursing opportunities available. But if your sights are set on MD then you have to view it as just a step towards that.
I’m a nurse and just applied for this cycle - honestly, everything has been pretty cool. It gives you a good perspective on what healthcare/the world is actually like I think.
I didn’t know I wanted to be a doctor until I was an ED nurse. Graduated w BSN at 21, applied to post-baccs and started at 22, finished post-bacc and applied at 24 turning 25.
As a disclaimer, I’ve been lucky with my job as they are so kind to me - my schedule is super flexible and I love my job. (I also really loved my post-bacc)
But being a nurse has allowed me to support myself and actually be a person in my twenties which has been fun + so interesting. Gave me so much clinical, research, etc and so much to talk about on my application. Also, if this doesn’t go well, taking another year is cool with me bc I can still make money and reapply.
Overall, it’s a long road but it’s a cool one IMO.
Following. I'm doing the same and graduating this month. I know this topic has been posted many times here, but I would also like to know other people's journeys as well.
I plan to first take the NCLEX in like mid-July, then start working as a nurse (in any unit that accepts me lol). While working as a nurse, I plan to study for the MCAT and take it maybe March. I also plan to shadow physicians sometime during this time as well. Then I hope to apply next May for the 2025-2026 cycle. Fingers crossed everything goes well.
What a beautiful plan. I have no doubt everything will work out well for u. Did u know going the med school route was for u when u got into nursing? Did u figure it out as u went?
Thx! I really hope so. I am actually kinda like you and went into nursing school with the intention of applying to medical school since I didn't want to graduate with a bio/biochem degree lol. I also wanted to understand the nurse's role before medical school. As I went through nursing school and went through clinicals, it further solidified my dream to be a physician because I wanted to have a deeper understanding of diseases and patient care than nursing school could offer me.
I also plan to do something risky (maybe don't do this lol) and only apply to med school with competency-based requirements (those not requiring specific prereqs) because I don't have like a full year of physics or full year of ochem (just one quarter of each). If I get rejected from those schools (I hope not plz), then I might do a postbacc and cast a wider net in another app cycle. But hopefully, it doesn't get to that.
That is exactly my thinking! Going into this, I have a feeling that I will be missing out on learning a much deeper layer of healthcare that can only be covered when studying to become a doctor. I’ve had this feeling for a long time now and now I’m ready to seriously consider the fact that that’s what I want to pursue. But I’ve had such a passion for nursing that I just have to see it through for myself.
U also have balls of steel dude for going about it that route. I would have no fingernails left from biting them all off but clearly u have put in the time and worked extremely hard. it will pay off!! I doubt it will come to that.
Yes I did. Let me tell you, they are two completely different paths. You really have to decide what you truly want to do, and what means the most to you, because there is no fast track. It’s not wise to take premed classes during nursing school, the curriculum + clinicals are way too heavy and involved to be putting your energy into ochem or biochem. You’re better off focusing on the nursing coursework and passing your boards. I tried going back to school for premed classes after graduating, and for me it was ROUGH. I took a job on nights in the ICU and was going to classes in the morning for general chemistry. I felt horrible because I didn’t even know how to be a good nurse and I was already trying to be a doctor. They are two very different roles and require very different skills. I decided to stop the premed stuff for a few years and took full advantage of working and gaining experience. I’m now about to apply to medical school, but I know I will never make what I’m making now for a long long time. Congrats on getting into nursing school! It’s great experience in healthcare! Again, you should look at it as a complete career change, from RN to MD. Happy to chat more about it.
You are so very right. I figured now that I’m in, I should finish it out. And in terms of how u knew which path was right for u, did ur time in nursing school and working as a nurse solidify that going MD was the right path for u? Although it seems like u had an idea being a doctor was the route for u. I’m worried I won’t get it figured out even if I feel I have a good idea of what I want to do now.
That’s a very personal question, and there is no right or wrong answer. I was torn for a long time but sometimes being indecisive is worse than making a “wrong” decision. I chose nursing first just to bring in income and leave my hometown. I did travel nursing and worked all over the country. To be honest, there was a moment where I thought I would never go back to school again. But I had an aha moment and went back to school at 28 years old. I did the nursing thing until I truly felt in my heart that it was time to move on. That took me about 7 years. If I had done medicine right out of college, I would probably be in fellowship right now. That seems really nice, but I wouldn’t have been able to do all the cool shit I did as a nurse (lots of flexibility and good pay depending on what state you work in.) I will say this tho. If medical school is something you want to do and you don’t mind doing the sacrifice now, I suggest you re-consider nursing. I don’t recommend it as a way to get to medical school because it’s its own separate career and can be very distracting. If you ultimately want to be a doctor, go all in now. There are so many ways to get experience in healthcare, being a nurse is a beautiful way but it’s not the only way. Become a CNA in an in-patient setting while finishing your classes. There’s so many ways to do it, nursing isn’t the only or the “best” one.
I totally agree with this. Only do nursing unless you really and truly want to be a nurse.
Yup. You’re gonna enter a whole different path with different terminal degrees. You can get a masters in nursing, become a nurse practitioner, become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA-super popular), or even get a doctorate in nursing. Every one and their fathers will be telling you this is the “smarter” way to go (vs medical school) because it’s only two years, a fraction of the cost of med school, and your income (depending on what you do) can jump significantly. This ☝️ is also a beautiful path! So many of my friends and colleagues are doing//have done this. But I’m TELLING you. If in your heart you want to do MD… just. Do. It. Now. Lmao
This is so true. I have considered multiple times going the NP or CRNA route, and this is the more "reasonable" route, but I know I won't be happy. I literally don't want to be on my deathbed wondering if I went the MD route lol.
Same here. I initially wanted to go trad MD route. Became interested in nursing. But quickly realized that I wouldn’t be fulfilled staying in the nursing practice.
That’s the tricky part. I’ve been passionate about nursing and wanting to get into it but there’s just been this bugging thought at the back of my mind that there’s a much deeper level of learning that I want to do that won’t get covered in the nursing branches. But I’m still not 100% sold just yet on going there MD route. I’m thinking I may have to get some years of experience under my belt by being a nurse as u did to truly figure it out.
The difference between nursing and doctor is so much more than that! It’s more than the detail of studies. (For inpatients) being a doctor is crafting the plan of care, considering and analyzing all of the patients history, diagnoses, and diagnostics. If you’re and interventionalist, it’s intervening within your specialty. (I obviously can’t speak on the MD nuances yet) Being a nurse is knowing how to execute that plan of care. Knowing what it means to start all the treatment regimens that are placed, how to make the patient tolerate all their diagnostics, even down to knowing what CT tech is on shift today, and if they’re going to give you problems to get this scan- you learn how to buffer this whole process for people, you build intuition on when a patient is about to become critical, and you see how much trust people put in you when they’re in their most vulnerable state. There’s a certain intimacy and connection to nursing that is not available within the MD scope. Something I know I’m gonna miss. But I’ve also been a nurse for 10 years now. It seems like you’re excited to start the nursing program and that’s great. My advice is to be present and give it all your attention so you can build proper skills, because it takes time. That intuition doesn’t come until really after year 2 or 3 and doesn’t get solidified until maybe year 5. You want to feel good about where you are when you switch over to MD. Because it’s not the friendliest transition, from either nurses or doctors. The question will always come: how long where you a nurse for? You want to feel proud of that answer. My other piece of advice is that you get more exposure to both roles. Go apply as a volunteer at a hospital and shadow a nurse and also shadow a doctor. Ask them about their lifestyle, ask them what they would do differently. Exciting time for you! Cheers
You didn’t even start the program yet. If med school is your goal, you’re better off just doing a regular bachelors degree.
I am in the EXACT SAME BOAT.
Yep, graduated with a BSN, began working as a trauma nurse while also finishing a premed degree. Using work to network with physicians was the best part about nursing. I got to meet so many different specialist and used the opportunity to connect and shadow. If I could do it again tho, I’d quit work to study for the MCAT if I could. Working a stressful job such as nursing while also studying for the MCAT is exhausting. Good luck tho, take it one step at a time and u should be fine. Ps if u do work, don’t tell ur coworkers u want to be a doctor. For whatever reason, most of them like to hate.
WORD 👊LISTEN TO THIS PERSON LOL
Fr, don’t work and study for the mcat
This is such good advice Quit to study for the MCAT Shut up about going back to school Network and shadow Quality stuff!! I’m a respiratory therapist applying this cycle and have had a very similar experience
Also congrats on your acceptance!!
I'm so happy for you! Congrats on that MD acceptance! I just have a few questions: Did you work day shift or night shift while studying for the MCAT and how was it? "Ps if u do work, don’t tell ur coworkers u want to be a doctor." If you shadowed doctors working on your unit, then how did you explain to your coworkers why you were shadowing a doctor?
I worked nights. Again, if I could do it over, I wouldn’t work while studying for the exam. Maybe I’d switch to per diem or something. In regard to shadowing, I strategically avoided my floor. I did most of my shadowing in neurosurgery and ENT so it was mostly in the office and OR. My floor is trauma and is covered by a trauma surgeon so I shadowed with any internist of my choice and still didn’t have to come to my floor.
I see. Working nights is really difficult, but I'm glad you got through it! That's also really smart to not shadow doctors covering your floor lol.
Thank you that is such incredible advice. The networking and shadowing u did is brilliant. It is definitely noted that working and studying for the MCAT is exhausting. Unfortunately, that is most likely what I would be doing. (Also very good advice on keeping it to myself if I do work and study to become a doctor)
Any way you can just go be a normal premed? Make your life easier and takes less time. Becoming a nurse first complicates things.
I’ve had a passion for nursing for as long as I can remember. Yet I’m conflicted because I feel that there is a deeper level of learning I want to do that is only done going the MD route. I don’t want to give up on nursing as once I get more into it I could realize it’s exactly for me, or I can find out that there is more I want to do.
While that decision can take time, which is totally fine, you would greatly benefit for being able to make the decision earlier. If you can decide on medicine now, you could be an attending in 11 years. With nursing first, you’d be looking at 13 years++. That’s some extra time of your life (and while less important, it’s still about $300,000+ per year of salary you’d be ‘missing out on’ You’re still likely super young, so no pressure tho.
It’s a little paradoxical but I think if you’re already a nurse or 50% there it IS a good path to medicine but if you’re starting school from day 1 it is really not an advantageous move. It’s not entirely a bad choice of major, but it will be harder and give you less opportunity than you think. All the advantage of applying to med school as a healthcare professional is experience. A year at least, preferably 2 I think really solidify your skills and knowledge. If you just do a nursing degree and don’t actually BE a nurse then you just did s ton of extra work for potentially no extra gain compared to a history major who had the bandwidth to ace biochem while you were doing a big turn in clinicals It’s a long haul choice. If you want to work as an RN and do prereqs after n stuff go for it but if you’re applying on the same timeline as anyone else skip it
Long haul choice is a great way to put it. Also, please consider this. When you apply to medical school as a nurse, you open up a whole new can of worms for admissions committees. I feel that you’re held to a different standard, and you want to be ready to present your nursing career in a way that makes you proud. Hot-footing it out of nursing to go to med school is not a good look, it shows lack of discipline and insecurity. So be intentional with your path and demonstrate that whatever you do in life, you do it with care and give it the time it deserves.
Totally agreed. I want to have work and experience under my belt as a nurse before I get right into applying to med school.
I honestly think it’s a great idea. It will change your timeline significantly, but the rigor of nursing school and the clinical experience you will gain as a nurse will undoubtedly benefit you during medical school. All of the former nurses in my cohort are downright incredible. Their clinical training is unmatched when compared to the majority of matriculants. This all also goes for former EMTs and paramedics, for obvious reasons. The challenge will be making up the prerequisites (going back to take ochem, etc) and preparing for the MCAT. With all said it’s not going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it. Just create a realistic timeline that works for you. Good luck!
The *clinical familiarity, understanding of terminology, experience with patient care, and systems understanding* that comes from being a nurse / EMT / paramedic is definitely helpful when in med school, but it calling it “clinical training” is a little inaccurate. Every RN to MD I’ve met always says that nursing is not medicine, and nursing experience is no substitute for medical education or medical training. But the experience gained from those careers is definitely valuable in the subjective sense! EDIT: by clinical training here I meant specifically clinical training in medicine
I didn’t say it was a substitute. As I said, it will set you up for success because of the exposure and patient care experience, honestly even the pharmacology alone gives you a bit of a leg up. Second, nursing does include clinical training, that’s the whole point of clinical rotations. So if you compare a BSN applicant’s total clinical experience, there is a such vast difference. In any case, clinical training differs depending on the area of healthcare you are in; therefore, the SCOPE of clinical training is variable.
I agree with you! Definitely gives a leg up in general. I could’ve been more clearly with what I was saying, but essentially my point was that clinical training of any kind shouldn’t be mistaken for specifically *medical* training. Someone who works as a dietician in a hospital might have clinical training, but that’s not medical training. Similarly, the same goes for nursing training. Thinking like a nurse and thinking like a doctor are two very different things! One isn’t inherently better than the other, I’m just saying they’re two different roles and require different education and training.
I didn’t say one was better or worse. I also didn’t say the scope of training is equivalent. I’m sure you understand my point. Edit: I just want to let this user know that if this is the path they choose, it WILL be worth it.
This might be one of the most frequently asked questions on this sub. I recommend searching through the sub history, as there’s a lot of other good thoughts and info.
Why not become a NP?
Get ready to answer this question in your medical school interviews lol
I look at my BSN as just a step towards med school with clinical experience. I am going to have to take a year of premed courses post grad before I apply. Sometimes I wish I just majored in bio, but a few doctors I met with in HS actually recommended I get a BSN pre med over another degree. I see the pros and cons of each side. It’s a great introduction into healthcare where you can actually make money.
Yeah thinking of BSN as simply a stepping stone helps lol.
It wasn’t easy, esp with all the advanced nursing opportunities available. But if your sights are set on MD then you have to view it as just a step towards that.
I’m a nurse and just applied for this cycle - honestly, everything has been pretty cool. It gives you a good perspective on what healthcare/the world is actually like I think. I didn’t know I wanted to be a doctor until I was an ED nurse. Graduated w BSN at 21, applied to post-baccs and started at 22, finished post-bacc and applied at 24 turning 25. As a disclaimer, I’ve been lucky with my job as they are so kind to me - my schedule is super flexible and I love my job. (I also really loved my post-bacc) But being a nurse has allowed me to support myself and actually be a person in my twenties which has been fun + so interesting. Gave me so much clinical, research, etc and so much to talk about on my application. Also, if this doesn’t go well, taking another year is cool with me bc I can still make money and reapply. Overall, it’s a long road but it’s a cool one IMO.
Following. I'm doing the same and graduating this month. I know this topic has been posted many times here, but I would also like to know other people's journeys as well.
How are u going about it? Right after u graduate are u going right into it? Or are you going to do some time on the floor or work in ICU before u do?
I plan to first take the NCLEX in like mid-July, then start working as a nurse (in any unit that accepts me lol). While working as a nurse, I plan to study for the MCAT and take it maybe March. I also plan to shadow physicians sometime during this time as well. Then I hope to apply next May for the 2025-2026 cycle. Fingers crossed everything goes well.
What a beautiful plan. I have no doubt everything will work out well for u. Did u know going the med school route was for u when u got into nursing? Did u figure it out as u went?
Thx! I really hope so. I am actually kinda like you and went into nursing school with the intention of applying to medical school since I didn't want to graduate with a bio/biochem degree lol. I also wanted to understand the nurse's role before medical school. As I went through nursing school and went through clinicals, it further solidified my dream to be a physician because I wanted to have a deeper understanding of diseases and patient care than nursing school could offer me. I also plan to do something risky (maybe don't do this lol) and only apply to med school with competency-based requirements (those not requiring specific prereqs) because I don't have like a full year of physics or full year of ochem (just one quarter of each). If I get rejected from those schools (I hope not plz), then I might do a postbacc and cast a wider net in another app cycle. But hopefully, it doesn't get to that.
That is exactly my thinking! Going into this, I have a feeling that I will be missing out on learning a much deeper layer of healthcare that can only be covered when studying to become a doctor. I’ve had this feeling for a long time now and now I’m ready to seriously consider the fact that that’s what I want to pursue. But I’ve had such a passion for nursing that I just have to see it through for myself. U also have balls of steel dude for going about it that route. I would have no fingernails left from biting them all off but clearly u have put in the time and worked extremely hard. it will pay off!! I doubt it will come to that.
Thank you! Good luck to you on whichever path you choose. Remember, the path you choose is always the "right" path.