Nurse to Doctor

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Hey,

I know this has probably been discussed a lot. Right now, I am still taking the prereqs to get into nursing school. I have a BA in psychology and I'm working on entering a bsn program for next fall. It may just be the summer, but I've lately been wondering whether I should be a nurse practitioner or doctor after I finish nursing school. I'm retaking chemistry because I dropped it after the drop ad during the summer (automatically failing it even though I was nowhere near failing the course). I have a B and A in two biology courses, an A in anatomy 2 and lab, an A in bio bases (neurology), a B+ in human perception. I'm asking at this point because if I make the decision to prepare for med school I would have to take chem 2 in the spring. I just feel like nurse practitioners aren't allowed to prescribe as much in my state of Florida and they are basically still treated as nurses since they can't open their own practice. I also love obtaining knowledge. I'm very detail oriented, like when I read a book I am very meticulous and love to remember the details. I took some practice mcat questions in biology (since I haven't taken chem or physics) and got 9 of 15 questions right. It took me a while to answer them, but I'm thinking with more experience that could change. So far I have a 3.62 gpa and with using the forgiveness policy I'm bringing it up to a 3.75. I'm asking two opinions: my aptitude and whether I would be more fulfilled as a nurse practitioner. If the information I've given isn't enough to make a judgment, is there a way for me to gain more information about which I would like more without the financial investment in starting a program? I want to find out before I invest too much money and am forced to follow through with something I don't like or enjoy.

If you want to be a doctor, become a doctor. If you want to be a nurse, become a nurse. You can't have your cake and eat it. MD/DO programs are not fond of people that are profession jumping. It just makes you look selfish as you've wasted the time of a school to train you in a health related field where there is shortage just as a backup in case you don't make it into medical school. And yes, some nurses have become doctors, but the ones I've seen had a change of heart 3+ years after working as a nurse.

Yeah, it's tough to ask us, strangers, about if you'd be more fulfilled as a dr than nurse. You should ask people who know you!

If this is anything, if you feel like you'd regret not becoming a dr, go for it. If you feel you'd rather be done earlier and start your career...many people are very satisfied with nursing.

I can't give much more than that, but good luck!

NPs are actually treated like doctors from what ive seen. Ive worked with 3 diff ones while shadowing and while they can't open their own practice, they do pretty much the same thing the doctors did. Think about the direction you want to go and move towards it. Ask yourself if being a NP is what youve always wanted, or if you feel like you have to become a doctor.

If I was in your place and wanted to become an doc, I would go osteopathic. NPs are very respected but THEY ARE NOT DOCTORS. It comes down to YOU, what do YOU really want to do with your life. I was in nursing school and dropped out because I realized that I wanted to be more in life.

Start getting ready for the MCAT and give it a shot.

Good Luck.

Do you want to advocate for patients or make medical decisions? Will you feel comfortable answering to a doctor? If you want to pursue academia and become autonomous, take the MCAT, do the applications, and become a doc. You must be absolutely unwavering in your interviews about how your nursing experience will contribute to your journey into medicine. And think about how much easier it would make our residency... You would know meds and orders much more thoroughly than your counterparts. Many nurses working under you would respect your empathetic nature and put your patients first. Good luck, either way!

Originally Posted by OPS18

If I was in your place and wanted to become an doc, I would go osteopathic. NPs are very respected but THEY ARE NOT DOCTORS. It comes down to YOU, what do YOU really want to do with your life. I was in nursing school and dropped out because I realized that I wanted to be more in life.

Start getting ready for the MCAT and give it a shot.

Good Luck.

DNPs are doctorate-trained practitioners. I think you meant to say they aren't physicians. Other than that I respect you providing your experience to the OP. Good relevant feedback.

Originally Posted by NeuroLAX

DNPs are doctorate-trained practitioners. I think you meant to say they aren't physicians. Other than that I respect you providing your experience to the OP. Good relevant feedback.

NPs have master degrees.

Originally Posted by cliquesh

NPs have master degrees.

Yes I am aware. I have a master's degree

My mistake, though. Thought OPS18 might be talking about DNPs. They have way too many nursing degrees.

I don't get the point of the DNP, apart from clinical research... Enlighten me?

To be a "doctor" but not put in the work. Med skool is tu haard!

Originally Posted by NeuroLAX

DNPs are doctorate-trained practitioners. I think you meant to say they aren't physicians. Other than that I respect you providing your experience to the OP. Good relevant feedback.

and since you can get a DNP online (phoenix.... ) I don't really care what they want to call it: it is not doctorate-level training. That is the beauty of self-accreditation. You need only to convince a few politicians that you know your stuff to get legal status and then you can slap a doctorate onto any yahoo with the appropriate number of UPC's found on cracker jack boxes.

DNPs are an excellent alternative to primary care if you are in need of standard screening, checkups, and lab tests. The adjectives take a sharp turn downward as soon as we extend beyond this role

Originally Posted by SpecterGT260

and since you can get a DNP online (phoenix.... ) I don't really care what they want to call it: it is not doctorate-level training. That is the beauty of self-accreditation. You need only to convince a few politicians that you know your stuff to get legal status and then you can slap a doctorate onto any yahoo with the appropriate number of UPC's found on cracker jack boxes.

Reminds me of that scene from Land of the Lost when Will Ferrell (Dr. Rick Marshall) says to Chaka after they save him from being sacrificed: "Keep in mind, Chaka, although I'm a doctor, I'm not a licensed physician."

Originally Posted by SpecterGT260

DNPs are an excellent alternative to primary care if you are in need of standard screening, checkups, and lab tests.

Which is why I plan to specialize. Why would a private practitioner want extra competition in their field?

Originally Posted by SpecterGT260

The adjectives take a sharp turn downward as soon as we extend beyond this role

True

Originally Posted by sylvanthus

To be a "doctor" but not put in the work. Med skool is tu haard!

Wow, you are hukked on fonix!!!

Originally Posted by doublefrick

I don't get the point of the DNP, apart from clinical research... Enlighten me?

I know at least half a dozen NPs and most of them cite one of two things:

A) They were so far into nursing at the time that they decided they wanted to be physicians that it was too late to turn back and easier to continue forward. Plus, they're in far less debt that way. For the most part there is little difference in an NP and a physician. Sorry to say.

B) They want to see patients in a clinic setting but don't want to be on their own. As NPs their charts are reviewed by law (in most states - if not at all) so they always have some oversight and a safety net. There's always a physician behind the scenes that they can bounce ideas off of.

If anything, it's my opinion that medical students and physicians should be happy to have NPs. For the large part, they're filling a tremendous primary care void that many medical students have no interest in filling.

Originally Posted by CopToEM

I know at least half a dozen NPs and most of them cite one of two things:

A) They were so far into nursing at the time that they decided they wanted to be physicians that it was too late to turn back and easier to continue forward. Plus, they're in far less debt that way. For the most part there is little difference in an NP and a physician. Sorry to say.

B) They want to see patients in a clinic setting but don't want to be on their own. As NPs their charts are reviewed by law (in most states - if not at all) so they always have some oversight and a safety net. There's always a physician behind the scenes that they can bounce ideas off of.

If anything, it's my opinion that medical students and physicians should be happy to have NPs. For the large part, they're filling a tremendous primary care void that many medical students have no interest in filling.

This is how I would explain it as well. And it's great to have more practitioners helping out the great healthcare demand in any community.

Hello future Doctors!

I too have been on thought about become a doctor. Im in nursing school at the moment working on my Associates RN then will aquire my BSN through an online program. Reason why I want to become a doctor is because I know a couple of doctors dont treat nurses right and becoming a nurse first to view a nurse perspective of caring for patients will give me an opportunity to view both sides before taking on the big boss job. Like changing the face of how patients view doctors as loving human beings treating others like a human being. So best of luck to everyone who is in nursing school, who are a nurse already, or who have dought on becoming a doctor. Many people have done it! so can you! Lets all make it happen!

Julian

Originally Posted by jujusaint

Hello future Doctors!

I too have been on thought about become a doctor. Im in nursing school at the moment working on my Associates RN then will aquire my BSN through an online program. Reason why I want to become a doctor is because I know a couple of doctors dont treat nurses right and becoming a nurse first to view a nurse perspective of caring for patients will give me an opportunity to view both sides before taking on the big boss job. Like changing the face of how patients view doctors as loving human beings treating others like a human being. So best of luck to everyone who is in nursing school, who are a nurse already, or who have dought on becoming a doctor. Many people have done it! so can you! Lets all make it happen!

Julian

Then you're going into medicine for the absolutely wrong reasons. Some people will be condescending anyway, whether you become a doctor or not.

we should also address that 1 doctor with the "proper" perspective on treatment of nurses does nothing to offset the "problem"

Originally Posted by ColeSmalls

NPs are actually treated like doctors from what ive seen. Ive worked with 3 diff ones while shadowing and while they can't open their own practice, they do pretty much the same thing the doctors did. Think about the direction you want to go and move towards it. Ask yourself if being a NP is what youve always wanted, or if you feel like you have to become a doctor.

This depends on the state, there are states that give NPs full autonomy to open there own practice. They just have to have a "consulting physician" that they can call if needed.

Originally Posted by jujusaint

Hello future Doctors!

I too have been on thought about become a doctor. Im in nursing school at the moment working on my Associates RN then will aquire my BSN through an online program. Reason why I want to become a doctor is because I know a couple of doctors dont treat nurses right and becoming a nurse first to view a nurse perspective of caring for patients will give me an opportunity to view both sides before taking on the big boss job. Like changing the face of how patients view doctors as loving human beings treating others like a human being. So best of luck to everyone who is in nursing school, who are a nurse already, or who have dought on becoming a doctor. Many people have done it! so can you! Lets all make it happen!

Julian

No offense, but seriously? I am a RN, and I have been one for quite some time. I think that motivation is ludicrous. There are plenty of medical students, residents, and attendings that are very compassionate and caring--that seek the patients' and families' perspectives. While there are also a number of nurses that do the same, there are a number of them that do not. Compassion, caring, and advocacy has little to do with the title a person holds. I wish I could tell you that 99% of all nurses are highly compassionate and caring advocates for families and patients. After a lot of experience in various areas of nursing, I cannot tell you that. It's like saying all surgeons are just out of money and prestige, and they are far from caring about their patients. It's just not true. You are basing your rationale on limited, stereotypical thinking.

It feels like I have used this quote for ages on end now. "It's not the suit that makes the person (originally, man), it's the person that makes the suit." It's like this: Does the title make the person or does the character,quality, and work of the individual make him or her?

Jerks exist in every profession.

Originally Posted by coolingglasses

Jerks exist in every profession.

Too True

Originally Posted by jl lin

No offense, but seriously? I am a RN, and I have been one for quite some time. I think that motivation is ludicrous. There are plenty of medical students, residents, and attendings that are very compassionate and caring--that seek the patients' and families' perspectives. While there are also a number of nurses that do the same, there are a number of them that do not. Compassion, caring, and advocacy has little to do with the title a person holds. I wish I could tell you that 99% of all nurses are highly compassionate and caring advocates for families and patients. After a lot of experience in various areas of nursing, I cannot tell you that. It's like saying all surgeons are just out of money and prestige, and they are far from caring about their patients. It's just not true. You are basing your rationale on limited, stereotypical thinking.

It feels like I have used this quote for ages on end now. "It's not the suit that makes the person (originally, man), it's the person that makes the suit." It's like this: Does the title make the person or does the character,quality, and work of the individual make him or her?

+1. While not a nurse, I have been in healthcare for over 10 years.I am sad to state that I have witnessed my fair share of nurses being passionate about providing good patient care instead of gossiping about whatever, sadly it's just not true. I will not say that all nurses are horrid nurses, but to go from nursing to medical school over how physicians treat nurses is ludicrous. This motivation will not get this individual through the sweat and tears of being a medical student and later on a resident, imo. Find a stronger conviction then go on to medical school.

Originally Posted by ColeSmalls

NPs are actually treated like doctors from what ive seen. Ive worked with 3 diff ones while shadowing and while they can't open their own practice, they do pretty much the same thing the doctors did. Think about the direction you want to go and move towards it. Ask yourself if being a NP is what youve always wanted, or if you feel like you have to become a doctor.

That's because NPs aren't physicians. They are nurses. I volunteer in a clinic that has NPs and they must ask one of they physicians for approval before they make any decisions. Not just prescriptions. I'm talking about something simple as x-rays and doing an EKG. I'm sure in other places NPs have more autonomy, but as a whole, physicians have more responsibility, more knowledge, and obviously more autonomy.

Originally Posted by taytay05

Hey,

I know this has probably been discussed a lot. Right now, I am still taking the prereqs to get into nursing school. I have a BA in psychology and I'm working on entering a bsn program for next fall. It may just be the summer, but I've lately been wondering whether I should be a nurse practitioner or doctor after I finish nursing school. I'm retaking chemistry because I dropped it after the drop ad during the summer (automatically failing it even though I was nowhere near failing the course). I have a B and A in two biology courses, an A in anatomy 2 and lab, an A in bio bases (neurology), a B+ in human perception. I'm asking at this point because if I make the decision to prepare for med school I would have to take chem 2 in the spring. I just feel like nurse practitioners aren't allowed to prescribe as much in my state of Florida and they are basically still treated as nurses since they can't open their own practice. I also love obtaining knowledge. I'm very detail oriented, like when I read a book I am very meticulous and love to remember the details. I took some practice mcat questions in biology (since I haven't taken chem or physics) and got 9 of 15 questions right. It took me a while to answer them, but I'm thinking with more experience that could change. So far I have a 3.62 gpa and with using the forgiveness policy I'm bringing it up to a 3.75. I'm asking two opinions: my aptitude and whether I would be more fulfilled as a nurse practitioner. If the information I've given isn't enough to make a judgment, is there a way for me to gain more information about which I would like more without the financial investment in starting a program? I want to find out before I invest too much money and am forced to follow through with something I don't like or enjoy.

Btw, are you taking nursing classing or pre-med classes? At my UG all the nursing students took "nursing" chemistry, biology, etc. They were different (significantly easier) than what the pre-meds took. If your courses are designated as Nursing courses, I'm not sure all medical schools will accept them as pre-reqs.

Allied health classes are typically easier and much less in depth than the weedout pre-reqs premeds take.

Keep that in mind when you are getting B/B+s.