22 and starting over

[Jestal]

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I am 22. I am in my last semester of my RN year (Associates). I had planned on becomming a doctor, but I got pregnant my senior year in high school. I had my son, started college for nursing. I thought that my dream of becoming a physician was gone since I had a child so young, so I thought becomming a nurse would satisfy my medicine interest. Right now I work as a LPN, and will be graduating in May with my RN. As school has progressed, I realized I am more interested (still) in the physician's role, not the nurses role. I had another child three years ago, so I thought med school would really never come. But the more I work, the more I dream. I am married, and my husband is more than willing to support me. I just don't know what to do. My GPA is only 3.7 because I had a rough year at home last year (my husband and I almost divorced). I let my grades slack, and now I am paying the price for it. I have buckled down especially hard this semester, but since most of our work is clinical and you don't get a grade in it, it doesn't do squat for my GPA. I am completely aware of how much physicans work, and the amount of dedication it takes to make it through med school... but I still want to do it. Is it realistic with a GPA such as this? The sciences come easy to me, so I am not really concerned about pre-reqs especially because I have gone through the nursing program which is 100 times more intense than just taking classes. I know I could ace all of my pre-reqs. Is this really realistic? Can I still get in?

Then, there is the whole bachelors degree. Should I get my bachelors in nursing (only two extra years, going one day a week) and fulfill my pre-reqs, or should I just major in something else?

Any advise would be much appreciated!

 

[MollyMalone]

Hey there,

Your dream is very realistic. A 3.7 GPA is far from terrible and if you can ace your pre-reqs as you seem confident that you can, you will be in even better shape.

If you are already less than excited about nursing I am not sure that a bachelor's in it would be the best road for you (I have an ADN and chose not to get a BSN for a variety of reasons but primarily the fact that I couldn't stand the thought of taking more nursing theory). However, especially with a family to think of, practical considerations are certainly important and if another major would require significantly more work/time then that would be a tough trade-off (I had done half a BA before going to nursing school so it worked out to be an equivalent amount of time for me). Whichever you choose, make sure you can clearly articulate your reasons so that you can explain your choice to an adcom when the time comes.

If you have any other questions about going from nursing to medicine, feel free to PM me.

 

[Jestal]

I also don't feel like doing much more nursing theory. Nursing theory is the most boring topic, and I know the Bachelors program is heavy on that. So are you a pre-med, or have you started med school? I am so excited for this change. maybe I should go to the college where I hope to do the rest of my pre-reqs at and talk to them.

Hey there,

Your dream is very realistic. A 3.7 GPA is far from terrible and if you can ace your pre-reqs as you seem confident that you can, you will be in even better shape.

If you are already less than excited about nursing I am not sure that a bachelor's in it would be the best road for you (I have an ADN and chose not to get a BSN for a variety of reasons but primarily the fact that I couldn't stand the thought of taking more nursing theory). However, especially with a family to think of, practical considerations are certainly important and if another major would require significantly more work/time then that would be a tough trade-off (I had done half a BA before going to nursing school so it worked out to be an equivalent amount of time for me). Whichever you choose, make sure you can clearly articulate your reasons so that you can explain your choice to an adcom when the time comes.

If you have any other questions about going from nursing to medicine, feel free to PM me.

 

[MollyMalone]

I also don't feel like doing much more nursing theory. Nursing theory is the most boring topic, and I know the Bachelors program is heavy on that. So are you a pre-med, or have you started med school? I am so excited for this change. maybe I should go to the college where I hope to do the rest of my pre-reqs at and talk to them.

I will be starting med school this fall. 😀

I think your idea about talking to the school where you want to do your pre-reqs is a good one. If they have a pre-med advisor that's a good place to start.

 

[mswise34]

I am 22. I am in my last semester of my RN year (Associates). I had planned on becomming a doctor, but I got pregnant my senior year in high school. I had my son, started college for nursing. I thought that my dream of becoming a physician was gone since I had a child so young, so I thought becomming a nurse would satisfy my medicine interest. Right now I work as a LPN, and will be graduating in May with my RN. As school has progressed, I realized I am more interested (still) in the physician's role, not the nurses role. I had another child three years ago, so I thought med school would really never come. But the more I work, the more I dream. I am married, and my husband is more than willing to support me. I just don't know what to do. My GPA is only 3.7 because I had a rough year at home last year (my husband and I almost divorced). I let my grades slack, and now I am paying the price for it. I have buckled down especially hard this semester, but since most of our work is clinical and you don't get a grade in it, it doesn't do squat for my GPA. I am completely aware of how much physicans work, and the amount of dedication it takes to make it through med school... but I still want to do it. Is it realistic with a GPA such as this? The sciences come easy to me, so I am not really concerned about pre-reqs especially because I have gone through the nursing program which is 100 times more intense than just taking classes. I know I could ace all of my pre-reqs. Is this really realistic? Can I still get in?

Then, there is the whole bachelors degree. Should I get my bachelors in nursing (only two extra years, going one day a week) and fulfill my pre-reqs, or should I just major in something else?

Any advise would be much appreciated!

I wish I had a 3.7 when I applied. You're more than fine with a 3.7. Take your prereq's, finish your degree in nursing or whatever route gets your degree the quickest and apply. Definitely talk to your school of interest to make sure you take the right things. Also, I have a friend who is a single mom of three children and went back to law school and is doing great and still being a fantastic mother if that gives you any encouragement...and she was 33 when she started it all. Good luck!

 

[snuggy]

Jestal, I am also new here, although I've been reading a lot for quite some time. I, too, was heading in the Nursing direction, but have since changed my mind. (I've always wanted to be a doctor, but... well, that's a whole different discussion. LOL) 🙂

I absolutely agree with TheDarkSide's suggestion to speak with a pre-med advisor at the school of your choice. Best of luck to you in figuring out which way you're going to go!

 

[rgerwin]

Some med schools only require 90 credits (including pre-reqs) for med school. Talk to an advisor. Also, I'm not sure if it was someone in particular that gave you the impression that a 3.7 isn't high enough. If it was, disregard any furture advice from them. You'll have no problems, just focus on the MCAT. Schools like non-trads, and you'll have good stuff to include in a personal statement.

 

[neoncandle]

Hi!
I came at medical school with a degree in marketing and an overall GPA of only a 3.4 before I started taking my pre-reqs. I would pick a major that you can get good grades in and that interests you... So, I am just going to second that you can do it and you aren't in a bad position at all right now.
-Tiffany

 

[MollyMalone]

Some med schools only require 90 credits (including pre-reqs) for med school.

This is true in theory but in practice they want a completed bachelor's degree. I tried to get out of it to no avail.

 

[.edu-MD]

I am 22.

Plenty of time!

My GPA is only 3.7

Is this a typo? Did you mean 2.7? Like others have already said, if you really did mean 3.7 as you typed, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you switched majors, would it delay your completing your degree? If either would take the same amount of time, I'd pick a major you enjoy. The choice of major doesn't really matter as long as you do well.

 

[Jestal]

No, I really mean 3.7. It seems like everyone says you need a 3.9+. I am enrolling this month into a two year BSN program. I only have to go one day a week... so, that leaves me with time to do the pre-reqs! SO EXCITED!!!! 😀

 

[snuggy]

Jestal, congratulations on making the decision that works best for you!

I've learned that people will tell you just about anything to discourage you, even when they really have no clue as to what it's all about. Just take a look at some of the profiles at mdapplicants.com. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover that the successful applicants are well-rounded, because med schools are looking at more than just your GPA. 🙂