(This is also posted in the non trad forum . . . some people there suggested I post it here)
Hey there:
I'm a new SDN member from Canada, currently studying first year nursing at a university for a BScN. During Gr 12 I wrestled constantly with the decision between a biology/biochem degree and nursing, which I hadn't really considered until late during uni applications. It came down to picking between these two programs at a certain school (chosen for proximity to home and scholarship money) and I choose nursing. However I wasn't entirely convinced one way or another. If the uni I'm at (and will probably finish my undergrad at) had a medical science program, or a better bio program that supported/recognized premeds more, I might have chosen the other way. But, for me, first semester nursing was nothing at all to complain about. I did enjoy it, and am doing very well in it. I enjoy the subject matter, the interaction with people during clinicals, and the focus on health care.
Coming out of high school I was sure I wanted to to pursue a career in the health professions- most likely as an advanced practice nurse or doctor. (Fear not, I understand there are many more options out there in health care, I happen to be interested in these two). After a semester of nursing, among other things, I know that I want to pursue medicine as a primary goal, and not simply as an afterthought. Should I take a year out of my program, get the prereqs, and then return to nursing? (If that's possible) Should I change my major now to bio? Should I finish nursing, then do the prereqs? Or would that dig me into a hole where I would have to backtrack to prepare for medical school . . . I'm confused as to what action to take next, if I need to take any at all. Actually, in Canada, you don't necessarily need prereq science courses to apply to some schools- however the MCAT is required for most schools, so I still need to learn the subject matter in the prereq couses to prepare for the MCAT. This meaning that one could study from purely from study guides for the MCAT. Would this be a foolish idea?
Any advice, especially from nurses who made the switch to medicine, would be appreciated![/quote]
Hey there:
I'm a new SDN member from Canada, currently studying first year nursing at a university for a BScN. During Gr 12 I wrestled constantly with the decision between a biology/biochem degree and nursing, which I hadn't really considered until late during uni applications. It came down to picking between these two programs at a certain school (chosen for proximity to home and scholarship money) and I choose nursing. However I wasn't entirely convinced one way or another. If the uni I'm at (and will probably finish my undergrad at) had a medical science program, or a better bio program that supported/recognized premeds more, I might have chosen the other way. But, for me, first semester nursing was nothing at all to complain about. I did enjoy it, and am doing very well in it. I enjoy the subject matter, the interaction with people during clinicals, and the focus on health care.
Coming out of high school I was sure I wanted to to pursue a career in the health professions- most likely as an advanced practice nurse or doctor. (Fear not, I understand there are many more options out there in health care, I happen to be interested in these two). After a semester of nursing, among other things, I know that I want to pursue medicine as a primary goal, and not simply as an afterthought. Should I take a year out of my program, get the prereqs, and then return to nursing? (If that's possible) Should I change my major now to bio? Should I finish nursing, then do the prereqs? Or would that dig me into a hole where I would have to backtrack to prepare for medical school . . . I'm confused as to what action to take next, if I need to take any at all. Actually, in Canada, you don't necessarily need prereq science courses to apply to some schools- however the MCAT is required for most schools, so I still need to learn the subject matter in the prereq couses to prepare for the MCAT. This meaning that one could study from purely from study guides for the MCAT. Would this be a foolish idea?
Any advice, especially from nurses who made the switch to medicine, would be appreciated![/quote]
