Hey SDN! First post so apologies if formatting is off.
Here’s a bit of background about me:
I graduated in 2017 with a neuroscience degree and a chemistry minor. I was pre-med up until my junior year. I shadowed a doctor (outpatient cardiology) and he essentially discouraged me from becoming a doctor. He said that he worked more with insurance companies than patients. At this point, I had volunteered in the hospital and only had interacted with nurses. I took his advice to heart, but probably too quickly. My grades were already declining, and I decided maybe this was my sign that I wasn’t cut out for medicine anyways.
I decided to apply for my colleges +1 master’s in neuroscience so I could get into research. I almost completed my master’s degree and my mental health took a massive nosedive. I did not complete my program and instead worked as a remote study coordinator. My program was nice enough to give me a contract to complete my remaining coursework. My job only worsened my mental health and I did not complete my coursework in the time allotted, resulting in 1) no master’s degree and 2) a D and F on my transcript. Convinced I had no other options, not being able to find a job not working with animals (I became allergic), and still wanting to work in healthcare, I applied to nursing school.
I’m about to finish my BSN. I’m doing quite well. However, in my clinicals and during classes, I feel lost. I love my job as a nurse aide and can see myself being a good nurse, but I want more. In clinicals, I delve into the charts way deeper than my classmates, looking into the pathophysiology. My instructors have said they’re impressed that I know so much. I am fascinated during rounds.
Of course I’m going to complete my degree because it would be a waste not to. I already accepted a position in the ICU. I thought maybe this would be enough for me. The nagging feeling of wanting to pursue medicine seems to continue.
I know that being a new graduate nurse will be extremely challenging, especially in the ICU. I won’t know anything, so it’ll take significant time to be comfortable. The unit provides 6-month orientation. Because I’d rather not take classes and apply to med school during this orientation period, I would not be applying until the 2027 cycle. I am only missing physics 2 from undergrad. I plan to take that course and maybe a couple other classes, then the MCAT.
My question is: Is this worth it? How long should I work as a nurse before I apply? I admit I’m a bit drained from school. I’ve been in school for a while now. I need time off. However, in 2027 I’ll be 28. I want a family soon. There’s also the sunk-cost theory: Should I just settle for being a nurse, considering I already have two degrees? I know it’s a rewarding career and has good work-life balance. I know I’ll regret it later if I don’t go to medical school though.
Stats for anyone interested:
Undergraduate: Transcript says 3.62, including master’s courses taken in senior year. Take that out, it’s 3.59
sGPA: 3.38 (including neuroscience courses)
Graduate: 3.22 overall GPA. D is in cellular neuroscience and F is in Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse.
ABSN (+ prereqs for ABSN taken online): 3.67, expect it to increase to 3.7 this sem
Here’s a bit of background about me:
I graduated in 2017 with a neuroscience degree and a chemistry minor. I was pre-med up until my junior year. I shadowed a doctor (outpatient cardiology) and he essentially discouraged me from becoming a doctor. He said that he worked more with insurance companies than patients. At this point, I had volunteered in the hospital and only had interacted with nurses. I took his advice to heart, but probably too quickly. My grades were already declining, and I decided maybe this was my sign that I wasn’t cut out for medicine anyways.
I decided to apply for my colleges +1 master’s in neuroscience so I could get into research. I almost completed my master’s degree and my mental health took a massive nosedive. I did not complete my program and instead worked as a remote study coordinator. My program was nice enough to give me a contract to complete my remaining coursework. My job only worsened my mental health and I did not complete my coursework in the time allotted, resulting in 1) no master’s degree and 2) a D and F on my transcript. Convinced I had no other options, not being able to find a job not working with animals (I became allergic), and still wanting to work in healthcare, I applied to nursing school.
I’m about to finish my BSN. I’m doing quite well. However, in my clinicals and during classes, I feel lost. I love my job as a nurse aide and can see myself being a good nurse, but I want more. In clinicals, I delve into the charts way deeper than my classmates, looking into the pathophysiology. My instructors have said they’re impressed that I know so much. I am fascinated during rounds.
Of course I’m going to complete my degree because it would be a waste not to. I already accepted a position in the ICU. I thought maybe this would be enough for me. The nagging feeling of wanting to pursue medicine seems to continue.
I know that being a new graduate nurse will be extremely challenging, especially in the ICU. I won’t know anything, so it’ll take significant time to be comfortable. The unit provides 6-month orientation. Because I’d rather not take classes and apply to med school during this orientation period, I would not be applying until the 2027 cycle. I am only missing physics 2 from undergrad. I plan to take that course and maybe a couple other classes, then the MCAT.
My question is: Is this worth it? How long should I work as a nurse before I apply? I admit I’m a bit drained from school. I’ve been in school for a while now. I need time off. However, in 2027 I’ll be 28. I want a family soon. There’s also the sunk-cost theory: Should I just settle for being a nurse, considering I already have two degrees? I know it’s a rewarding career and has good work-life balance. I know I’ll regret it later if I don’t go to medical school though.
Stats for anyone interested:
Undergraduate: Transcript says 3.62, including master’s courses taken in senior year. Take that out, it’s 3.59
sGPA: 3.38 (including neuroscience courses)
Graduate: 3.22 overall GPA. D is in cellular neuroscience and F is in Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse.
ABSN (+ prereqs for ABSN taken online): 3.67, expect it to increase to 3.7 this sem
