Accelerated 5-term BSN or PA?

[jmelinte]

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I recently graduated with my BS in biology and a minor in chemistry. I entered into a very advanced graduate school program (biomedical engineering), and after this first term have realized I've gotten myself in way over my head, partly thanks to an adcom unfamiliar with my background. The very advanced research-based molecular biology and engineering courses are proving to be very challenging, and I'm starting to lose hope because no matter how much I study, it seems to get me nowhere due to my lack of background in these areas. I've obviously had life sciences up to graduate level in my undergrad, but these are 2nd year PhD research-based courses, and I'm only a 1st year MS student. Thus, I'm contemplating dropping out of this program because if I'm already having this many problems at the beginning, not making the grades I want will defeat the entire purpose of why I entered. My main reason for entering the program was to improve my GPA and apply to medical school, but this is looking pretty bleak at the moment.

Among several suggestions, my undergrad advisor suggested looking into nursing and/or PA as an option because I am still very passionate about working in primary care. After my BS degree, the only prerequisites I am missing for either program are pretty much the same. The first is A&P thanks to an advisor who told me not to take it if I'm pre-med, a nutrition class for nursing, and a psychology class. Thus, I could take the rest of the year off, and try to get some more clinical experience, and then next year continue to work and take my remaining prerequisites. There is a 5-term accelerated BSN program in my area meant for those who already have a bachelor degree which I would be applying to.

Which program do you guys think would be more fitting for someone in my situation. I'm torn between the two and I think in the end I would end up in the same place because if I went with BSN, I'd most likely follow it with a masters degree in the future. I scored 1280 on the GRE (780q 500v), and I would imagine this would be adequate for a PA program.

The local PA programs require 1000-2000 hours of experience. While I have none in the US (something I would definitely fix during the time off), I have spent the past 4 summers visiting family in Europe, and worked with my aunt in her clinic on an almost daily basis. Would this experience count for anything?

 

[jwk]

I recently graduated with my BS in biology and a minor in chemistry. I entered into a very advanced graduate school program (biomedical engineering), and after this first term have realized I've gotten myself in way over my head, partly thanks to an adcom unfamiliar with my background. The very advanced research-based molecular biology and engineering courses are proving to be very challenging, and I'm starting to lose hope because no matter how much I study, it seems to get me nowhere due to my lack of background in these areas. I've obviously had life sciences up to graduate level in my undergrad, but these are 2nd year PhD research-based courses, and I'm only a 1st year MS student. Thus, I'm contemplating dropping out of this program because if I'm already having this many problems at the beginning, not making the grades I want will defeat the entire purpose of why I entered. My main reason for entering the program was to improve my GPA and apply to medical school, but this is looking pretty bleak at the moment.

Among several suggestions, my undergrad advisor suggested looking into nursing and/or PA as an option because I am still very passionate about working in primary care. After my BS degree, the only prerequisites I am missing for either program are pretty much the same. The first is A&P thanks to an advisor who told me not to take it if I'm pre-med, a nutrition class for nursing, and a psychology class. Thus, I could take the rest of the year off, and try to get some more clinical experience, and then next year continue to work and take my remaining prerequisites. There is a 5-term accelerated BSN program in my area meant for those who already have a bachelor degree which I would be applying to.

Which program do you guys think would be more fitting for someone in my situation. I'm torn between the two and I think in the end I would end up in the same place because if I went with BSN, I'd most likely follow it with a masters degree in the future. I scored 1280 on the GRE (780q 500v), and I would imagine this would be adequate for a PA program.

The local PA programs require 1000-2000 hours of experience. While I have none in the US (something I would definitely fix during the time off), I have spent the past 4 summers visiting family in Europe, and worked with my aunt in her clinic on an almost daily basis. Would this experience count for anything?

Have you considered the Anesthesiologist Assistant option? You could apply now and if accepted you would enter in summer of 2007. There is no experience requirement, you obtain a Master's degree in anesthesiology, have wide-open career opportunities, and if still interested at that point, an excellent stepping stone to medical school. PM me if you'd like more info.

 

[melcal]

where do you see yourself fitting in the scope of medicine. as a clinician/healthcare practitioner or caregiver?

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

I would also suggest podiatry. Some schools still take the GRE so you may not have to take the MCAT or extra classes.

 

[jmelinte]

I have never considered Anesthesiologist Assistant as an option, as I wasn't even aware of a local program for this (Portland, OR), and I would like to stay in the area if possible. I'll gladly take more information though.

As a response to the second reply, I see myself as a combination of both a clinician and caregiver. My main scope is to obtain the recognition of a clinician and use these skills and credentials to provide care, and later have the option of possibly having a private practice. I believe that healthcare should be more personalized, and while there is not much one can do to take out the HMO and insurance aspects of it, I'd like to eventually become a care-providing practitioner.

As for podiatry, I have thought of it, along with osteopathy, but I am afraid the reason I would not get in is a lower undergraduate GPA (3.16).

I'd love to hear further insight. I am new to the forums but definitely love the friendly and helpful atmosphere.

 

[deleted6669]

"My main scope is to obtain the recognition of a clinician and use these skills and credentials to provide care, and later have the option of possibly having a private practice. I believe that healthcare should be more personalized, and while there is not much one can do to take out the HMO and insurance aspects of it, I'd like to eventually become a care-providing practitioner."

scratch rn from the list then unless you are thinking about it as a bridge to np.
nurses are not clinicians and can not open their own practice unless they become np's.

 

[jmelinte]

I know that. I'll probably apply to both RN and PA programs, since I'd qualify for both, but I don't think PA would recognize my international clincial experience. Thus, RN would be not only a base career, but also a bridge to NP, PA, or even MD (especially if I worked for a couple of years before applying). I should have been clearer when I wrote it up. I definitely don't expect to be a practician with just a BSN 🙂

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

As for podiatry, I have thought of it, along with osteopathy, but I am afraid the reason I would not get in is a lower undergraduate GPA (3.16).

You would definitely be competitive for both DO and DPM programs if you did well on the MCAT. One thing to remember is that each pre-med student receives different educations. Someone who goes to Notre Dame and gets a 3.0 competes against an applicant from Drunken Haze CC who has a 4.0. What most DO and DPM programs use is the MCAT b/c it is the great equalizer.

The DPM schools that still accept the GRE generally have lower GPA standards (around 3.0). The stronger schools generally look for a 3.25 and a 22 on the MCAT.

I have always felt you should not settle for another career. If you wanted to be a Dr, work hard and realize your goal. If you settle on a PA or NP, you many regret that you did go all the way. I would do some soul searching and make sure that you are not giving up and you want to be a PA, NP, DPM, AA, or DO.

 

[deleted6669]

I know that. I'll probably apply to both RN and PA programs, since I'd qualify for both, but I don't think PA would recognize my international clincial experience. Thus, RN would be not only a base career, but also a bridge to NP, PA, or even MD (especially if I worked for a couple of years before applying). I should have been clearer when I wrote it up. I definitely don't expect to be a practician with just a BSN 🙂

most pa programs probably will accept international experience if well documented.

 

[prairiedog]

most pa programs probably will accept international experience if well documented.

I was under the impression that many PA programs didn't require any experience?

 

[deleted6669]

I was under the impression that many PA programs didn't require any experience?

your impression was wrong. some lower quality programs don't require experience but the quality programs all do-just like direct entry np programs that take history majors.....

 

[prairiedog]

your impression was wrong. some lower quality programs don't require experience but the quality programs all do-just like direct entry np programs that take history majors.....

The quality PA programs take history majors?
You say some lower quality programs don't require experience, do you have a number or % of PA programs that don't require experience?

 

[deleted6669]

The quality PA programs take history majors?
You say some lower quality programs don't require experience, do you have a number or % of PA programs that don't require experience?

sure, a history major who was a paramedic for 5 yrs. and went back to take a yr of science prereqs.
just a guess, but maybe 10% of all pa programs require zero prior pt care experience. I can only think of a handful offhand out of the 140 programs out there. I would not recommend that anyone attend these programs nor would I hire any of their grads just as I would not hire an np who did an online np program( and I have been in a position to hire pa's and np's before and have hired and fired both).
addendum: I just spoke with a pa program director who is a friend of mine. currently 15 of 140 programs do not require prior medical experience. several of these want "shadowing" or volunteering experience, however which can be of variable value depending on the quality of the experience. if all you are doing is stocking linen at the hospital and pushing pts in wheelchairs to the lab that is basically worthless but if you are essentailly volunteering full time as an er tech or medical asst then that would have some definite learning potential.

 

[jmelinte]

My international experience consisted of working directly under my aunt in her clinic in Europe for the past 4 summers. Specializations there vary from ones here. She deals with skeletal and muscular issues (diagnosis and treatment), direct medical treatment, and physical therapy. Her clinic has a floor with PT rooms and a floor with diagnostic rooms for her and some of her partner practicians. I am having her write up a letter for me, along with a notarized translation. Would this qualify for enough documentation? If not, what exactly would I need from her as proper documentation?

 

[deleted6669]

My international experience consisted of working directly under my aunt in her clinic in Europe for the past 4 summers. Specializations there vary from ones here. She deals with skeletal and muscular issues (diagnosis and treatment), direct medical treatment, and physical therapy. Her clinic has a floor with PT rooms and a floor with diagnostic rooms for her and some of her partner practicians. I am having her write up a letter for me, along with a notarized translation. Would this qualify for enough documentation? If not, what exactly would I need from her as proper documentation?

this sounds good. any program that accepts volunteer experience as opposed to paid medical experience only would look favorably on this.

 

[Sinnman]

If your goal was to be a doctor, that's what you should pursue. Trust me; you don't want to "settle" for being a nurse, NP, or PA. You will not be happy and you are taking the spot from somebody that really wanted to be a -insert field here-.

I've been there myself and have seen many of my friends go down that same path. Even emedpa that posts here has still expresses desire to go back to medical school. Trust me, DON'T DO IT!!!!!

Having said that, you are probably still in fine shape for medical school if you focus and take the right steps. If you are considering MD, than I would seriously look at a post-bac program. They should be a lot more interesting to you without all the research. They are usually like a mini-medical school. If you do well, you've got a very good shot at most programs.

If you are looking at osteopathic schools, I would recommend you either do a post-bac or retaking the classes that you didn't do as well in and kill them. AACOMAS will only calculate your last retake. If you chose this route, I would also involve yourself in something that shows you’re committed to medicine and preferably osteopathy. DO schools are still stringent about admissions but historically seem to like finding people that will make great clinicians even if that had some academic transgressions before (providing you re-prove yourself).

 

[jmelinte]

What worries me about post-bac programs is I don't come out w/ anything to show for it, so if medical school falls through, they don't provide me with anything to fall back on. That's why I originally chose the masters program, and was thinking as other backups such as rn, pa, etc as ways to show my dedication, improve grades, etc.