Advice?

[FutureDr215]

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Okay so I decided to major in liberal arts (preferbly sociology concentration) and get my pre-reqs done. As mentioned before I have gotten a D letter grade twice in college chem so I will defenitiely put in the work towards a upward shift(3.1 gpa currently, no pre-reqs completed yet). But as I complete my degree I want to keep my options open in the health field just in case medicine does not work out; so my alternative would be direct entry into master of nursing program.

1. Is this plan ok? Do you recommend anything? ALL advice are welcomed

2. I am 22 and have 65 transfer credits from a junior college, no assiciates degree. Ideally how long of a journey do I have to become an Emergency Physician or an Emergency Nurse Practitioner?

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

My only thought about this plan is that the prereqs for MD/DO school are usually very different than those for nursing programs. It may not be possible to complete both AND your degree requirements. They also require totally different exams (MCAT vs. GRE). It's definitely a good idea to keep your options open. But you may want to spend some time exploring each of these careers (through shadowing, volunteering, etc.) before you get too far into taking prereqs - as there is usually very little overlap! Good luck.

 

[FutureDr215]

My only thought about this plan is that the prereqs for MD/DO school are usually very different than those for nursing programs. It may not be possible to complete both AND your degree requirements. They also require totally different exams (MCAT vs. GRE). It's definitely a good idea to keep your options open. But you may want to spend some time exploring each of these careers (through shadowing, volunteering, etc.) before you get too far into taking prereqs - as there is usually very little overlap! Good luck.

Well the direct entry into NP doesnt require a BSN thats why I feel like I am definitely keeping my options open academically; once I obtain my liberal arts degree with the pre-med reqs I have the option to go to med school or NP direct entry without having to go back to school to complete anymore pre reqs. Feel like I have a plan. Do you have any last recommendations or advice?

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Well the direct entry into NP doesnt require a BSN thats why I feel like I am definitely keeping my options open academically; once I obtain my liberal arts degree with the pre-med reqs I have the option to go to med school or NP direct entry without having to go back to school to complete anymore pre reqs. Feel like I have a plan. Do you have any last recommendations or advice?

Perhaps I'm mistaken but I was under the impression that even direct entry BSN/MSN programs have prereqs (usually something like nutrition, microbiology, A&P, stats). Maybe there are programs that don't require these? But in any case, as long as you have a plan!

 

[ROSC]

Well the direct entry into NP doesnt require a BSN thats why I feel like I am definitely keeping my options open academically; once I obtain my liberal arts degree with the pre-med reqs I have the option to go to med school or NP direct entry without having to go back to school to complete anymore pre reqs. Feel like I have a plan. Do you have any last recommendations or advice?

I don't know what your situation is or your EC activities are, but I would recommend to get as much exposure or experience as possible. This will help you to realize if the health care field is for you or what sector you would be more inclined to pursue.

ER tech- scribe- EMT- Basic
MD shadowing
Volunteering for AHA

Lots of different options there

 

[FutureDr215]

I don't know what your situation is or your EC activities are, but I would recommend to get as much exposure or experience as possible. This will help you to realize if the health care field is for you or what sector you would be more inclined to pursue.

ER tech- scribe- EMT- Basic
MD shadowing
Volunteering for AHA

Lots of different options there

Yes i will be trying all of these! My EC is very light and I have room for exposure to these the health field

Questions:
1. Are there any entry level jobs in the ER?

2.How do you go about shadowing a doctor? I would assume they are too busy especially a EP

 

[ROSC]

Yes i will be trying all of these! My EC is very light and I have room for exposure to these the health field

Questions:
1. Are there any entry level jobs in the ER?

2.How do you go about shadowing a doctor? I would assume they are too busy especially a EP

Entry Level jobs in the ER would be
ER tech and scribe to the best of my knowledge--- Where "Experience is preferred, but not mandatory"

Call the hospital's HR dept. You'll have to fill out an application like you're applying for a job almost. Then submit immunization records as well. Along with other waivers. You will then be cleared for "shadowing". They make you go through the same processes as a volunteer does here at our local facilities.
However, I can not be the spokes person for other facilities.

 

[FutureDr215]

Entry Level jobs in the ER would be
ER tech and scribe to the best of my knowledge--- Where "Experience is preferred, but not mandatory"

Call the hospital's HR dept. You'll have to fill out an application like you're applying for a job almost. Then submit immunization records as well. Along with other waivers. You will then be cleared for "shadowing". They make you go through the same processes as a volunteer does here at our local facilities.
However, I can not be the spokes person for other facilities.

Okay cool. One last question if i do go the BSN route and possibly take my pre reqs for med school during the summer, and kill my MCAT; will them pre reqs taken in the summer (lets just say hypothetically i get an A & B letter grade in all of them) be frown upon for med school? Is this still a solid plan to keep my option open for med school and NP?

 

[DrMikeP]

Okay cool. One last question if i do go the BSN route and possibly take my pre reqs for med school during the summer, and kill my MCAT; will them pre reqs taken in the summer (lets just say hypothetically i get an A & B letter grade in all of them) be frown upon for med school? Is this still a solid plan to keep my option open for med school and NP?

Make sure the nursing school you are attending for nursing uses regular bio and chem classes vs. special ones for nurses and they should count. Some schools do and I've found some don't (mostly private universities or some stand alone programs). Med schools really care more about courses than the major of the undergrad degree. You'd also have to take organic and biochem and physics, which many BSN nursing progs don't require. As other poster mentioned, shadow/work and figure out what you want to be (vs. figuring out your escape plan if it doesn't happen). I've seen nurses who are physician wannabees end up leaving nursing, because they weren't happy. If you really want to be a physician do everything possible to make it happen! Best of Luck!

 

[ROSC]

Okay cool. One last question if i do go the BSN route and possibly take my pre reqs for med school during the summer, and kill my MCAT; will them prerequisites taken in the summer (lets just say hypothetically i get an A & B letter grade in all of them) be frown upon for med school? Is this still a solid plan to keep my option open for med school and NP?

I don't see why they would be frowned up as long as the subjects have a BIO- CHEM- PHYS prefix, as mentioned by DrMike. You would be fairly hard pressed to find a Summer BioChem course though. Some Universities will offer it, but more do not.

My Advice would be paralleled with Dr.Mike's, finish with your BSN work as a nurse while simultaneously knocking out Prerequisites, you will be gaining invaluable experience as a Nurse (which you will need for NP school) that can also assist you in your Med school application process. All while giving yourself time to make your final decision as to which direction in Health Care you will wish to take.

 

[SailorHg]

Are you 100% sure that this is a direct entry to NP program? I have heard of several newer Master's entry to RN, but not NP without first having a BSN.

This may not matter to you, OP, but might be worth keeping in mind because there is a big difference.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Are you 100% sure that this is a direct entry to NP program? I have heard of several newer Master's entry to RN, but not NP without first having a BSN.

This may not matter to you, OP, but might be worth keeping in mind because there is a big difference.

There are quite a few of these programs now. They typically have an accelerated BSN and then you go straight to the NP program - but you apply and get accepted to both.

 

[Hands1411]

You are probably looking at 10 yrs, and as time passes you should really start moving towards one direction, as entrance level exams are different for both.

Well wishes.