Another Nurse to Doc Thread

[studentnurse]

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Posted this in the Pre-Allo forum and got a suggestion that I may find some more replies/advice/suggestions on this forum:

Hi everyone

I've been a lurker here for a while now, every since I realized that being a physician is what I want to do with my life.

I am currently in a BSN program (only 2 semesters left ), but I now realize, by observing both the doctors and the nurses in the hospital/clinical setting, that I would much more enjoy being a physician.


I plan to finish my current degree for a slew of reasons: I'm so close to completion, I'm 24 and it's time to move out of mom and dad's place, you need a 4-year degree for med school, I'll need a job while I complete the rest of the prereqs for med school, ect...

My current GPA is: Overall - 3.55
Non-science - 3.55
Science - 3.53

I figure I'll have clinical experience in the bag as I'll be working as a nurse for about 2 years to complete the prereqs and take the MCAT, I haven't done any research but would consider it if the time and opportunity presents itself, I am also an active member/officer in the campus student nurse association.

I know I'll have to raise my GPA and get involved in a few more ECs/volunteer programs; I also plan to shadow some doctors in my area once I'm done with nursing school.

The whole point is that I'm finally posting to get some advice/comments/suggestions about how I should progress. I know there are some nursing students on these boards who've gone into nursing knowing that their true goal is being a physician, but I'm not trying to use nursing as a "stepping stone", I both like and respect the profession of nursing, but I will never truly be happy doing it.

Also I'm interest in going to school here at South Alabama, any South med students here to give me some guidance.

 

[mx_599]

Posted this in the Pre-Allo forum and got a suggestion that I may find some more replies/advice/suggestions on this forum:

Hi everyone

Welcome...I don't know if you really want a reply from me, but I figured I would. Your stats look great. I think you're definitely headed in the right direction. I wouldn't worry about research at all...especially if you're working quite a few hours as an RN while getting some of those other classes done. It will be great experience...second to none.

Do you need many science classes? I would push to do everything in a year or so if you can. For instance...you don't really need O-chem II before you take the MCAT. In fact, you could be finishing up O-chem II while you are in the application process. You just simply report your grades to the Medical colleges when you get them. Same with Bio....if you already know quite a bit of that...you might be able to delay that until after the MCAT as well.

I think the most important to have before the MCAT would be Chem I and Chem II, Phys I and Phys II, and finally O-chem I.

In conclusion, if you can coordinate these classes accordingly, you could very well be prepared to take the MCAT sooner than you thought. This way if you goof up on it, you will be able to take it again all within the original time frame that you mention.

Don't forget that the MCAT will be on computer when you take it I think. There might also be more times per yr to take it. You'll have to investigate that at the AAMC site in the future.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[studentnurse]

Hi Mx

I do have quite a few prereqs left to take. I only have Bio.I, Chem.I, and Pre-calculus. I actually might have ot retake Chem.I, not only because I got a C in it, but also because it was 5 years ago and I might need a refresher).

I was also wondering would it be a good idea to shadow a couple of physicians on top of my nursing clinical experience?

Hey is your avatar a picture of Jules Asner, how used to be on that Wild on E! show?

 

[mx_599]

Hi Mx

I do have quite a few prereqs left to take. I only have Bio.I, Chem.I, and Pre-calculus. I actually might have ot retake Chem.I, not only because I got a C in it, but also because it was 5 years ago and I might need a refresher).

Still, I think if you plan your classes right you will be better off. Did my suggestions make sense? Some just are not as critical before the MCAT as others in my opinion. You don't need any of them for the Verbal section.

I wouldn't re-take Chem I. Just sign up for Chem II and look up the stuff you need to as you go. Much of it will come back to you. Maybe get a Kaplan MCAT book and study the Chem I stuff before Chem II starts. Don't worry about the C. You have plenty of science classes coming up to do well in. All that Table of Periodic stuff will come back to you. 5 years is fine 🙂

I was also wondering would it be a good idea to shadow a couple of physicians on top of my nursing clinical experience?

My opinion...don't even worry about shadowing! You'll be woking with plenty of docs. Find the friendly young ones to write you a Letter of Rec. They'll be more likely to remember how it was. Even for the DO letter/shdowing. As an MA, I worked so close with one of the DOs, it was pointless to technically shadow. Just find a DO where you work and get the letter from them too.

Hey is your avatar a picture of Jules Asner, how used to be on that Wild on E! show?

Nope...hehehe Hint, she is an Angel for Victoria's Secret 😛

 

[studentnurse]

Mx: I hear ya loud and clear about getting the classes I need for the MCAT out of the way then worry about the rest afterwards. I also think I may not re-take Chem.I and just get one of those "Made Incredibly Easy" or "For Dummies" books about it to refresh my memory.

Megboo: Hey you went to South! How long ago? How was it? Any tips on what their adcom likes to see? 🙂

 

[blueslady]

Hello All, I just found this forum today while looking into some medical school specifics. If anyone gets this message I was wondering mostly if I am too old to start med school as I will be 27 or 28 when I will be ready. Also, I am a nursing student who feels I will not be fulfilled by nursing, but more so by working as a doctor, but I feel I should finish the degree anyway. I am the Regional President of an honor society in Missouri at my school, but my grades are not fantastic, I believe I have a 3.3 GPA right now. I would like some input on raising this GPA. It was a lot better before I started nursing school. Besides GPA I have a lot of leadership potential, I am both a driven and motivated person, and I adore public service. I think these attributes may help in my endevor but am not sure. I am also torn between becoming a D.O. or an M.D., the D.O. training sounds more like it would fit my personality, but I have only learned about it recently and do not want to put my family at risk if there are no jobs in that field. I am mostly looking to hear if anyone has any input for me, and perhaps encouragement to persue my dream. Thanks, Blueslady 🙂

 

[bnichols0330]

OP,

I am currently a MS-3 at USA, & would be happy to answer any ?'s you have about the school. I didn't do my undergrad at USA, but have been in Mobile for quite a few years.

Good luck.