Any RN applying this year?

[Newtonian21]

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I’m an RN who started this journey in 2015, I’m going to take my MCAT in March. Just seeing what’s out there, any RN applying this cycle? Could share thoughts/ ideas. Thanks!

 

[Itisnottoolate]

Hi,
I am a NP. I am taking the MCAT in August or September and plan to apply next year. Best of luck!

 

[RNthenDoc]

I matriculate in July. 🙂

 

[Newtonian21]

I matriculate in July. 🙂

Do you mean you already matriculated? Are you an MS1?

 

[Newtonian21]

Hi,
I am a NP. I am taking the MCAT in August or September and plan to apply next year. Best of luck!

Thanks for the wish, glad to see someone out in same boat as me. Im not asking why NP to MD, since I do not know how being an NP feels like but best of luck to you too.

 

[RNthenDoc]

Do you mean you already matriculated? Are you an MS1?

Nope, I will matriculate this summer. I’m an MS0.

 

[Newtonian21]

Nope, I will matriculate this summer. I’m an MS0.

That’s nice. So you already got accepted. Any advise for me? Mcat, gpa, and interview process. How many years you practiced as a nurse?

 

[RNthenDoc]

That’s nice. So you already got accepted. Any advise for me? Mcat, gpa, and interview process. How many years you practiced as a nurse?

Been in the game nearing a decade (started young)

Most stuff you can figure out on your own (you will have a much easier time with a >3.5 GPA, especially science), but one thing I wish I would have done is taken more time and gone slower. It’s worth putting things off a year if it means you get perfect grades and a high (>510) MCAT.

For example: I did Ochem 1 by itself and aced it. In Ochem 2 I had a full load of tough classes and wound up with a B in the lecture. My cGPA ended up being great, but having too many Bs can really sting, especially when you know you are capable of better.

It is HARD to do premed work while practicing as an RN in a busy, high-stress job. Few people understand what an undertaking it is. Many people on boards like these fail, and that’s WITHOUT the added stress of seeing people die on days you aren’t in class!

Of course every nurse is different, every job is different, and ever school plan is different. You have to focus and be very dedicated.

 

[Newtonian21]

Been in the game nearing a decade (started young)

Most stuff you can figure out on your own (you will have a much easier time with a >3.5 GPA, especially science), but one thing I wish I would have done is taken more time and gone slower. It’s worth putting things off a year if it means you get perfect grades and a high (>510) MCAT.

For example: I did Ochem 1 by itself and aced it. In Ochem 2 I had a full load of tough classes and wound up with a B in the lecture. My cGPA ended up being great, but having too many Bs can really sting, especially when you know you are capable of better.

It is HARD to do premed work while practicing as an RN in a busy, high-stress job. Few people understand what an undertaking it is. Many people on boards like these fail, and that’s WITHOUT the added stress of seeing people die on days you aren’t in class!

Of course every nurse is different, every job is different, and ever school plan is different. You have to focus and be very dedicated.

Thanks. What were your score when you applied? I have a couple B’s and B+. Studying for the MCAT now.

 

[Eccesignum]

M2 former RN checking in (you know me from PMs 😀).

Once piece of advice at application stage, and this really goes for anyone already in a healthcare field, is to get extra eyes on your essays. It's very easy for us to (often unintentionally) come off as overly critical of medicine and of doctors. Many of us have been in situations with doctors that've made us cringe, and it's tempting to write about how we'd NEVER act like THAT. But there's a fine balance to be struck between letting adcoms know about our experience -- that it truly does have an impact on our future behavior -- and coming off as a know-it-all. Such a careful balance, in fact, that we often can't detect the attitude in our writing until someone else points it out.

We have a great set of skill and patient experience to bring to the table, and believe me many interviewers will want to talk about it. Start thinking now about what your angle is going to be -- why you're leaving nursing (you'll be asked this guaranteed), why you didn't go NP instead (you'll be asked this too), what you learned, how you think your role in a team is going to change, why you think your background will help you as a doctor, etc.

 

[KdotLB]

.

 

[Newtonian21]

M2 former RN checking in (you know me from PMs 😀).

Once piece of advice at application stage, and this really goes for anyone already in a healthcare field, is to get extra eyes on your essays. It's very easy for us to (often unintentionally) come off as overly critical of medicine and of doctors. Many of us have been in situations with doctors that've made us cringe, and it's tempting to write about how we'd NEVER act like THAT. But there's a fine balance to be struck between letting adcoms know about our experience -- that it truly does have an impact on our future behavior -- and coming off as a know-it-all. Such a careful balance, in fact, that we often can't detect the attitude in our writing until someone else points it out.

We have a great set of skill and patient experience to bring to the table, and believe me many interviewers will want to talk about it. Start thinking now about what your angle is going to be -- why you're leaving nursing (you'll be asked this guaranteed), why you didn't go NP instead (you'll be asked this too), what you learned, how you think your role in a team is going to change, why you think your background will help you as a doctor, etc.

Thank you! You’ve been great!

 

[Itisnottoolate]

M2 former RN checking in (you know me from PMs 😀).

Once piece of advice at application stage, and this really goes for anyone already in a healthcare field, is to get extra eyes on your essays. It's very easy for us to (often unintentionally) come off as overly critical of medicine and of doctors. Many of us have been in situations with doctors that've made us cringe, and it's tempting to write about how we'd NEVER act like THAT. But there's a fine balance to be struck between letting adcoms know about our experience -- that it truly does have an impact on our future behavior -- and coming off as a know-it-all. Such a careful balance, in fact, that we often can't detect the attitude in our writing until someone else points it out.

We have a great set of skill and patient experience to bring to the table, and believe me many interviewers will want to talk about it. Start thinking now about what your angle is going to be -- why you're leaving nursing (you'll be asked this guaranteed), why you didn't go NP instead (you'll be asked this too), what you learned, how you think your role in a team is going to change, why you think your background will help you as a doctor, etc.

Hi,
I am an NP. Total 10 years experience between ED nursing and NP practice.
Do you still recommend volunteer work? I don't have any at this point. How important is it for a non traditional student? Thank you!

 

[Newtonian21]

Hi,
I am an NP. Total 10 years experience between ED nursing and NP practice.
Do you still recommend volunteer work? I don't have any at this point. How important is it for a non traditional student? Thank you!

I think Eccesignum will answer this. She might have experience of people who applied without any volunteer experience.

 

[Eccesignum]

Hi,
I am an NP. Total 10 years experience between ED nursing and NP practice.
Do you still recommend volunteer work? I don't have any at this point. How important is it for a non traditional student? Thank you!

I recommend it for anyone, with the caveat that it should be fluid with the story you're telling about who you are and what you care about. What you shouldn't do is suddenly just start randomly volunteering at a bunch of one-shot deals. If you're still a ways out from applying, find something that you actually enjoy and commit to doing it long-term (up until the start of med school anyway). Since we already are chock full of clinical experience, volunteering doesn't have to be medical...long as it's dealing with human beings. It's becoming hip (in a good way) to look for applicants that are not only interested in medicine but also have a desire to serve, even when it's not for money.

If you're really hard up for time in your busy work schedule I would say it isn't absolutely die-hard essential...adcoms know the difference between someone lacking volunteering because they're 22 and lazy versus someone who's busy with jobs and family and real life. But there are quite a few schools that do look specifically for people who seem drawn to altruism and public service. And they look for a pattern, not just one or two random volunteer days. So if it's crossed you mind that 'you know, I've always been interested in Habitat for Humanity (or whatever)' now is a really good time to consider getting involved for a solid stretch.

 

[beachesandbackroads]

I'm a RN in an Emergency Department and I'm hoping to apply in 2019.

I don't have the option of working less than full time, but I'm working only Fri-Sun so that I can attend class during the week. I've also been volunteering at the local homeless shelter, which has been a lot of fun. I see many of my former patients there, but they have no idea who I am. 🙂 I think that finding a volunteer gig that speaks to you is worth the energy, because I am enjoying this a lot more than previous volunteer positions I have held.

Balancing work, school, and life is hard, but it's nothing compared to the helpless feeling of sitting on the sidelines wishing I was a doctor...

 

[Itisnottoolate]

I recommend it for anyone, with the caveat that it should be fluid with the story you're telling about who you are and what you care about. What you shouldn't do is suddenly just start randomly volunteering at a bunch of one-shot deals. If you're still a ways out from applying, find something that you actually enjoy and commit to doing it long-term (up until the start of med school anyway). Since we already are chock full of clinical experience, volunteering doesn't have to be medical...long as it's dealing with human beings. It's becoming hip (in a good way) to look for applicants that are not only interested in medicine but also have a desire to serve, even when it's not for money.

If you're really hard up for time in your busy work schedule I would say it isn't absolutely die-hard essential...adcoms know the difference between someone lacking volunteering because they're 22 and lazy versus someone who's busy with jobs and family and real life. But there are quite a few schools that do look specifically for people who seem drawn to altruism and public service. And they look for a pattern, not just one or two random volunteer days. So if it's crossed you mind that 'you know, I've always been interested in Habitat for Humanity (or whatever)' now is a really good time to consider getting involved for a solid stretch.

Thank you so much!

 

[keepit100]

I an RN in Critical Care also planning on taking the MCAT in August 2018. Hello everyone! Let's keep this thread going.

 

[RNtoMD87]

M2 former RN checking in (you know me from PMs 😀).

Once piece of advice at application stage, and this really goes for anyone already in a healthcare field, is to get extra eyes on your essays. It's very easy for us to (often unintentionally) come off as overly critical of medicine and of doctors. Many of us have been in situations with doctors that've made us cringe, and it's tempting to write about how we'd NEVER act like THAT. But there's a fine balance to be struck between letting adcoms know about our experience -- that it truly does have an impact on our future behavior -- and coming off as a know-it-all. Such a careful balance, in fact, that we often can't detect the attitude in our writing until someone else points it out.

We have a great set of skill and patient experience to bring to the table, and believe me many interviewers will want to talk about it. Start thinking now about what your angle is going to be -- why you're leaving nursing (you'll be asked this guaranteed), why you didn't go NP instead (you'll be asked this too), what you learned, how you think your role in a team is going to change, why you think your background will help you as a doctor, etc.

What is the best type of answer to give as to "Why did you go from nursing to MD?"

I feel like my truthful answer is that I feel in many ways nursing is subjective and nonscientific, and I want a greater base of knowledge and deeper understanding as well as greater responsibility. I don't look down on nursing, and have a great deal of respect for them, but I am a more "scientific" thinker than an emotional thinker. I would never take back my nursing experience because it strengthened one of my weakest points, but I really don't want to continue down this path for the rest of my life.