Hi, I graduated with my BSN, RN a few years back and I am now a registered nurse. I graduated with A's and B's (magna cum laude 3.8) for my undergrad, but made the mistake of taking Organic Chemistry during a 4 week accelerated session at another university and received a D despite studying whole-heartedly for every exam (they came weekly and I didn't take the lab, it was "thankfully" closed at the start of the summer). I usually have had much success with summer courses, at one point taking A & P I, II, Microbiology, and a social science course concurrently during one busy summer session. I am now discouraged and have not taken a course since the horrendous Orgo class a year ago (I even stopped studying as diligently as before Orgo for the new 2015 MCAT's even though I studied hard and passed the NCLEX-RN exam the first time I took it). I usually try to stay positive and have overcome odds since I did not graduate high school and received my GED after starting college, but this D has really been playing mind games with me. I am planning on retaking Organic this fall at the university where I received my nursing degree and finish with Physics, Biochemistry, and an additional Bio class (applying for the 2017 Med school incoming class at age 30). Any advice with how to proceed w/my pre-reqs and applications for Medical School? (FYI, I am not looking at Ivy league schools, primarily state schools and/or private institutions in CA and the South.) A buddy graduated from UPENN's M.D. program just up the road from me in 2011, but his MCAT scores were off the charts. I am hoping to score above the average curve for the new exams when I take them later this year (thinking September) or early next year (2016). It may not sound like it, but I am not one to give up on my academic studies. I want to become a doctor, ironically nursing school showed me that fact even though I would never suggest going to nursing school prior to starting an M.D. or D.O. program- the studying is different and the process is draining- I'll apply to Med schools until I've exhausted every last resource. Thank you for any advice/suggestions/tips/constructive but diplomatic criticism/etc.
BSN, RN Nurse Interested in M.D. or D.O. Progs but Need Pre-Reqs
- Thread starter AnnaRH
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The MCAT and NCLEX are two different things. NCLEX is pretty easy IMO due to its being a test for a very diverse set of education standards. My advice would be to work hard through the course work, establish strong working relationships with physicians, and apply broadly. Nursing experience will be seen as a positive but you will need to explain why you decided to make the transition from nursing to medicine. Most ADCOMs realize the difficulty of organic. All the best. Also don't rush any of the course work, get the grades, and try not to worry about time.
