Decisions decisions... help me please

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

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Okay, hey guys. I’m currently a college senior graduating in May. I have been on the pre-med track throughout college. But the road hasn’t been easy. To be completely frank, so you all will be able to better help me with this decision, I’m going to say how I did in my science classes. I took Bio 1 and Bio 2 at my home institution and got B’s in both (A’s in lab). I took gen chem 1 at my home institution and got a C- in the class and a B- in lab (took it again during the summer at community college and got an A). I had to withdraw from gen chem 2 (retook it during summer at CC and got an A). I withdrew from calculus-based physics 1 because I was failing, and I had to withdraw from Ochem 1 as well because I wouldn’t have passed. I know the W’s look bad, but I tried my best in those courses before I made that decision. I also to microbiology and got a B (C+ in lab :/) and I got B’s in A&P 1 and 2. I have a lot of prerequisites left to take and I am trying to decide whether or not to do a post bacc or a direct entry NP program. I’ve already applied to the NP programs and won’t hear back until a few months. The issue I’m having is that I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, but being realistic, I’m not the best at science and the costs of these post bacc programs are just too expensive. At least with the NP program I could apply for an NHSC scholarship which would allow me to go for free. So what do you guys think? Should I keep trying, or just do the NP. I’m also concerned about how saturated nursing is getting. So yeah lol, I don’t know what to do. Any advice is helpful. Thanks!

 

[theKingLT]

Okay, hey guys. I’m currently a college senior graduating in May. I have been on the pre-med track throughout college. But the road hasn’t been easy. To be completely frank, so you all will be able to better help me with this decision, I’m going to say how I did in my science classes. I took Bio 1 and Bio 2 at my home institution and got B’s in both (A’s in lab). I took gen chem 1 at my home institution and got a C- in the class and a B- in lab (took it again during the summer at community college and got an A). I had to withdraw from gen chem 2 (retook it during summer at CC and got an A). I withdrew from calculus-based physics 1 because I was failing, and I had to withdraw from Ochem 1 as well because I wouldn’t have passed. I know the W’s look bad, but I tried my best in those courses before I made that decision. I also to microbiology and got a B (C+ in lab :/) and I got B’s in A&P 1 and 2. I have a lot of prerequisites left to take and I am trying to decide whether or not to do a post bacc or a direct entry NP program. I’ve already applied to the NP programs and won’t hear back until a few months. The issue I’m having is that I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, but being realistic, I’m not the best at science and the costs of these post bacc programs are just too expensive. At least with the NP program I could apply for an NHSC scholarship which would allow me to go for free. So what do you guys think? Should I keep trying, or just do the NP. I’m also concerned about how saturated nursing is getting. So yeah lol, I don’t know what to do. Any advice is helpful. Thanks!

So what are your gpa's? I'm guessing no MCAT yet? And have you shadowed an NP and a physician? They are quite different in their roles and capabilities.

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

So what are your gpa's? I'm guessing no MCAT yet? And have you shadowed an NP and a physician? They are quite different in their roles and capabilities.

My cGPA is a 3.46, sGPA is 3.11. I have shadowed a pediatrician but not an NP. I haven’t taken the MCAT yet as I haven’t finished the prerequisites.

 

[Damson]

GRE?

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

GRE?

I haven’t taken it yet. I’ll probably take it in the summer

 

[C Smith]

Do some shadowing and get some clinical experience. If you are serious about becoming a NP try being a CNA first. I really agree with theKingLT said about different roles.

 

[theKingLT]

My cGPA is a 3.46, sGPA is 3.11. I have shadowed a pediatrician but not an NP. I haven’t taken the MCAT yet as I haven’t finished the prerequisites.

As mentioned, do some more shadowing of both fields to figure out what you want to do. Med school is still an option, but you will need to figure out why you haven't done so well in your science courses and fix these issues before you do the rest of your prereqs. It's common for pre-meds to be do worse in the math-based sciences like it appears happened with you, but the ones that get into med school find a way to get at least B's in the tougher classes and A's in the bio classes where they're stronger.

I'm not familiar with the NP application process, but I've heard it's pretty easy to get into a program, just maybe not the better programs.

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

As mentioned, do some more shadowing of both fields to figure out what you want to do. Med school is still an option, but you will need to figure out why you haven't done so well in your science courses and fix these issues before you do the rest of your prereqs. It's common for pre-meds to be do worse in the math-based sciences like it appears happened with you, but the ones that get into med school find a way to get at least B's in the tougher classes and A's in the bio classes where they're stronger.

I'm not familiar with the NP application process, but I've heard it's pretty easy to get into a program, just maybe not the better programs.

Yeah I agree. Thank you!

 

[LizzyM]

Given the circumstances, I'd recommend shadowing an NP and determining whether that feels like a good fit for you. If so, go for it.

 

[DocOrBust2019]

If you decide to be a mid-level, I'd probably suggest PA over NP. Greater flexibility in specialties is nice.

You should shadow a PA/NP and a doctor and make your decision. As a PA/NP you will be capable of providing great care for many patients, but you will never have the depth or breadth of knowledge that a doctor has. You will also not ever be the final decision maker. If that's cool with you, then mid level may be the way to go.

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

Given the circumstances, I'd recommend shadowing an NP and determining whether that feels like a good fit for you. If so, go for it.

Thank you!

 

[The REAL Doc McStuffins]

If you decide to be a mid-level, I'd probably suggest PA over NP. Greater flexibility in specialties is nice.

You should shadow a PA/NP and a doctor and make your decision. As a PA/NP you will be capable of providing great care for many patients, but you will never have the depth or breadth of knowledge that a doctor has. You will also not ever be the final decision maker. If that's cool with you, then mid level may be the way to go.

Yeah, I thought about PA, but the prerequisites are basically the same and I haven’t finished them. But I’ll definitely shadow!