Help me explain why MD

[agilitydogRN]

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Let me preface this by saying that this I don't want this to turn into a nurse bashing post...PLEASE.

I am a current practicing cardiothoracic surgical ICU nurse, and I am getting ready to submit my application to med school. As a non-trad, and as a nurse, I know that I am going to have some explaining to do as to why the career switch. My reasoning is that I much prefer the diagnostic/medical side of healthcare. I do like my job currently, but we have quite a bit more autonomy and respect than most nurses just due to the type of unit. I have always enjoyed education, and I knew after getting my nursing degree that I would go further with my education. As I researched options, CRNA was the only one that interested me in the slightest, but there was this nagging feeling that I would be happier as a doctor. I shadowed an intensivist at our hospital for a week and it was the best week of my life. I learned a ton and really enjoyed the management of the patients. I have also shadowed our CT surgeons and anesthesiologists multiple time, and I enjoyed aspects of what they do. I really LOVE the heart, and I love everything about the critical care environment. My problem is that I can't come up with a cohesive argument for why I want to pursue MD over advanced practice nursing. My gut says that If I write that I want to be the one managing the patients and making the clinical decisions that might be taken the wrong way. Any suggestions?

 

[AcclratngCharge]

You appear to know what you are getting into (shadowing, clinical RN work, etc.) so I don't think you should have too much trouble. The language of your personal essay will be critical, I don't think I would use the word 'manage' to describe how you will provide care for patients (although I think it may be accurate in some settings). I am applying to a school that prominently boasts of it's social conscience and community service, so the language needs to be true but not too cold (if that makes sense).

I wish you well in your application! I am trying to leave pharmacy school to enter medicine this year...I think there are just certain people that require more time and exposure to discover their passion for medicine.

By the way...if you want to compare/contrast personal essays,PM or something. I have a rough draft in which I use all of my 5300 to explain 'why now?'...

 

[Nasrudin]

Let me preface this by saying that this I don't want this to turn into a nurse bashing post...PLEASE.

I am a current practicing cardiothoracic surgical ICU nurse, and I am getting ready to submit my application to med school. As a non-trad, and as a nurse, I know that I am going to have some explaining to do as to why the career switch. My reasoning is that I much prefer the diagnostic/medical side of healthcare. I do like my job currently, but we have quite a bit more autonomy and respect than most nurses just due to the type of unit. I have always enjoyed education, and I knew after getting my nursing degree that I would go further with my education. As I researched options, CRNA was the only one that interested me in the slightest, but there was this nagging feeling that I would be happier as a doctor. I shadowed an intensivist at our hospital for a week and it was the best week of my life. I learned a ton and really enjoyed the management of the patients. I have also shadowed our CT surgeons and anesthesiologists multiple time, and I enjoyed aspects of what they do. I really LOVE the heart, and I love everything about the critical care environment. My problem is that I can't come up with a cohesive argument for why I want to pursue MD over advanced practice nursing. My gut says that If I write that I want to be the one managing the patients and making the clinical decisions that might be taken the wrong way. Any suggestions?

You seem prepared to tackle this question. You've thought it out more than most premeds have even come close to. Keep in mind many of your cohort have mixed up ideas about what there getting into. Whereas you've been ring side. Watching the thing blow by blow.

You've been to what I, yourself, and many others consider the pinnacle of nursing expertise and it's not enough. And you don't want to be limited to advanced nursing careers.

The sum total of all this is simple. Medical school is for you. Just make it plain and relate your decision process and you'll be fine. You don't have to put it in terms of authoritative decision making responsibility and risk upsetting--bless their bleeding hearts--the more sensitive application reader. You can phrase it in terms of maximum learning potential. A personal exploratory journey. Whatever feels right to you in relating it.

Though they are both different sides of the same coin. You can give them the softer spin. And still be exactly true to your own trajectory and goals.

Let us know how things go. Break a leg.

 

[brdmadgrl82]

Put it in terms of decision making! YOU want to make the decisions, YOU are excited about "solving, diagnosing, treating...

Keep a journal or make an outline of key points of things you want to talk about at the interview as well, especially because you are thinking about everything now (and not everything will fit in your personal statement).

Hope this helps?

(I have mine ready to go, I know exactly what I want to say in my interview but I still need to battle the MCAT and finish my post-bac)

Best of luck to you indeed 🙂

 

[TriagePreMed]

You can talk about the limitations that you find in your current job that you could do better as an MD. For example, I wanted to be a clinical psychologist and am now trying to pursue an MD to be a psychiatrist. I'm going to talk about how the MD has an extra resource: medication. I'm going to say that an MD has a much deeper understanding of the human body, so as an MD, I'm unlikely to diagnose something as a psychological illness when it may in fact be physical or neurological.