How and why?

[Ottalie]

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I'm currently a RN working towards my BSN. I've been seriously thinking about completing the pre-med courses as post-bacc work and applying to medical school. (This is not popular with the director of the nursing program nor with my fellow nursing students BTW) Many of the other students are planning on pursuing a MSN to become a NP. I have also thought about taking that path. My greatest problem is that I am single and need to support myself. I'm not sure I would be able to afford to live and attend medical school. Also I will be 25 very soon and worry about taking on such a long educational path as medical school since I still have to complete some of the pre-med course work and take the MCAT.
I would really like to know from nurses who have gone on to medical school, why did you choose medical school over being a NP?
Plus is there anyone else who can offer advice on the financial burden?

Thanks for any advice!
Ottie 🙂

 

[Bandit]

25!!!!!???? Dear, you are a babe in arms. Please do not allow anxiety about age and long terms creep into your head.

Debt sucks, but it is numbers on a ledger. You must go into debt to succeed today be it in school or buissness.

Also, I was under the impression an RN could not become an NP without a certain amount of clinical experience. could be wrong though. Think long and hard about med school.

 

[dermpa02]

My greatest problem is that I am single and need to support myself. I'm not sure I would be able to afford to live and attend medical school.

The med schools will have financial aid offices staffed with people who are very experienced in finding the money you will need. The hard part isn't getting the money - it's getting in! You just have to be willing to take on debt, which for people in your situation, is about the only possible option....

good luck,
PhilR.

 

[lloydchristmas]

I'm currently a RN working towards my BSN. I've been seriously thinking about completing the pre-med courses as post-bacc work and applying to medical school. (This is not popular with the director of the nursing program nor with my fellow nursing students BTW) Many of the other students are planning on pursuing a MSN to become a NP. I have also thought about taking that path. My greatest problem is that I am single and need to support myself. I'm not sure I would be able to afford to live and attend medical school. Also I will be 25 very soon and worry about taking on such a long educational path as medical school since I still have to complete some of the pre-med course work and take the MCAT.
I would really like to know from nurses who have gone on to medical school, why did you choose medical school over being a NP?
Plus is there anyone else who can offer advice on the financial burden?

Thanks for any advice!
Ottie 🙂

I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago and chose to go to NP school. And, that was at a time when I was about 6 mos away from BS in chemistry/biology so I had to go backwards to get a BSN to go to NP school. Someone mentioned clinical experience for NP, which is true in most cases (1-2 years). I talked my school into letting me in right out of BSN.

Why do this? Although it would be nice to be a MD right now especially in my state, my particular situation with the MD I'm with is great for me. I'm pretty much completely autonomous and practice in a setting I wanted in the first place. I do everything I wanted to do in medicine and it's nice to have someone to pass the buck to if something is uncomfortable (although you could just refer out and get by that one). I work Mon-Fri 8-5 with no call, no weekend, no holidays. I make 6 figures and my student loan debt is about 1/4 what it would've been had I gone to the private med school I was looking at going to. I saved myself at least 4 years of internship/residency and the lost wages/compiling interest on student loan debt that goes with it. And, my malpractice is $850/year.

I had this explained to me by the doctor that I'm with now 5 years ago, and I just couldn't turn it down. Plus, I have a sweet baby girl and it would kill me to be away from her more than I already am.

Even with all this, it would be nice to be the MD and be the go-to guy. NP is a great way to go if you have your **** lined out and want to practice primary care or non-surgical. If you want to be a surgeon, there's no other way to come close other than MD/DO.

Hope this helps... I wish I had this information at the beginning of undergrad. It would've saved me a couple years of tough science classes such as o chem.

 

[tupac_don]

I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago and chose to go to NP school. And, that was at a time when I was about 6 mos away from BS in chemistry/biology so I had to go backwards to get a BSN to go to NP school. Someone mentioned clinical experience for NP, which is true in most cases (1-2 years). I talked my school into letting me in right out of BSN.

Why do this? Although it would be nice to be a MD right now especially in my state, my particular situation with the MD I'm with is great for me. I'm pretty much completely autonomous and practice in a setting I wanted in the first place. I do everything I wanted to do in medicine and it's nice to have someone to pass the buck to if something is uncomfortable (although you could just refer out and get by that one). I work Mon-Fri 8-5 with no call, no weekend, no holidays. I make 6 figures and my student loan debt is about 1/4 what it would've been had I gone to the private med school I was looking at going to. I saved myself at least 4 years of internship/residency and the lost wages/compiling interest on student loan debt that goes with it. And, my malpractice is $850/year.

I had this explained to me by the doctor that I'm with now 5 years ago, and I just couldn't turn it down. Plus, I have a sweet baby girl and it would kill me to be away from her more than I already am.

Even with all this, it would be nice to be the MD and be the go-to guy. NP is a great way to go if you have your **** lined out and want to practice primary care or non-surgical. If you want to be a surgeon, there's no other way to come close other than MD/DO.

Hope this helps... I wish I had this information at the beginning of undergrad. It would've saved me a couple years of tough science classes such as o chem.

How about PA's they can do surgery??? They assist, but they still do surgery.

 

[Ottalie]

Thanks for the advice from everyone.
I know that getting in is indeed the hardest part, however when trying to make a decision as to which path to take money is (at this time) one of the greatest considerations. When I spoke with the pre-med advisor at my college he kept bringing up the fact I'm a non-traditional and reminding me of the time and money commitment in a very negative way. Maybe that's why I've become so concerned with my age and money situation.
I have talked with several NPs and keep getting mixed responses. Most of them love their job but have advised me that I should at least try to go to medical school.
I suppose the best way to feel this whole thing out is to spend a couple days shadowing with a NP and a MD. Hopefully that way I can get a better grasp on which profession suits me.
BTW- I'm really glad I found this forum, it's good to know I'm not the only one out there who is struggling with what I want to be when I grow-up 😛

 

[NoAngel]

Thanks for the advice from everyone.
I know that getting in is indeed the hardest part, however when trying to make a decision as to which path to take money is (at this time) one of the greatest considerations. When I spoke with the pre-med advisor at my college he kept bringing up the fact I'm a non-traditional and reminding me of the time and money commitment in a very negative way. Maybe that's why I've become so concerned with my age and money situation.
I have talked with several NPs and keep getting mixed responses. Most of them love their job but have advised me that I should at least try to go to medical school.
I suppose the best way to feel this whole thing out is to spend a couple days shadowing with a NP and a MD. Hopefully that way I can get a better grasp on which profession suits me.
BTW- I'm really glad I found this forum, it's good to know I'm not the only one out there who is struggling with what I want to be when I grow-up 😛

Well, I've got a decade at least on you, and I'm still struggling with the idea of NP/PA. If you want to be a doc, 25 is a great age. Do you have kids/SO to worry about? If not, you'll live on coffee and cafeteria food anyway once you're in residency.

I have known many PA's/NP's who later decided to go to medical school. I've known nurses who decided to go to medical school. Our family practice doc started med school at 40, with a wife and two kids to support, and he's got a bedside manner that should be patented and sold to incoming medical students. Because he has real life experience and many jobs in his past, he is in touch with his patients' experiences. You can't get that when you're 18 or 19. All of the docs in the practice were non-traditional students, and it makes a very big difference in the approach to medicine they practice. Perhaps your advisor frowns upon nurses who decide to go to medical school; I've heard from several previous RN-to-MD's that they had to walk thru this ring of fire also. I wouldn't let it stop me if I was set upon that course.

Bottom line: 25 is a great age to start the process to go to medical school. You will have maturity and life experience to talk about. Make your own decision, and don't let any one person's opinion make a difference for you one way or the other. NP's have a focus built on the nursing process which differs from PA's and traditional MD's. Find the path that's right for you, and decide what is best for you.

 

[lloydchristmas]

How about PA's they can do surgery??? They assist, but they still do surgery.

So do RNs, techs, etc etc. Sure, a NP or PA could close the incision but when it comes down to it, the doc's the real deal in the surgery category. No way to replace a hip or CABG someone unless you are a doctor.

 

[jetskiters]

BTW- I'm really glad I found this forum, it's good to know I'm not the only one out there who is struggling with what I want to be when I grow-up 😛

same feeling here. 😳 🙂

 

[deleted6669]

So do RNs, techs, etc etc. Sure, a NP or PA could close the incision but when it comes down to it, the doc's the real deal in the surgery category. No way to replace a hip or CABG someone unless you are a doctor.

There area few outpt minor surgical clinics where pa's do "surgical procedures" without an md present. granted we are not talking about a cabg here....one place in san diego uses the criteria " any procedure taking less than 20 minutes and not requiring general anesthesia"
so lots of fb removal with fluoro, paracentesis,thoracentesis, fx reduction, cyst removal. one derm pa I know of even does MOHS procedures with flaps, etc

 

[RNnowDoclater]

I I make 6 figures and my student loan debt is about 1/4 what it would've been had I gone to the private med school I was looking at going to. I saved myself at least 4 years of internship/residency and the lost wages/compiling interest on student loan debt that goes with it. And, my malpractice is $850/year.

.

How in the world do you make six figures a year as an NP? You must have a sweet practice thing going on. It seems like NPs don't make that much but I know that in the right situation six figures should be quite doable no?!

 

[Sinnman]

Why? Because I wanted to be a doctor. I didn't want to feel like I was playing doctor for the rest of my career. I also wanted more in depth knowledge.

If you want to be a doctor, go to medical school.

You're certainly not too old. There are many people who are in a similar position. I treated medical school like a job (albeit with a lot of overtime).

The debt load is heavy, but you will be able to pay it back. Try to go to a state school so you will have some money to live decently.

If you really want it, I say go for it.

 

[hospPA]

I treated medical school like a job (albeit with a lot of overtime).

Job? Pretty sh#@ty job that makes you pay $30k a year for working 40+ hours a week

Seriously though, if you think you need to become a doctor to practice medicine the way that makes you happy, then you should do it.

Pat

 

[Freeeedom!]

My input...Become a physician if you wish to practice medicine and recieve the appropriate training to do so (including residency)...there are no shortcuts. Otherwise, choose to be a Physician Assistant, I have had fairly good experiences with PA's and their model of learning is similar to medicine and is taught by Physicians. I personally have had poor experiences with NP's and have found their clinical experience lacking...If practicing medicine is what you want to do, go to medical school (just one person's opinion)
You are just starting your career and you are at a fork in the road...don't let age be factor. Never think "what if

As for malpractice...with increasing practice rights and independence...so goes the malpractice costs (up up up). Personally, taking a short cut (as was suggested by the individual above) is perhaps not the BEST was to describe their career path. Taking a detour around a longer academic process and residency process for the sake of "saving money and time"...does no one any good and is very near sighted.

 

[PACtoDOC]

I have never met anyone who truly decided not to go to medical school because of the money issue. It usually is just a cover up for a subconscious realization that you don't wish to endure 7 long years minimum of challenge. I mean seriously, do you know any situation where becoming an NP at age 25 would be more financially feasible than becoming a physician? I sure can't see it. My guess is that you have the real answer to your own question deep within you already.

 

[lloydchristmas]

There area few outpt minor surgical clinics where pa's do "surgical procedures" without an md present. granted we are not talking about a cabg here....one place in san diego uses the criteria " any procedure taking less than 20 minutes and not requiring general anesthesia"
so lots of fb removal with fluoro, paracentesis,thoracentesis, fx reduction, cyst removal. one derm pa I know of even does MOHS procedures with flaps, etc

I do all this stuff too. When I was speaking of surgeries I meant in hospital major procedures requiring general anesth (ortho, GI, thoracic, etc)

 

[Bandit]

vein harvesting takes longer than 20 minutes and last I check---general anesthesia. We do these (well used to now others do) way befor the CT surg even scubs

 

[Happy613]

I'm currently a RN working towards my BSN. I've been seriously thinking about completing the pre-med courses as post-bacc work and applying to medical school. (This is not popular with the director of the nursing program nor with my fellow nursing students BTW) Many of the other students are planning on pursuing a MSN to become a NP. I have also thought about taking that path. My greatest problem is that I am single and need to support myself. I'm not sure I would be able to afford to live and attend medical school. Also I will be 25 very soon and worry about taking on such a long educational path as medical school since I still have to complete some of the pre-med course work and take the MCAT.
I would really like to know from nurses who have gone on to medical school, why did you choose medical school over being a NP?
Plus is there anyone else who can offer advice on the financial burden?

Thanks for any advice!
Ottie 🙂

Hey,

Go to medical school 🙂 I was told that the average age of a 1st year medical student in the US is 27. That might be wrong, but judging from my class it seems to be pretty on target.

NP and PA are great proffessions, but you have to realize its not the same as being a doctor. Everyone who needs it gets loans for medical school, and its by far the majority of us. Most of my friends (myself included) are doing it all on loans and its really not a problem. Were not living extravagently but there is enough money for rent, car, food and going out every so often. Its really not that bad.


Good luck!

 

[klubguts]

Ottalie:

I was in a similar position about six years ago. I was 25 yo, working as an RN at a busy hospital. I chose to pursue an MD over advanced practice nursing because I really wanted to achieve the depth of knowledge and autonomy of an MD. My perception at the time was that an NP degree may limit my career options to primary care (i don't think this is necessarily true, but it's what i was thinking) and i really was very interested in surgery. I completed my post-bacc work in the following two years and took the MCAT. I was able to work full-time during my postbac years which helped me to save some money. Landed a spot at a good med school and have had an awesome experience. Money has been a little tight (esp. compared to a fulltime RN salary), but getting loans is no problem once you are in med school. I certainly wouldn't let some debt get in the way if your goal is to get your MD. Graduating from med school in three weeks and fixin' to start my general surgery residency.....no regrets here. Best of luck in making your decision, as it is a difficult one.

 

[awdc]

Ottalie,

Don't let the cost of medical school be a concern. Medical students get loans handed to them like candy to a kid on Halloween. The financial aid package you will receive in medical school should cover your entire costs of living (unless you plan on living like you're already a doctor). If you don't have things like mortgage, car payments, etc. you should be totally fine. If you do have car payments or such, you just learn to budget even better.

With regards to MD/DO vs NP, you have to find out what it is that you want and what your priorities are. Age shouldn't be a factor (especially if you're 25 now) if what you want is to be a physician. Just realize that it will take a minimum of seven years before you can be out on your own. However, that doesn't mean that your life has to on hold either.

I entered medical school when I was 28 and I did consider becoming a PA at one point because of the time factor. But if you really want to practice at the highest level, there's no way around the depth and breadth of med school and residency. Best wishes in your decision.