I am a senior and am wondering if a nursing major is frowned upon. Let's say there was a biology major vs a nursing major applying for med school with the same GPA and everything. Which would have the better chance?
Is nursing a bad choice for Pre-Med?
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Short answer: yes it's a bad idea to do a nursing major as a premed.
With that being said, it usually doesn't matter much to admission committees what u majored in, but rather the quality of classes you've taken. If you do a nursing major, some of your core classes might be considered subpar difficulty level-wise for some admissions committees. Same thing if you try and complete a bio major without taking the normal bio track courses (this option differs school by school, but was An option at my UG and those premeds who took the 'easy' Route did not get into to med school). Let me clear this is not a referendum on nursing education, but you might not be properly prepared for med school's admissions committees and most Likely won't be adequately prepared for the MCAT
the larger, more important issue however Is: do u want to be a nurse or Do u want to go to med school? Nursing should not be viewed as a means to an end for medical school, as You would be taking the job of another person who wants to work as a nurse for their career. We desperately NEED more nurses (and I hold nurses in the highest regard) and spots in nursing programs should go to those who will be practicing nurses in the longterm.
If you enjoy nursing but want to go to med school, I would suggest you:
1. Complete a certified nursing assistant training course at a local community college during your senior year ( if your hs allows it) or do this in the summer before UG. Then work As a CNA during undergrad (great patient contact, and med sch admissions committees LOVE it)
2. Do a bio major ( or any other major) but make sure u get a solid foundation in the biological sciences at least for the sake of your MCAT but also for the future.
3. Shadow physicians and nurses now or early on in your undergraduate career to decide what you enjoy most and plan accordingly. Being a nurse vs being a physician are two completely different careers, which are much less similar than you would think. Therefore, if you enjoy nursing, then do nursing, if u enjoy medicine, then do medicine- do what you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life!!
Good luck
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^ You got some good advice there.
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My pleasure, happy to help! I'd like to also mention that, as you go through your journey to med school or other, you should take every piece of advice with a grain of salt ( including the above) - no one person's advice will absolutely fit your unique situation and interests!
Finally, as someone who had many career paths in mind before deciding on medicine (optometry, then research, then paramedic, then public Heath, finally medicine!) follow your interests and things will work out for the best because you'll be doing what you want to be doing!
Any questions feel free to PM me
Finally, as someone who had many career paths in mind before deciding on medicine (optometry, then research, then paramedic, then public Heath, finally medicine!) follow your interests and things will work out for the best because you'll be doing what you want to be doing!
Any questions feel free to PM me
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If you are willing to work as a nurse for several years before applying to medical school, I think it would be a good idea (shows dedication to the medical field and also a familiarity with the medical system). Using nursing as a direct stepping stone might be problematic, though.
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That is very true. Majoring in nursing and subsequently applying to medical school will make you a career changer, which you have to justify very strongly in your application to be considered.
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Choose one path, either to nursing or medicine. I've met successful nurses who have chosen to become physicians, but that is not the usual path. The way nurses and physicians are trained, i.e. the way they approach clinical problems, is also different. Shadow both physician and nurses and choose the one path you like best.
Some of that depends on the area in which you work as a professional RN.
But having done critical care nursing for many years now, we often have to think in similar streams. Otoh, if I had known I would have been pursuing this path, I would have gone for Biochemistry instead.
What makes it tough is in working as a RN in certains areas, while you are trying to maintain a 4.0 and the whole 9 yards to ms. It's not like being a cna, although at times that's a part of it. It can be draining in many ways, and you get pulled in too many differen directions regardless of how good, or assertive, or on the ball you are.
Bottom line is you should study what interests you, and then do what's required to optimize you potential for admission to med school.
But having done critical care nursing for many years now, we often have to think in similar streams. Otoh, if I had known I would have been pursuing this path, I would have gone for Biochemistry instead.
What makes it tough is in working as a RN in certains areas, while you are trying to maintain a 4.0 and the whole 9 yards to ms. It's not like being a cna, although at times that's a part of it. It can be draining in many ways, and you get pulled in too many differen directions regardless of how good, or assertive, or on the ball you are.
Bottom line is you should study what interests you, and then do what's required to optimize you potential for admission to med school.
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Don't pick nursing if you want to get into med school or another healthcare professional grad school. They won't accept your classes as prereqs since they are unique nursing-specific versions of classes. Both are great careers. Just try and figure which one fits you best.
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If you choose medicine as your career then major in biology is best!!🙂
Good luck!!👍
Good luck!!👍
