First and foremost, hello to everyone and thank you for your part in this forum! I've spent many a late night browsing this site, and it has been incredibly insightful. This will be my first post.
I have searched all related topics posted here, and while my questions are similar to some others, I still feel my situation has different aspects to it that I would much appreciate everyones thoughts and opinions on. First, a little background. . .
I'm 26, and have been working as a paramedic/firefighter for my local department for five years. I worked for two years as a tech/EMT in a mid-sized emergency room before that. When I was in paramedic school (6 years ago) I began to realize my interest in medicine. I was fascinated by anything medical, the more in depth the better. . . I was the kid that always asked the question that was too 'advanced'. My instructors meant well of course, but when I started asking in depth questions about the cellular level mechanism of action of, say, calcium channel blockers on cardiac muscle versus skeletal muscle versus smooth muscle, etc. . . . as you might imagine, I've ben told "you don't have to worry about all that" many times 🙂 My passion at the time though was in the fire department, my interest in medicine simply made me want to be an incredible paramedic. I wasn't even considering medical school.
Three years ago after becoming more and more interested in patient care, and less and less interested in the 'fire' side of things, I decided I wanted to switch careers to one more involved with medicine and patient care. I knew I didn't want to be a 'regular' RN because I wanted more responsibility, autonomy, decision making ability for my patients, etc. This is the time that now, looking back, I am kicking myself for not realizing I should pursue medical school. . . but I just didn't, I think it all seemed too far away or unattainable or something. Like the basketball player in high school; sure he thinks it'd be cool to 'go pro', but it just seems so far away that it doesn't even click in your mind that it's something you could actually do. I also had a house, mortgage, etc. and wasn't sure how going back to school for 8 + years was even feasible.
So, I decided that nurse anesthetist (CRNA) was the way for me to go. At the time I believed it fulfilled my goals and desires (higher education, autonomy in practice, etc. ), and I was excited about it. This path also allowed me to continue working for a while longer (until grad school) while I saved up money and potentially tried to sell my house (hah, that didn't work, managed to rent it though!). So here I am now three years later just about ready to graduate from nursing school with an associates, and already applied to the RN-BSN program here at VCU. Problem is. . . I'm realizing what it is I wish I'd realized three years ago I want to be a physician.
I attribute my epiphany, if you will, to a number of factors. The more I've been exposed to medicine, pathophysiology, anatomy, etc. through nursing school, the more my interest in medicine has grown. I'm experiencing the same hunger for further knowledge I had way back in paramedic school, but now it's back tenfold. I also just don't fit the nursing model, I think like a physician not a nurse, and medicine is where my interests lie. Nursing theory? Yuck. Biomedical research? Yes please!
I met with a pre-med advisor about whether I should continue on with my BSN while attaining my pre-med classes versus switching majors completely to something like biology. Based on time it would take, money it would cost, and her thoughts that what you major in for undergrad doesn't really matter, she advised stick with the RN-BSN track while getting my pre-med classes done, taking MCAT, and applying.
I apologize for the lengthy 'background', I suppose I felt it was necessary. Here are my questions:
1. Regarding switching majors to a biology major (which would take an extra year, cost 20,000 dollars more, and require me to quit my job where I not only earn an income but continue to have experience treating patients). . . Does anyone disagree with my advisor that the BSN is the better route to go?
2. Regarding the disadvantage that nursing students have when applying to medical school. I'll only have a year or so working as an RN (likely part time) when I'll be applying to medical school, and it will be apparent on my transcripts that I was planning on medical school while finishing my BSN. Based on my background above, how much will the whole 'nursing' thing hurt my chances of admission? I understand they may see it as 'taking a slot' from another nursing student, but that wasn't my intention at all, I just had to 'find my way' to medicine. I am also concerned this may all make me look indecisive, which I suppose I can understand. . . do you think it looks this way? Or do I explain the situation in a more 'my journey to medicine' kind of way?
3. Lastly, I'm wondering what my experience in 'life', genuinely finding my way to medicine, healthcare and pre-hospital experience, etc. will do for me on my medical school application. . . versus the more traditional student who knew in high school he wanted to be a physician and has been painstakingly preparing ever since. I'm going to do as much shadowing as possible, as well as volunteering, and of course plan to rock my GPA and MCAT. However, I feel as though I don't have the same life and EC's that most pre-med undergrads do; my life is and has been more work/school. . . not school/school. . . and I feel quite behind the 8 ball when I see all these posts with applicants who are presidents of three clubs, published writers, recognized researches, etc. If I could do it all again, I'd absolutely go that route, but I didn't. Should I consider quitting my job so I can do more things like research, be president of academic clubs, etc.? Or will it be equally impressive that I worked as a paramedic/firefighter while putting myself through my undergrad (rather than racking up more debt)?
Yikes. . . that turned out to be really long. I'm sorry and incredibly grateful to the soul that read all that and is willing to offer insight 🙂 Thank you again so very much for your time and any thoughts and opinions you share.
M
I have searched all related topics posted here, and while my questions are similar to some others, I still feel my situation has different aspects to it that I would much appreciate everyones thoughts and opinions on. First, a little background. . .
I'm 26, and have been working as a paramedic/firefighter for my local department for five years. I worked for two years as a tech/EMT in a mid-sized emergency room before that. When I was in paramedic school (6 years ago) I began to realize my interest in medicine. I was fascinated by anything medical, the more in depth the better. . . I was the kid that always asked the question that was too 'advanced'. My instructors meant well of course, but when I started asking in depth questions about the cellular level mechanism of action of, say, calcium channel blockers on cardiac muscle versus skeletal muscle versus smooth muscle, etc. . . . as you might imagine, I've ben told "you don't have to worry about all that" many times 🙂 My passion at the time though was in the fire department, my interest in medicine simply made me want to be an incredible paramedic. I wasn't even considering medical school.
Three years ago after becoming more and more interested in patient care, and less and less interested in the 'fire' side of things, I decided I wanted to switch careers to one more involved with medicine and patient care. I knew I didn't want to be a 'regular' RN because I wanted more responsibility, autonomy, decision making ability for my patients, etc. This is the time that now, looking back, I am kicking myself for not realizing I should pursue medical school. . . but I just didn't, I think it all seemed too far away or unattainable or something. Like the basketball player in high school; sure he thinks it'd be cool to 'go pro', but it just seems so far away that it doesn't even click in your mind that it's something you could actually do. I also had a house, mortgage, etc. and wasn't sure how going back to school for 8 + years was even feasible.
So, I decided that nurse anesthetist (CRNA) was the way for me to go. At the time I believed it fulfilled my goals and desires (higher education, autonomy in practice, etc. ), and I was excited about it. This path also allowed me to continue working for a while longer (until grad school) while I saved up money and potentially tried to sell my house (hah, that didn't work, managed to rent it though!). So here I am now three years later just about ready to graduate from nursing school with an associates, and already applied to the RN-BSN program here at VCU. Problem is. . . I'm realizing what it is I wish I'd realized three years ago I want to be a physician.
I attribute my epiphany, if you will, to a number of factors. The more I've been exposed to medicine, pathophysiology, anatomy, etc. through nursing school, the more my interest in medicine has grown. I'm experiencing the same hunger for further knowledge I had way back in paramedic school, but now it's back tenfold. I also just don't fit the nursing model, I think like a physician not a nurse, and medicine is where my interests lie. Nursing theory? Yuck. Biomedical research? Yes please!
I met with a pre-med advisor about whether I should continue on with my BSN while attaining my pre-med classes versus switching majors completely to something like biology. Based on time it would take, money it would cost, and her thoughts that what you major in for undergrad doesn't really matter, she advised stick with the RN-BSN track while getting my pre-med classes done, taking MCAT, and applying.
I apologize for the lengthy 'background', I suppose I felt it was necessary. Here are my questions:
1. Regarding switching majors to a biology major (which would take an extra year, cost 20,000 dollars more, and require me to quit my job where I not only earn an income but continue to have experience treating patients). . . Does anyone disagree with my advisor that the BSN is the better route to go?
2. Regarding the disadvantage that nursing students have when applying to medical school. I'll only have a year or so working as an RN (likely part time) when I'll be applying to medical school, and it will be apparent on my transcripts that I was planning on medical school while finishing my BSN. Based on my background above, how much will the whole 'nursing' thing hurt my chances of admission? I understand they may see it as 'taking a slot' from another nursing student, but that wasn't my intention at all, I just had to 'find my way' to medicine. I am also concerned this may all make me look indecisive, which I suppose I can understand. . . do you think it looks this way? Or do I explain the situation in a more 'my journey to medicine' kind of way?
3. Lastly, I'm wondering what my experience in 'life', genuinely finding my way to medicine, healthcare and pre-hospital experience, etc. will do for me on my medical school application. . . versus the more traditional student who knew in high school he wanted to be a physician and has been painstakingly preparing ever since. I'm going to do as much shadowing as possible, as well as volunteering, and of course plan to rock my GPA and MCAT. However, I feel as though I don't have the same life and EC's that most pre-med undergrads do; my life is and has been more work/school. . . not school/school. . . and I feel quite behind the 8 ball when I see all these posts with applicants who are presidents of three clubs, published writers, recognized researches, etc. If I could do it all again, I'd absolutely go that route, but I didn't. Should I consider quitting my job so I can do more things like research, be president of academic clubs, etc.? Or will it be equally impressive that I worked as a paramedic/firefighter while putting myself through my undergrad (rather than racking up more debt)?
Yikes. . . that turned out to be really long. I'm sorry and incredibly grateful to the soul that read all that and is willing to offer insight 🙂 Thank you again so very much for your time and any thoughts and opinions you share.
M
