My Non-Traditional Path - Advice?

[MyOwnPath]

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Hello everyone,

This is my first post, and I just wanted to tell everyone a little bit about myself and my goals, and perhaps garner some advice along the way. I'm 23 years old, and I've wanted to be a physician since I was 9 or 10. I had always been interested in D.O school (I grew up near a D.O. school so I had a lot of exposure), but when I went to college I really messed up. So used to getting straight A's without studying high school, I tried the same thing in college - at an Ivy League school. Needless to say it didn't work, and I made a C- in Organic Chemistry my first semester (I had taken into chem and intro bio at a community college while in HS). I gave up on medical school and had no idea what I wanted to do, graduating with a 3.25 GPA with none of the required pre-reqs aside from my C- in Organic Chemistry and a W (I withdrew) in Physics I. Since I still love healthcare, I decided to be a nurse practitioner and entered an accelerated BSN program, where I graduated with a 4.0. Working as a nurse, I've realized that NP's just don't know as much as I would like to know to provide quality care - there's currently too much variation in programs and I feel like NP's are like avid homebakers - they know how to follow the recipe, but they don't know WHY what they're doing works. An MD/DO is more like a pastry chef - they understand the underlying chemistry of their work.

Anyway...I remember very little of my bio courses and would probably make like a sub 20 on the MCAT if I took it today. I would like to continue working as a nurse for a year or so while I retake Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as Physics I and II. My questions are...

1. Anyone else go from RN to DO? Advice? Are they biased against RNs in admissions?
2. Can I take the courses at a community college? It would save so much money. If not, should I then retake Bio I and II and Chem I and II at a four year university as well?
3. Will MCAT prep classes/books help someone starting from scratch?

Any other advice would be great!
Thanks in advance.

 

[CpGisland]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, and I just wanted to tell everyone a little bit about myself and my goals, and perhaps garner some advice along the way. I'm 23 years old, and I've wanted to be a physician since I was 9 or 10. I had always been interested in D.O school (I grew up near a D.O. school so I had a lot of exposure), but when I went to college I really messed up. So used to getting straight A's without studying high school, I tried the same thing in college - at an Ivy League school. Needless to say it didn't work, and I made a C- in Organic Chemistry my first semester (I had taken into chem and intro bio at a community college while in HS). I gave up on medical school and had no idea what I wanted to do, graduating with a 3.25 GPA with none of the required pre-reqs aside from my C- in Organic Chemistry and a W (I withdrew) in Physics I. Since I still love healthcare, I decided to be a nurse practitioner and entered an accelerated BSN program, where I graduated with a 4.0. Working as a nurse, I've realized that NP's just don't know as much as I would like to know to provide quality care - there's currently too much variation in programs and I feel like NP's are like avid homebakers - they know how to follow the recipe, but they don't know WHY what they're doing works. An MD/DO is more like a pastry chef - they understand the underlying chemistry of their work.

Anyway...I remember very little of my bio courses and would probably make like a sub 20 on the MCAT if I took it today. I would like to continue working as a nurse for a year or so while I retake Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as Physics I and II. My questions are...

1. Anyone else go from RN to DO? Advice? Are they biased against RNs in admissions?
2. Can I take the courses at a community college? It would save so much money. If not, should I then retake Bio I and II and Chem I and II at a four year university as well?
3. Will MCAT prep classes/books help someone starting from scratch?

Any other advice would be great!
Thanks in advance.

First let me say i think it is a BIG + to go from a RN to DO (but it seems as though you are pretty new to being a RN). I know a individual who was a RN for 15 years and then went back and got a DO. I bolded a statement you made above, which I would not make in a personal statment or interview. Also, you are pretty young so I would not say you are a true non-trad.

I would take the pre-reqs that you need at a 4yr uni not a community college. Also, retake the courses that you did poorly in.

The MCAT is a big make or break for most applying to med school. I think the prep classes and books are helpful even if you have a limited background but is of great help to have a background.

this is a great study plan
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=623898

 

[DrMediterranean]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, and I just wanted to tell everyone a little bit about myself and my goals, and perhaps garner some advice along the way. I'm 23 years old, and I've wanted to be a physician since I was 9 or 10. I had always been interested in D.O school (I grew up near a D.O. school so I had a lot of exposure), but when I went to college I really messed up. So used to getting straight A's without studying high school, I tried the same thing in college - at an Ivy League school. Needless to say it didn't work, and I made a C- in Organic Chemistry my first semester (I had taken into chem and intro bio at a community college while in HS). I gave up on medical school and had no idea what I wanted to do, graduating with a 3.25 GPA with none of the required pre-reqs aside from my C- in Organic Chemistry and a W (I withdrew) in Physics I. Since I still love healthcare, I decided to be a nurse practitioner and entered an accelerated BSN program, where I graduated with a 4.0. Working as a nurse, I've realized that NP's just don't know as much as I would like to know to provide quality care - there's currently too much variation in programs and I feel like NP's are like avid homebakers - they know how to follow the recipe, but they don't know WHY what they're doing works. An MD/DO is more like a pastry chef - they understand the underlying chemistry of their work.

Anyway...I remember very little of my bio courses and would probably make like a sub 20 on the MCAT if I took it today. I would like to continue working as a nurse for a year or so while I retake Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as Physics I and II. My questions are...

1. Anyone else go from RN to DO? Advice? Are they biased against RNs in admissions?
2. Can I take the courses at a community college? It would save so much money. If not, should I then retake Bio I and II and Chem I and II at a four year university as well?
3. Will MCAT prep classes/books help someone starting from scratch?

Any other advice would be great!
Thanks in advance.

1. They are definitely not biased against RNs. From my experience, alot of adcoms, and I would say MOST or even ALL DO adcoms will love the fact that you were an RN before going to medical school. You already have great clinical experience and are well-rounded in the hospital setting. This is a huge plus. I worked as a nursing assistant while in undergrad and it came up in all of my interviews and was looked upon very positively.

2. Yes. You can definitely take your pre-reqs and all other other courses required for medical school at a community college. It would make sense for someone in your situation, especially since you are a non-trad with a degree already. But it will not be looked upon the same way as if the courses were taken at a university -- however, this is not all that big of a deal as long as you do well in the remainder of your classes and get a decent MCAT.

3. Yes. MCAT books will help someone no matter what. However, I personally would not recommend a prep course. They are very expensive and are not worth imo. This is very subjective depending on how you study, whether or not you need someone to tell you how to study.

 

[dessimay]

I'm currently at Emory SON, 23, and realizing that DO would probably suit me much better based on my exposure in the clinical setting and my personal approach to healthcare. I've read a lot of disheartening info that admissions for allopathic med schools look down on nurses applying simply because of the idea that they can't handle hard sciences, they're stealing away nurses from the "shortage," and nursing school is more of a trade and not an academic endeavor... I'm not trying to generalize this to all adcoms, it's just something that I've read quite a bit. I personally think that your clinical exposure working directly with patients is a huge advantage. And the emphasis on critical thinking in nursing school will be helpful as well. And depending on your school, a BSN is no cake walk contrary to popular belief.

From what I've read in regards to DO, they would be very open to a BSN student with work experience. Personally, I have 1 year left of school, taking classes this summer at CC because my school doesn't allow for room to take classes at emory (and it's getting a little extreme to pay so much for individual classes), otherwise I would because it would just fall under the tuition already being paid. All my prereqs will basically come from CC. It is much cheaper, and considering you're working I don't think you'd have to explain yourself since CC seems to be a cheaper and more convenient option to fit into a busy schedule. Just do well on the MCAT and there definitely shouldn't be a problem in regards to taking CC classes.

I'd definitely love to see other people provide some input though. As a hopeful applicant in the next couple of years I would love to read other experiences or advice especially if they were or know of RN's that have gone through similar situations.

 

[BenZq]

Personally, I think prep courses can be helpful if your horrible with time management. If this isn't a problem for you I would recommend looking up the SN2ed's plan on the forums and figure out a way to use that. Check out the Berkeley Review MCAT books, their the best in my opinion and are great for learning from scratch. Same for Examkrackers verbal and bio

 

[dessimay]

bumping this up for op since i'd like to see some more input

 

[ManBroDude]

1: Rock the pre-reqs, (retake O-chem)
2: Rock the MCAT
3: ????
4: Med school!

 

[LostInPreMed]

As someone who does not have the most admirable GPA trying to get into medical school, I have been told by MANY academic advisors "why don't you just become a PA?" I think that your answer realization of an NP's role is pretty profound:

Working as a nurse, I've realized that NP's just don't know as much as I would like to know to provide quality care - there's currently too much variation in programs and I feel like NP's are like avid homebakers - they know how to follow the recipe, but they don't know WHY what they're doing works. An MD/DO is more like a pastry chef - they understand the underlying chemistry of their work.

Its tough to articulate how I feel about wanting to be a doctor, but the way that you put it really seems to resonate. Thank you.


Onwards!

 

[UpwardTrend]

As someone who does not have the most admirable GPA trying to get into medical school, I have been told by MANY academic advisors "why don't you just become a PA?" I think that your answer realization of an NP's role is pretty profound:

Working as a nurse, I've realized that NP's just don't know as much as I would like to know to provide quality care - there's currently too much variation in programs and I feel like NP's are like avid homebakers - they know how to follow the recipe, but they don't know WHY what they're doing works. An MD/DO is more like a pastry chef - they understand the underlying chemistry of their work.

Its tough to articulate how I feel about wanting to be a doctor, but the way that you put it really seems to resonate. Thank you.


Onwards!

This is insanity. PA programs are some of the most competitive out there. Your stats have to be every bit as high as DO and just about as high as MD. Not to mention that most want a minimum of 2000 hours of paid HCE.

 

[211519]

Hello everyone,

1. Anyone else go from RN to DO? Advice? Are they biased against RNs in admissions?
2. Can I take the courses at a community college? It would save so much money. If not, should I then retake Bio I and II and Chem I and II at a four year university as well?
3. Will MCAT prep classes/books help someone starting from scratch?

Any other advice would be great!
Thanks in advance.

First of all, I support your pastry chef comment...and now I'm hungry 😀

To answer your questions:
1. Yes you can! There is zero bias against RNs. I know a Program Director at a dual program who was an RN and then went to osteopathic school. Among the residents I work with at my core site, several were RNs. In my class, at least a dozen were RNs. We also have PAs and lots of EMTs. None of those things are considered negative. It can only help you. It also means you understand something about what you are getting into, which makes admissions peeps a little happier.

2. I'd advise against a community college. I'd look for a state school or something similar. There are a good many schools with a sort of premed track, even some with classes directed towards career changers like you. You need the classes for the MCAT, yes, but you also need them to show the admissions peeps you can cut it. Community college A is not equal to University A in the medical school admissions world. I'm not being pejorative, just explaining the perception. As for the courses themselves, if you feel weak, take them all. It is better than doing poorly on the MCAT. Consider calling a few admissions offices for DO schools and seeing what they recommend or require as well.

There are some exchanges that can be made too, substitutions for Organic II with a higher chemistry or some such nonsense that I cannot really remember now. For all I know, that isn't done anymore.

3. I'd start out with a book, and move up to paying for those classes if you really need them. I used to teach for a test prep company (one of the big ones) that shall not be named, and honestly, most of the classes are about sneaky ways to answer questions + review that you can do yourself if you are disciplined. I personally think they are too much money. I am biased, but I also know the inner workings (I don't use a course for board studying either, which my classmates think is crazy). As I recall, there are loads and loads of MCAT resources, so check some out in a bookstore and see what you like. Invest in a few good resources and destroy them. Questions, Questions, Questions! When you think you are done, do more practice questions!

I think it is a great thing you are considering, and very admirable since you have put so much work into your education already. Best of luck with everything!

 

[211519]

I'm currently at Emory SON, 23, and realizing that DO would probably suit me much better based on my exposure in the clinical setting and my personal approach to healthcare. I've read a lot of disheartening info that admissions for allopathic med schools look down on nurses applying simply because of the idea that they can't handle hard sciences, they're stealing away nurses from the "shortage," and nursing school is more of a trade and not an academic endeavor... I'm not trying to generalize this to all adcoms, it's just something that I've read quite a bit. I personally think that your clinical exposure working directly with patients is a huge advantage. And the emphasis on critical thinking in nursing school will be helpful as well. And depending on your school, a BSN is no cake walk contrary to popular belief.

From what I've read in regards to DO, they would be very open to a BSN student with work experience. Personally, I have 1 year left of school, taking classes this summer at CC because my school doesn't allow for room to take classes at emory (and it's getting a little extreme to pay so much for individual classes), otherwise I would because it would just fall under the tuition already being paid. All my prereqs will basically come from CC. It is much cheaper, and considering you're working I don't think you'd have to explain yourself since CC seems to be a cheaper and more convenient option to fit into a busy schedule. Just do well on the MCAT and there definitely shouldn't be a problem in regards to taking CC classes.

I'd definitely love to see other people provide some input though. As a hopeful applicant in the next couple of years I would love to read other experiences or advice especially if they were or know of RN's that have gone through similar situations.

See my comments to the OP, but yes, DO schools love RNs and NPs. I cannot comment on the allopathic aversion rumor, as I have no idea.

One other thing I remembered, many of my RN classmates were able to pick up shifts at the local hospital during breaks, vacation in order to help offset some of the loans. Just a perk. 🙂

 

[LostInPreMed]

...and you are 100% correct! It's not easy to get into a PA program. Many times, the requirements are similar to that of med school, just without the MCAT part. Crazy disrespectful to say that! ... truly...

 

[LostInPreMed]

This is insanity. PA programs are some of the most competitive out there. Your stats have to be every bit as high as DO and just about as high as MD. Not to mention that most want a minimum of 2000 hours of paid HCE.

I know this is getting off of the thread topic but the more I work in (E.R.) healthcare, the more insulting I find that statement! There are some PHENOMENAL NPs and PAs out there. Some of whom I would go to with a question before I would go to a doc. They aren't "less smart," they just work in a different scope capacity. Not a single one of them has told me they are a PA/NP because they "just weren't good enough to be a doctor." I really appreciate the PAs that I work with on a daily basis and not once have I ever seen them in the way that that previous comment would illustrate! I really wish people respected their position more!

...and you are 100% correct! It's not easy to get into a PA program. Many times, the requirements are similar to that of med school, just without the MCAT part. Crazy disrespectful to say that! ... truly...