NP or DO, advice desperately needed

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PAPrincess2018

PAPrincess2018

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To say I need direction is an understatement. Im 23 and have been going to a local community college on and off since 2012. I originally wanted to go to med school to earn my MD, but was quickly discouraged and went off track. I am currently completing my pre-reqs to go to nursing school, with hopes to become a family NP.

The closer I am getting to beginning the nursing program, the more I am thinking I am making the wrong decision. On the other hand, I am not sure that I want to spend the next 6+ years completing school, not including residency.

My GPA is currently a 3.0 and my sGPA is probably in the 2.5-2.7 range with the few classes I have taken.

Any advice would be wonderful.
 
As tough as it is, this is something you need to decide for yourself. Do you want nicer hours, lessened responsibility and decreased schooling while working as a midlevel or do you want the greater level of medical knowledge, more independence, higher salary and increased responsibility for your decisions as a physician?

Note that the key thing here is really life style and whether you want to be the one making the decisions or not (which can be both a positive or a negative depending on the situation and how you look at it).

Though I will say that at the age of 23 I don't think you should let years of school weigh too much on your decision if you enjoy learning.
 
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Unsure about level of commitment is a red flag as premed takes a high level of motivation in the face of struggle. In either direction you decide get your study habits/ motivation in order. You want to perform as best as possible at any route you choose.
 
I went to medical school without any major plan. Graduated my university, said hey I want to go to med school. Got in...got owned first term. Because I wasn't ready, I didn't want it bad enough and I didn't know what I was doing. I graduated medical school and did pretty well but it was a learning curve.

Your current gpa isn't good but it's young and salvageable. You can make it to do school if you want. But do you want it?

What are you willing to give up is? A lot of women I know have given up having kids until their 30s and have lost serious relationships to become more career focused. Medical school is selfish and demands most of your time.

The first step is prove your cut out for it. Take science courses, challenge yourself, excel and prove to yourself you can do well in medical school. It's a four year long beast and looking back now that I'm done..I realize I've only just started with residency looming, lol
 
What premed classes have you taken? Have you gotten into a nursing program yet? I assume if you're at least applying to nursing you've taken bio 101, a&p, and micro at the very least.
 
PAPrincess2018 said:
To say I need direction is an understatement. Im 23 and have been going to a local community college on and off since 2012. I originally wanted to go to med school to earn my MD, but was quickly discouraged and went off track. I am currently completing my pre-reqs to go to nursing school, with hopes to become a family NP.

The closer I am getting to beginning the nursing program, the more I am thinking I am making the wrong decision. On the other hand, I am not sure that I want to spend the next 6+ years completing school, not including residency.

My GPA is currently a 3.0 and my sGPA is probably in the 2.5-2.7 range with the few classes I have taken.

Any advice would be wonderful.
Click to expand...

Well being 23 and not having a plan is fine, first of all. Your GPAs are salvageable too but it will take hard work in UG classes in a DIY post bacc to bring it back up if you want to be competitive for MD or DO.

The other posters are right, you need to decide what you want out of the work life balance. NPs in primary care settings basically do the same things as the physicians, I worked in the ED of a large trauma center hospital, and the NPs there did most of the work the physicians did. It seems to me that the big discrepancy is in the amount of background coursework in the medical sciences. It kind of sounds like you're not super thrilled at the prospect of medical school for 4 years learning this stuff. If you have a desire to learn more about the human body and its relationship to medicine, I'd try for medical school. If you're more concerned with the "prestige" I'd probably do NP.

Disclaimer, I think NPs are great and am excited that they are increasingly autonomous in medicine, please dont take offense to how I worded anything! Either will be a great career path where you get to help others.
 
If you are looking to have children or help your working spouse taking care of children as the primary caregiver NP is much better.
 
Get into PA not NP. It is more standardized training especially with them currently converting all programs to masters programs.

workaholic181 said:
Well being 23 and not having a plan is fine, first of all. Your GPAs are salvageable too but it will take hard work in UG classes in a DIY post bacc to bring it back up if you want to be competitive for MD or DO.

The other posters are right, you need to decide what you want out of the work life balance. NPs in primary care settings basically do the same things as the physicians, I worked in the ED of a large trauma center hospital, and the NPs there did most of the work the physicians did. It seems to me that the big discrepancy is in the amount of background coursework in the medical sciences. It kind of sounds like you're not super thrilled at the prospect of medical school for 4 years learning this stuff. If you have a desire to learn more about the human body and its relationship to medicine, I'd try for medical school. If you're more concerned with the "prestige" I'd probably do NP.

Disclaimer, I think NPs are great and am excited that they are increasingly autonomous in medicine, please dont take offense to how I worded anything! Either will be a great career path where you get to help others.
Click to expand...

No, once you start seeing fast things can go south you'll be thankful for the residency trained physician. They are great team members but not autonomous medical providers.
 
DO2015CA said:
Get into PA not NP. It is more standardized training especially with them currently converting all programs to masters programs.
Click to expand...
It would take just as much gpa repair for this poster to go PA as it would MD/DO. NP is a much more viable option. But I agree with you about the training quality.
 
Ho0v-man said:
It would take just as much gpa repair for this poster to go PA as it would MD/DO. NP is a much more viable option. But I agree with you about the training quality.
Click to expand...

Its worth the grade repair. I am not saying they should pick midlevels because they won't have to do GPA repair. They should go through a midlevel program if they want to be done in 2.5 years once they start and they want a 40hr/week career. In whatever they decide to do, they should try and get the best training that they can. For midlevels, that would be doing the necessary work to get into a PA program. Of course there are very good NP programs as well, UC Davis is California is one I know off the top of my head, but NP programs are controlled by nursing and don't have as much structure as PA programs, which are overseen by medicine.
 
Ho0v-man said:
What premed classes have you taken? Have you gotten into a nursing program yet? I assume if you're at least applying to nursing you've taken bio 101, a&p, and micro at the very least.
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I have only taken a+p1, bio 1 and a few intro chem classes. The program I am applying too allows students to enter with just those science courses, and the rest have to be completed by second semester.

I hope to submit my application to the nursing program in a few weeks for fall/spring semester.
 
workaholic181 said:
Well being 23 and not having a plan is fine, first of all. Your GPAs are salvageable too but it will take hard work in UG classes in a DIY post bacc to bring it back up if you want to be competitive for MD or DO.

The other posters are right, you need to decide what you want out of the work life balance. NPs in primary care settings basically do the same things as the physicians, I worked in the ED of a large trauma center hospital, and the NPs there did most of the work the physicians did. It seems to me that the big discrepancy is in the amount of background coursework in the medical sciences. It kind of sounds like you're not super thrilled at the prospect of medical school for 4 years learning this stuff. If you have a desire to learn more about the human body and its relationship to medicine, I'd try for medical school. If you're more concerned with the "prestige" I'd probably do NP.

Disclaimer, I think NPs are great and am excited that they are increasingly autonomous in medicine, please dont take offense to how I worded anything! Either will be a great career path where you get to help others.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice. I am interested in medical school for the high standard of training, and the science behind disease/illness/ect.

I sound ridiculous saying this, but if I was fresh out of highschool or a few years younger I would have no other idea in my head rather than medical school
 
PAPrincess2018 said:
Thank you for your advice. I am interested in medical school for the high standard of training, and the science behind disease/illness/ect.

I sound ridiculous saying this, but if I was fresh out of highschool or a few years younger I would have no other idea in my head rather than medical school
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You are 23. There are plenty of people starting their journey later than you. Right now the average DO student entering is ~26. That means you are on track. If you spent the next 2 years getting prereqs done and finishing your degree then you will have matriculated the same time as the mean. Assuming you are a few years into college that you get crank out a degree that quickly
 
PAPrincess2018 said:
To say I need direction is an understatement. Im 23 and have been going to a local community college on and off since 2012. I originally wanted to go to med school to earn my MD, but was quickly discouraged and went off track. I am currently completing my pre-reqs to go to nursing school, with hopes to become a family NP.

The closer I am getting to beginning the nursing program, the more I am thinking I am making the wrong decision. On the other hand, I am not sure that I want to spend the next 6+ years completing school, not including residency.

My GPA is currently a 3.0 and my sGPA is probably in the 2.5-2.7 range with the few classes I have taken.

Any advice would be wonderful.
Click to expand...
Hi man.
.... Well first of all did you get into nursing school..?? Traditionally you need a BS to get into a MD/DO program, and in your case, DO would be most viable since MD schools have very high gpa requirements, at least 3.7+ overall and science. Depending on how many cases you took not sure how possible it is.
Anyhow, I think you should get a BS in Nursing, and take the prerequisites to get into DO school while preparing for the MCAT and doing anything on the side to enhance your resume.
Also most important, don't listen to anyone saying 'Why are you doing nursing if you want to do medicine,' because you don't know for sure if you will be admitted to medical school. If you don't do nursing and your not admitted into medical school, your probably worse off since you spent the time and energy to get into medical school and you have no degree.
And take it from me, someone with an AAS and BS in Nursing and was accepted into DO school. It was the best decision because I had a safe degree in Nursing where I helped people, could have made over 70k (I never worked unfortunately) and I always had a chance to become an NP. But remember becoming an NP usually requires 1+ years of work experience and lots of GOOD QUALITY (Not BS ones) programs don't admit many students with limited experience (1-3) and usually admit those with 3+ years, thats really the reality.

As for the argument to do PA over NP.... there is one, PA programs are definitely more rigorous and 'better' in terms of quality because they are based on the Medical Model. Also Pas have more options to do specialties because NPs tend to (Not always) stay in the Primary care fields but can branch to other nonsurgical specialties. Also PA programs are harder to get into in the sense you need better grades and paid experience. So there could be an argument that PA programs are harder to get into than medical school, because med. schools don't really require paid work experience, but PA programs do. But in NP programs less emphasis is on gpa but more on paid nursing experience. But NPs 'have more autonomy' so they say, not sure how it really is in the end, but I think their autonomies are 95% similar, in the end docs aren't giving anyone completely autonomy (Gotta keep that monopoly over the Health care system! ..).

So yeah, I mean you need to improve those gpas by taking upper level courses sciences and easy courses to at least a 3.3 range to have a fighting chance. I mean if you do and you do great on the mcat you should get into some DO school. But that require substantial work... nursing isn't easy by any means and there will be added pressure to do well in nursing and other medical prerequisites, but thats a decision you have to make. I thought that was best for me and in the end it worked out for me (I tend to do safer things). But I still recommend to do the BS in Nursing and take part time prereqs and upper level sciences at the same time.. thats what I did.

GL.
 
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PAPrincess2018 said:
Thank you for your advice. I am interested in medical school for the high standard of training, and the science behind disease/illness/ect.

I sound ridiculous saying this, but if I was fresh out of highschool or a few years younger I would have no other idea in my head rather than medical school
Click to expand...

Great reason to get into medical school. You'll learn more about those things than in nursing school for sure. Just look at a few medical and nursing programs to know.
 
PAPrincess2018 said:
I have only taken a+p1, bio 1 and a few intro chem classes. The program I am applying too allows students to enter with just those science courses, and the rest have to be completed by second semester.

I hope to submit my application to the nursing program in a few weeks for fall/spring semester.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that from here on in, the classes only get tougher. As it stands now, you have years of gpa repair in front of you to even get your application through the preliminary screenings. That's without even considering having to take the MCAT at the end of those prerequisites.

You may want to consider going for nursing if you're lucky enough to get in. If you do well in this coursework, you could take a few more bio and chem classes after your BSN and be a good candidate for any of the stuff you're considering. Currently, there's no evidence that you'd be a successful MD/DO applicant and, to be blunt, you're a bottom-of-the-barrel nursing school applicant. You're having an existential crisis about different options that you really don't have. Best to get some distance from that rough start and try again. Maybe with a very strong upward trend in a BSN or whatever other degree you pursue and an SMP you might get in. But it's unrealistic as of now for you to consider applying to medical school.
 
Already lots of good points here. Just want to add: SHADOW! And interview people who do both. Also know the practice rights and movements in the states you may want to live.
 
license43 said:
Hi man.
.... Well first of all did you get into nursing school..?? Traditionally you need a BS to get into a MD/DO program, and in your case, DO would be most viable since MD schools have very high gpa requirements, at least 3.7+ overall and science. Depending on how many cases you took not sure how possible it is.
Anyhow, I think you should get a BS in Nursing, and take the prerequisites to get into DO school while preparing for the MCAT and doing anything on the side to enhance your resume.
Also most important, don't listen to anyone saying 'Why are you doing nursing if you want to do medicine,' because you don't know for sure if you will be admitted to medical school. If you don't do nursing and your not admitted into medical school, your probably worse off since you spent the time and energy to get into medical school and you have no degree.
And take it from me, someone with an AAS and BS in Nursing and was accepted into DO school. It was the best decision because I had a safe degree in Nursing where I helped people, could have made over 70k (I never worked unfortunately) and I always had a chance to become an NP. But remember becoming an NP usually requires 1+ years of work experience and lots of GOOD QUALITY (Not BS ones) programs don't admit many students with limited experience (1-3) and usually admit those with 3+ years, thats really the reality.

As for the argument to do PA over NP.... there is one, PA programs are definitely more rigorous and 'better' in terms of quality because they are based on the Medical Model. Also Pas have more options to do specialties because NPs tend to (Not always) stay in the Primary care fields but can branch to other nonsurgical specialties. Also PA programs are harder to get into in the sense you need better grades and paid experience. So there could be an argument that PA programs are harder to get into than medical school, because med. schools don't really require paid work experience, but PA programs do. But in NP programs less emphasis is on gpa but more on paid nursing experience. But NPs 'have more autonomy' so they say, not sure how it really is in the end, but I think their autonomies are 95% similar, in the end docs aren't giving anyone completely autonomy (Gotta keep that monopoly over the Health care system! ..).

So yeah, I mean you need to improve those gpas by taking upper level courses sciences and easy courses to at least a 3.3 range to have a fighting chance. I mean if you do and you do great on the mcat you should get into some DO school. But that require substantial work... nursing isn't easy by any means and there will be added pressure to do well in nursing and other medical prerequisites, but thats a decision you have to make. I thought that was best for me and in the end it worked out for me (I tend to do safer things). But I still recommend to do the BS in Nursing and take part time prereqs and upper level sciences at the same time.. thats what I did.

GL.
Click to expand...

Could you be more biased? NP is a weaker education than PA, and PA school is harder to get into than MD...
 
"Also PA programs are harder to get into in the sense you need better grades and paid experience. So there could be an argument that PA programs are harder to get into than medical school, because med. schools don't really require paid work experience."
 
"PA programs are definitely more rigorous and 'better' in terms of quality because they are based on the Medical Model."

:/ NPs and PA are both mid levels that perform similar jobs, we should not tell someone looking for guidance one is superior to the other.
 
Blanky said:
"Also PA programs are harder to get into in the sense you need better grades and paid experience. So there could be an argument that PA programs are harder to get into than medical school, because med. schools don't really require paid work experience."
Click to expand...
He has a nursing degree... If he is saying that about PA its because of his experience in nursing school. Thats experience, not bias
 
The best advice I've heard, and given is: "if you can imagine yourself doing anything else than being a physician, then don't go into medical school." You have to want it with every fiber of your being. sometimes we get lost in all the details. At the end of the day, the physician is ultimately responsible for the patient. That level of responsibility requires an incredible amount of steadfast dedication and sacrifice. There was one gal in my Med school class who had a bachelors of nursing. Keep getting the best scores that you can, you are on track. Good luck!
 
Blanky said:
Could you be more biased? NP is a weaker education than PA, and PA school is harder to get into than MD...
Click to expand...
Both of those are accurate statements as to how they worded it. I don't think she said MD, but rather it is easier to get into a DO just due to shear number of seats
 
Blanky said:
Could you be more biased? NP is a weaker education than PA, and PA school is harder to get into than MD...
Click to expand...
Well I did say PA programs are more rigorous are NP programs I do stand by that 110%.
Yes they do similar things, but that does not dismiss that one is more trained in the medical model than the other, thats I guess what I meant by 'more rigorous.' I think medicine is more rigorous than nursing, again thats IMO. You don't have to agree with it, and by all means, feel free to disagree.

Btw, I myself tried to do NP or PA before I did DO, and I did try to prove to myself that NP programs were more rigorous than PA. ... After searching through many NP programs, most of them have classes like research, physical assessment, 'family NP principles,' etc 'advanced pharmacology.' Those are excellent courses and not trying to bash them. But if you compare them to a PA program which have courses like 'Physical assessment, pharmacology, gross anatomy, embryology, clinical medicine 1-IV, geriatrics, dermatology, obstetrics, pediatrics, etc,' certainly one argument could be made that PA programs are more rigorous.
Again look I have no dog in this fight, i'm becoming neither, I'm becoming a Medical Doctor. But NPs in the end do nearly the same thing as Pas with some variations I expect.

I'm not being biased fyi. I am a nurse myself if you don't remember and I did try to do NP and PA both, their both excellent fields. If anything, I would be MORE biased towards the nursing field since I have a BS in Nursing. I actually am more biased towards the Medical doctor profession (not PA), I think I would be a better DO than NP or PA, but thats for another discussion.
But look, you can pm me for more if you need advice, but I wasn't trying to offend you or any profession at all... this is just my opinion, so don't get offended at all.

Again Good luck man and wish you the best in your career prospects.
 
DO2015CA said:
Both of those are accurate statements as to how they worded it. I don't think she said MD, but rather it is easier to get into a DO just due to shear number of seats
Click to expand...
agreed. PA could be considered harder to get into in the sense you need paid work experience, at least 1-2, or maybe more.....
Also i'm a he not she lol..
 
Get an online DNP and then go around calling yourself "doctor". It's all the rage these days.
 
Are you willing to go the extra mile and spend the time to get into medical school? It is a marathon, not a sprint.

As other people mentioned, I'm sure you have other people/things in your life that may suffer due to medical school and the admission process. Consider everything and if you can't see yourself doing anything else, go for it.
 
Split the difference and go to dental school. Wonderful hours, Autonomy, and excellent pay.
 
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