Nursing school has destroyed my GPA

[BSN2DOC]

How should I explain my pathetically low nursing school GPA? I realized about 10 minutes into nursing school that it was not for me. However, I am too far into this to back out now. I had a near 4.0 GPA at my previous school and a 3.7 at my current school before entering my accelerated nursing program. I am averaging a 3.38 GPA in nursing school (I will have completed 60 credit hours of nursing classes when I finish in 2008).

Anyone here have a prior BSN degree? I am sure they will sympathize with a low nursing GPA. Out of my entire nursing class, I know of about 5 students out of the 50+ who actually maintain a 3.5+ GPA.

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[jochi1543]

However, I am too far into this to back out now.

....and yet your screenname and posting in pre-allo imply that you will quit nursing to go into medicine. I don't understand.

 

[BSN2DOC]

....and yet your screenname and posting in pre-allo imply that you will quit nursing to go into medicine. I don't understand.

That was the point of my posting. I am finishing up my BSN degree but once I graduate I am going to finish the rest of my pre-req's for med school and apply.

My question being: do you think admission committees will be put off by my low nursing school GPA?

 

[Meatwad]

I am sure they will sympathize with a low nursing GPA. Out of my entire nursing class, I know of about 5 students out of the 50+ who actually maintain a 3.5+ GPA.

Really? I'm not as optimistic. Seriously, if I were an adcom, I wouldn't say "a low GPA is fine, they went to nursing school." I know people at nursing schools that have 4.0's, so I wouldnt bank on the sympathy. Your best bet is killing the MCAT and explaining the downward trend.

 

[emttim]

You know, the big issue I see is that without even working as a nurse for any duration of time, they're going to 1) harp on you about whether you know what you wanna do with your life, and 2) ask why you went to nursing school in the first place if you want to be a doctor.

 

[Revenant]

I agree with the above poster. A good MCAT more than makes up for a meh GPA in a tough subject. I don't think GPA is your biggest hurdle here.

 

[foreverLaur]

your biggest hurdle is explaining the Nursing to Doctor. there is a nursing shortage. you took up a spot in a nursing program and are wasting it. that spot could have been taken up by someone who actually wanted to become a nurse and contribute to lessening that nursing shortage. explaining your way out of that one is your biggest hurdle.

 

[LicensedPremed]

Yes. I agree with above posters. That is why health-related field majors have lowest acceptance rate to medical schools (I think it's about 20~30%).

 

[BSN2DOC]

Yes. I agree with above posters. That is why health-related field majors have lowest acceptance rate to medical schools (I think it's about 20~30%).

That is relatively speaking because you have a much lower number of health professionals (especially nurses) that decide to continue on to medical school.

As to some of the other comments, I am going to be working as a nurse for 2 years as I finish my pre-req's on a part-time basis. So I will give a few years back to the profession.

And when I said "they will be sympathetic" in my original posting, I was not referring to the admission committees, but rather those students who were prior nursuing students before continuing on to medical school.

 

[xpinchx]

your biggest hurdle is explaining the Nursing to Doctor. there is a nursing shortage. you took up a spot in a nursing program and are wasting it. that spot could have been taken up by someone who actually wanted to become a nurse and contribute to lessening that nursing shortage. explaining your way out of that one is your biggest hurdle.

.

I hate to say it, but you have everything working against you. The biggest thing is that you took up a spot in the nursing program for nothing. It's a different story if you work as a nurse for 15 years in the ICU and now want more responsibility and want to take more part in the patient's care plan. Those are the nurses that get in, not people who are fresh out of the program.

 

[xpinchx]

That is relatively speaking because you have a much lower number of health professionals (especially nurses) that decide to continue on to medical school.

As to some of the other comments, I am going to be working as a nurse for 2 years as I finish my pre-req's on a part-time basis. So I will give a few years back to the profession.

And when I said "they will be sympathetic" in my original posting, I was not referring to the admission committees, but rather those students who were prior nursuing students before continuing on to medical school.

Less than 20% of nurses who apply get accepted.

 

[pakbabydoll]

I read that adcoms don't like medical professionals going for medical school. They would rather give the seat to a new student. I don't know if its true not I am just telling you what I read in my medical hand book.

 

[BSN2DOC]

Less than 20% of nurses who apply get accepted.

Hmm.. interesting statistic. Did you read that somewhere or word of mouth? I have met 3 physicians who were prior nurses and all of them told me they were accepted their first application cycle, but I do not know how long they worked in the nursing field. And I know one medical student (she was accepted to Touro-Nevada) who was a nurse for 3 years and was accepted on her first application cycle.

I understand the nursing shortage, but I discovered too late into my schooling that nursing just was not for me. And unfortunately I am in a very accelerated nursing program where GPA's >3.5 are just unheard of except for a few students here and there.

 

[jochi1543]

Hmm.. interesting statistic. Did you read that somewhere or word of mouth?

This is available in the MSAR, and possibly on the AAMC website, as well. Health professionals have the lowest acceptance rates to MD school of all categories of applicants.

 

[xpinchx]

Hmm.. interesting statistic. Did you read that somewhere or word of mouth? I have met 3 physicians who were prior nurses and all of them told me they were accepted their first application cycle, but I do not know how long they worked in the nursing field. And I know one medical student (she was accepted to Touro-Nevada) who was a nurse for 3 years and was accepted on her first application cycle.

I understand the nursing shortage, but I discovered too late into my schooling that nursing just was not for me. And unfortunately I am in a very accelerated nursing program where GPA's >3.5 are just unheard of except for a few students here and there.

I don't have the exact statistic, but that probably isn't far off. I was just clarifying the post you replied to.

Regardless of what you hear and the people you see get in, it's a stated fact that medical professionals (especially nurses) have a notoriously low matriculation rate into medical school. I'm not saying it's impossible, but if you manage to get a few interviews you can expect to be grilled from every angle on why you chose to stay in the nursing program even after you decided it wasn't for you. And you're going to need some really good answers.

 

[LizzyM]

It is September... how can you be too far in? I hate to say this but I think that nursing is not considered a "hard" major by adcoms and so a poor gpa (<3.7) in nursing is not going to help you get ahead.

 

[sailence]

I dont think it's a wasted spot, my nursing class had 60 students, we are now down to 15 and 6 months to go. This is with competitive nursing, not wait list or first come first server. So meaning if anyone got in because I did not apply then they would have barley gotten in and according to trend would not have made it very far.

And I didn't realize until doing a lot of clinicals about 350 hours worth that I wanted to be a doctor. I dont think it's a bad thing.

But luckily I will have my LPN degree and I dont think they will notice that or care as much...maybe anyway.

 

[xpinchx]

I dont think it's a wasted spot, my nursing class had 60 students, we are now down to 15 and 6 months to go. This is with competitive nursing, not wait list or first come first server. So meaning if anyone got in because I did not apply then they would have barley gotten in and according to trend would not have made it very far.

And I didn't realize until doing a lot of clinicals about 350 hours worth that I wanted to be a doctor. I dont think it's a bad thing.

But luckily I will have my LPN degree and I dont think they will notice that or care as much...maybe anyway.

Tell your sad story to an ADCOM . And if you just got your LPN then I doubt there was really much competition.

 

[sailence]

lol I dont think I would say it like that if I even mentioned it. But I do want them to know I have had over 500 clinical hours (350 now, over 500 when i graduate.)

 

[walrustooth]

man, now i know why I stayed away from SDN....such angst on some of these posts.

To the OP: I am finally glad someone claims that nursing school can be a extremely difficult. My wife had an excellent GPA prior to her enrolling in a 1 year BSN program and she is just squeezing by with Bs. I just don't think that many SDNers realize that accelerated BSN programs are very intense. My wife prints some 500-600 power point slides per course, complains of gunners and cheaters all the time. It really sickens me to hear about the intensity of it sometimes.

Your 3.3 is great for nursing school standard but here is the challenge. It is the fact that you are in an accelerated BSN program and your being compared to students in the traditional 4 year BSN program. It is not that the material is difficult, but the fact that it is compressed into one year. Despite the rigors and strong evidence of your tenacity I don't know how common of an animal an accelerated BSN is in applying to med school.

I'd speculate that even if you finish the accelerated BSN program with a 3.3 you'll still get an acceptance given good pre-reqs and MCAT. The bad news is that you won't get the acceptance when you want it. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until you graduate next year, work and take your pre-reqs.

I've heard that old argument of adcoms disliking nurses for admission purposes or the old argument that your "wasting" a nursing seat. Honestly, it just irks me to hear of these old rumors. Maybe their true, but I doubt it.

As for you being in the program, hang in there.
















My wife has 500-600 powerpoint slides per

 

[walrustooth]

Tell your sad story to an ADCOM . And if you just got your LPN then I doubt there was really much competition.

I find your post to be insulting and I'm reporting you to SDN. Can you not respectfully disagree?

 

[walrustooth]

It is September... how can you be too far in? I hate to say this but I think that nursing is not considered a "hard" major by adcoms and so a poor gpa (<3.7) in nursing is not going to help you get ahead.

bump

 

[Depakote]

This thread is over a month old but to anyone that is looking to jump in, let's keep comments nice and civil. Sound good?

 

[swinters369]

I'm currently in the middle of applying and am a double majoring Physiology/Nursing student and I completely sympathize with the "toughness" of the Nursing program. I can directly compare the two programs and my GPA drop is about 0.50 from Physio to Nursing.

As far as the difficulty of the application itself, explaining the jump from Nursing to Medicine has by FAR been my most difficult hurdle - both of my interviews so far were nearly 100% discussion re: the issue. At OSU, my interviewer said "So, Nursing huh?" and started drilling me on it before we even introduced each other.

What is frustrating is that in re: to how do I know I want to be doctor, most nursing students are more prepared than other disciplines to answer. With 300-400 hours of clincal experience, projects related to collaborative care, shadowing experiences in different hospital areas, etc, nursing students have every tool and analysis possible to feel VERY confident in saying they know what it means to be a doctor and how I can fit in.

I understand that in a utilitarian sense, taking a spot up in a nursing program is "unethical" or "wasteful" or whatever you may call it. However, in my experience, it is not this that it questioned, it is "how do you know you want to be a doctor". I would be fine explaining my reasons for entering Nursing int he first place, but that's not how it is.

At any rate, GOOD LUCK to any student nurse that is applying right out of school. It's a tough road, without a doubt, so just makes sure you have the MCAT to get recognized, and have a great response ready for interviews. It CAN be done (apply to Cincinnati, they showed me some love!)...

 

[45408]

bump

There really isn't any need to bump a thread 7 minutes after posting in it.

 

[walrustooth]

There really isn't any need to bump a thread 7 minutes after posting in it.

that was my smart@ss friend who typed that while I was getting coffee...sorry

 

[adamMD]

What does "bump" mean?

 

[CycleCA]

I wonder if anyone on here knows what kind of tests nursing students get... they're called "critical thinking" tests, and they test things you can't study for. It's very subjective, and they set the curve at about a B-... and people might talk about the nursing shortage and all that and blame individuals for switching majors, but that is so ignorant it's not even funny. The retention rate for nurses is way low, something like 10 percent leave nursing in the first year, and others that start on med surg floors leave at disproportionate rates, too. I was talking with a charge nurse last week who was telling me about losing 4 floor nurses over the last few months because they went to easier areas, etc. Case in point, if you want to blame someone for the nursing shortage, don't blame the nurse, blame administration/funding for not creating more schools. Why do I keep seeing people hate on the nurses that post, here? So ridiculous.

 

[Wylde]

10% of the class with a GPA over 3.5 isn't anything to warrant sympathy for you. You are applying to medical school, arguably the toughest "post-undergraduate" path. Being in the top 10% is where you need to be.

 

[Dr_Dan_the_man]

Just as a side note to back up the OP...

I come from a health-related professional program (not nursing) and if I had to give any pre-med advice I would tell them to definitely NOT enter a professional program.

As others have stated, much of the grading is done on a subjective basis.

Also, when I asked one of my teachers about the curve in her class, she responded with "nobody should worry about marks, you are in a professional program so as long as you pass you will be able to practice"
MORAL OF THE STORY: Many students who took spots in the program knowing all along they had the intention of pursuing med school got screwed!


And by the way, I think the statistic of how many health professionals matriculate is based on 2 things. First, the stigma that you are "wasting" a spot, so the ADCOM already has one strike against you. But more importantly, I don't think many of the students (BSN, for instance) really think about why they want to be a doctor beyond "well I can make more money and get more respect" ...
Being able to articulate your reasons for going into med school is so important. And knowing how many nurses and nursing students apply, you better have a pretty unique answer. The number of hours of clinical experience means nothing unless you learned something about yourself through those experiences.


And to finish off this rant....

As health professionals we should have an edge in this process. As a student and a professional, I have had much more clinical experience than the average premed. I have experienced first hand the good, the bad and the ugly sides of medicine and I STILL want to be a doctor.
I'm not some 20 year old bio major with a 3.9 and no clue why i actually want to be a doctor.
BUT that premed will have his choice of schools while I sit here like an idiot unless I can prove to the adcom that I want to be a doctor for the right reasons.

ok END RANT

 

[littlealex]

10% of the class with a GPA over 3.5 isn't anything to warrant sympathy for you. You are applying to medical school, arguably the toughest "post-undergraduate" path. Being in the top 10% is where you need to be.

Cannot agree more. I find this thread to be nothing more than a typical SDN's "my major is harder than your major, I should get in instead of you" thread.

I personally took a rather difficult major during college and my GPA suffered consequently. However, the truth is that there are people in my major with 4.0s, I'm just not smart enough to be one of them.

Excel in the majors you choose, and you will get your pick of schools. If you cannot excel, stop complaining about how others have it easier and maybe start walking that easier path?

As for those saying that nursing school tests are "critical thinking tests," DUH! Welcome to every other tests other people take. All of the engineering majors, math, physics, chemistry, and even economy and business have these 'critical thinking tests.' Biology is the only major I know with mostly pure memorization tests.

 

[CycleCA]

As health professionals we should have an edge in this process. As a student and a professional, I have had much more clinical experience than the average premed. I have experienced first hand the good, the bad and the ugly sides of medicine and I STILL want to be a doctor.
I'm not some 20 year old bio major with a 3.9 and no clue why i actually want to be a doctor.
BUT that premed will have his choice of schools while I sit here like an idiot unless I can prove to the adcom that I want to be a doctor for the right reasons.

ok END RANT

Yes yes, the right reasons for making the switch to MD. I've been saying it all along, "increased scope of practice." What's wrong if this ridiculously scrutinized question (why do you want to be a doctor) has a simple answer? That, and I think that when adcoms ask this question, they know the answer already. It's not like every nurse applying MD should have some elaborate, preconceived plan for hatching "THE answer to end ALL answers" in an interview when it comes up. It's like you said, you have seen the good bad and ugly side of medicne and you still want to be a doctor. Right now, for instance, I'm studying about cardiomyopathy, and we're going over TONS of physio, anatomy, and medical treatments, but in the end, all nurses are doing is looking for shortness of breath, fatigue, increased heart rate, and wheezes, etc. I can do all this with a stethescope and a vital signs machine. What I don't get to do is treat or diagnose the patient. That's my gripe with the whole thing. But, what I do get is a great intro to medicine and clinical experience that no one else has. So why couldn't I tell my interviewer that I went into nursing with the intention of being a nurse, but got the added benefit of receiving a decent introduction to medicine? The topic of why nurses want to enter medicine is (and I hate to use trite animated smileys) so played out it's not even funny. And, I speculate that this is in no small part due to the ill reception nurses get here when talking about why they want to become MD's... people automatically don't like them, say there's a nursing shortage, etc. and claim that adcoms think this or think that to negatively influence the nurse. So flog that horse. Flog it good.
We all know that some 22 year old bio major doesn't have the experience that a seasoned nontrad health professional has, and that this might be the reason that nurses applying MD intimidate the members of this board and get the reactions that they do.

 

[CycleCA]

As for those saying that nursing school tests are "critical thinking tests," DUH! Welcome to every other tests other people take. All of the engineering majors, math, physics, chemistry, and even economy and business have these 'critical thinking tests.' Biology is the only major I know with mostly pure memorization tests.

You don't know what you're talking about. In nursing, there are tests that ask questions based on clinical situations and things not covered in the text, lectures, or anywhere else. It's more subjective than you think. Shows how little you really know about nursing.

 

[MelnaisLacis]

If you can't pass nursing with high scores, why would a med school think you can handle its curriculum.

2nd. I work at a hospital in the clinical lab. Every couple minutes I hear one of us in the lab talking about how stupid the nurses are and how the can't get anything done on time or correct.

 

[CycleCA]

If you can't pass nursing with high scores, why would a med school think you can handle its curriculum.

2nd. I work at a hospital in the clinical lab. Every couple minutes I hear one of us in the lab talking about how stupid the nurses are and how the can't get anything done on time or correct.

And do you know what kind of tests med schools give? By the way, quit discouraging the OP. You have no idea what his/her situation is, what kind of curriculum their school has, or anything else about the OP except a few sentences. What's your GPA, and what's your major? Let me see how I can pick that apart, and then I'll discourage you.

 

[swinters369]

2nd. I work at a hospital in the clinical lab. Every couple minutes I hear one of us in the lab talking about how stupid the nurses are and how the can't get anything done on time or correct.

It's this line of thinking that will prompty place someone en route to being considered a pompous and disrespectful physician by other health care staff and patients. Building rapport with other staff is one of the easiest ways to provide quality care to patients and make your own job easier.

 

[MelnaisLacis]

While this may be true, I know who the good nurses are - the ones that I don't ever have to call to find out why they stupidly drew the wrong specimen or didn't label the specimen or didn't call the doctor to clarify the order - and I know who the bad nurses are. When you repeatedly have to deal with crappy nurses you get kind of jaded towards them. Same thing goes for the phlebs and desk clerks.

 

[CycleCA]

While this may be true, I know who the good nurses are - the ones that I don't ever have to call to find out why they stupidly drew the wrong specimen or didn't label the specimen or didn't call the doctor to clarify the order - and I know who the bad nurses are. When you repeatedly have to deal with crappy nurses you get kind of jaded towards them. Same thing goes for the phlebs and desk clerks.

I don't disagree with you about bad nurses. I've worked with plenty who are fat, lazy, incompetent, sarcastic/rude, and unwilling to assist with anything. To tell you the truth, I can bet that in certain units about 25-50% of the nurses, maybe more, are nasty people who you wouldn't want anything to do with. And they do give nursing a bad reputation. But, you've got to consider that there are also good nurses out there, too. Nursing school curriculums aren't easy, either. And you can't forget that for a nurse to get into med school, they've got to do a 4-5 year bachelor's degree, and then another 2 years of postbac work before they can even apply to med school. This also involves clinical time on top of regular school. Nursing isn't easy to get into or get out of, no matter what you think. People really don't give it the credit it deserves.

 

[MelnaisLacis]

I don't disagree with you about bad nurses. I've worked with plenty who are fat, lazy, incompetent, sarcastic/rude, and unwilling to assist with anything. To tell you the truth, I can bet that in certain units about 25-50% of the nurses, maybe more, are nasty people who you wouldn't want anything to do with. And they do give nursing a bad reputation. But, you've got to consider that there are also good nurses out there, too. Nursing school curriculums aren't easy, either. And you can't forget that for a nurse to get into med school, they've got to do a 4-5 year bachelor's degree, and then another 2 years of postbac work before they can even apply to med school. This also involves clinical time on top of regular school. Nursing isn't easy to get into or get out of, no matter what you think. People really don't give it the credit it deserves.

I love how you laced those words together. It seems like music almost. My grandma, stepmom, and 3 aunts are nurses. My sister is currently in nursing school. I know how it works. Nurses are necessary, but I'd say about 40 percent of them where I work are the lazy ones, especially the ones on the night shifts lol.

 

[CycleCA]

I love how you laced those words together. It seems like music almost. My grandma, stepmom, and 3 aunts are nurses. My sister is currently in nursing school. I know how it works. Nurses are necessary, but I'd say about 40 percent of them where I work are the lazy ones, especially the ones on the night shifts lol.

Yeah, 40% is a good estimate. Fat lazy and incompetent is such a good description of them, though. But it's true, unfortunately. I myself am a nursing student, and I don't like a lot of nurses. I don't even like myself sometimes for being a nurse. But, I still say that nursing school has changed in the last 10 years, and it's not easy.

 

[ecca58]

While this may be true, I know who the good nurses are - the ones that I don't ever have to call to find out why they stupidly drew the wrong specimen or didn't label the specimen or didn't call the doctor to clarify the order - and I know who the bad nurses are. When you repeatedly have to deal with crappy nurses you get kind of jaded towards them. Same thing goes for the phlebs and desk clerks.

Oh! Oh! Don't forget the clinical lab techs that drop important blood specimens (especially the coags) and shatter them on the floor~. Man, some of these patients have horrible veins, you know~. Or, the lab techs that let the blood clot so we have to recollect it 3 hours AFTER we sent in the specimens.

But, the truth of the fact is, every one says horrible things about every one else. As a nurse tech, I see docs, nurses, phlebs, clerks, lab techs, rad techs, house keeping, etc.... every one calling other people stupid. Of course it's not a nice thing. But then, it does make work somewhat interesting, too.

 

[ecca58]

I love how you laced those words together. It seems like music almost. My grandma, stepmom, and 3 aunts are nurses. My sister is currently in nursing school. I know how it works. Nurses are necessary, but I'd say about 40 percent of them where I work are the lazy ones, especially the ones on the night shifts lol.

Hey, I work during nights!!! 🙁

Go night shift!!!!👍

 

[MelnaisLacis]

As you don't understand the clotting factors and the use of additives... if you draw the specimen correctly into a tube with additive, edta or the heparins, the specimen won't clot ever. The length of time the tube sits has no bearing on whether or not the specimen clots. It is all about if it was collected correctly and mixed properly while collecting.

Our tubes don't shatter. But yeah, I've seen some people drop tubes, it's pretty funny.

I do the Graves man 7 on/7 off so I can interview during the off week lol.

 

[Instatewaiter]

And do you know what kind of tests med schools give?

multiple choice

Building rapport with other staff is one of the easiest ways to provide quality care to patients and make your own job easier.

Word

It is September... how can you be too far in? I hate to say this but I think that nursing is not considered a "hard" major by adcoms and so a poor gpa (<3.7) in nursing is not going to help you get ahead.

The above poster is purported to be an adcom member.

 

[bsax007]

As for those saying that nursing school tests are "critical thinking tests," DUH! Welcome to every other tests other people take. All of the engineering majors, math, physics, chemistry, and even economy and business have these 'critical thinking tests.' Biology is the only major I know with mostly pure memorization tests.

As an engineering major, I give a fervent "AMEN."

 

[BlackSails]

The above poster is purported to be an adcom member.

I believe SDN has confirmed her identity.

 

[Rocky25]

How should I explain my pathetically low nursing school GPA? I realized about 10 minutes into nursing school that it was not for me. However, I am too far into this to back out now. I had a near 4.0 GPA at my previous school and a 3.7 at my current school before entering my accelerated nursing program. I am averaging a 3.38 GPA in nursing school (I will have completed 60 credit hours of nursing classes when I finish in 2008).

Anyone here have a prior BSN degree? I am sure they will sympathize with a low nursing GPA. Out of my entire nursing class, I know of about 5 students out of the 50+ who actually maintain a 3.5+ GPA.

I have been working as a nurse aide for the past six months and it has been extremely helpful during the application process. I think that since you also plan to work as a nurse while finishing your pre-recs you will be in great shape. You will have plenty to say about your reasons for wanting to go into medicine and will be able to talk about medicine easily becuase of all the the experiences that you will have. Also since you had higher GPA's from previous schools your cume will still be fine, and you will have all of your pre-recs to also build it back up. good luck.

 

[PinkLittmann]

Go for it! If you have the strength to power through nursing and then med school good for you. I would say it is important to work as a nurse for a significant amount of time, otherwise you will appear to lack direction and conviction. There is no denying that when people change their minds over a short period of time it does not look good. I think nursing is going to serve you well as a career before you become a doctor, you will have a great opportunity to learn. I am currently working as a CNA while I apply to med school. It's certainly not a glamorous or technical job by any means, but its surprising what you learn about dealing with people, dying, and death. You will have a great many experiences by the time you enter medical school that will help shape you into an even better physician. I say study up and try to do even better next semester. If there is one thing everyone loves is the underdog that comes through in the end.

 

[CycleCA]

I would say it is important to work as a nurse for a significant amount of time, otherwise you will appear to lack direction and conviction.

Trust me, adcoms don't think this... same goes for anyone else who majors in biology and then doesn't work at a fish hatchery for 3 years, or a chem major who didn't go work for shell oil for a year, etc etc.

 

[foreverLaur]

Trust me, adcoms don't think this... same goes for anyone else who majors in biology and then doesn't work at a fish hatchery for 3 years, or a chem major who didn't go work for shell oil for a year, etc etc.

Not true. There isn't a massive shortage of biology and chemistry majors. There isn't a select number of competitive spots to be biology or chemistry majors. Every premed advisor and adcom I have talked to have told me the exact opposite - med schools do not like to accept nurses.