Nursing School Maybe

[bmdoggy]

Hi I am currently a pre med student at a private university. I have a 3.94 GPA and have taken all the pre med pre requistes except physics and organic chemistry 2. My first B plus was in organic but I had a super heavy course load and had to get a job since financial difficulties are weighing on me. This might have contributed to my lowered grade in organic. Even though I rank near the top of my institution as a molecular biology major I cannot afford my institution anymore. My local college offers an accelerated BSN degree and I was thinking I could get my BSN for free since my state would pay for me and then graduate the same time as my current college counterparts. I could then work a year and save up some money and then try for med school. I know I am smart enough to go to med school and have the ability. I am just wondering if my plan sounds viable. It really stinks to make good grades but not be able to keep going to a university since I cannot afford it.

I have been hearing that going to nursing school and then medical school is a waste of time, but for me it is the only financial option I see. Will being a nurse before applying to med school prevent me from getting accepted into med school or help me. My dream is to be a doctor but I literally cannot afford that dream any longer. Please help.

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[holycrap]

I don't know, but if you explain your situation maybe they'll be understanding. I think you should do it though, especially if it's your only option.

 

[magmag]

Talk to your advisors/counselors to make sure there are no additional scholarships available first. (I was offered a random memorial scholarship to cover my tuition after I told my advisor I had applied elsewhere and was transferring bc of finances.) If there isn't, nursing school followed by med school works as a great path for many people.
In general, a 3.94 is great, esp while working. Keep working hard and things will work out!


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[ciestar]

It can hurt, if you can't prove or explain why you don't want to do nursing. This came up for me multiple times.

 

[Gurby]

It can hurt, if you can't prove or explain why you don't want to do nursing. This came up for me multiple times.

If you were a nurse I'm sure it came up a lot because it was probably the centerpiece of your application? I'm a paramedic and it comes up every single interview, but it's always a positive thing. Seems like it should be pretty easy to spin this your favor?

"I started college as a biology major with the goal of eventually going to medical school, but due to financial obligations and the fact that I was offered a full scholarship to the program, it seemed to make more sense for me to change majors and pursue a BSN. Through my [3000 hours of] clinical experience in nursing school and working as a nurse afterwards I gained exposure to many different aspects of the healthcare system, interacted with healthcare professionals of all kinds, and confirmed that I really enjoy working with and being around patients. However, I always felt dissatisfied with my knowledge base and felt that I wanted to be more involved in the medical decision making process and guiding definitive care of my patients. etc..."

 

[ciestar]

If you were a nurse I'm sure it came up a lot because it was probably the centerpiece of your application? I'm a paramedic and it comes up every single interview, but it's always a positive thing. Seems like it should be pretty easy to spin this your favor?

"I started college as a biology major with the goal of eventually going to medical school, but due to financial obligations and the fact that I was offered a full scholarship to the program, it seemed to make more sense for me to change majors and pursue a BSN. Through my [3000 hours of] clinical experience in nursing school and working as a nurse afterwards I gained exposure to many different aspects of the healthcare system, interacted with healthcare professionals of all kinds, and confirmed that I really enjoy working with and being around patients. However, I always felt dissatisfied with my knowledge base and felt that I wanted to be more involved in the medical decision making process and guiding definitive care of my patients. etc..."

Basically what I was saying, compelling reasons. You definitely presented a well articulated answer, which does work in your favor. With me through nursing, I gained exposure to many different aspects of medicine which did lead me down the path I am on now.

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Nursing is a career not a pre-med activity
Why don't you continue your degree at your state school? You could then work in your field during your gap year and save up to apply.

 

[bmdoggy]

Thanks for all the feedback, its super helpful and I really appreciate it. I could go back to a state institution to finish out my degree. But hardly any of my credit will transfer since I went to a private liberal arts college. So instead of finishing in 4 years I would finish in 5 years. And I do not know how that would look to medical school committees. Also for scholarships, I already talked to financial aid and they gave me some money but not enough to really help me out. I would still need to graduate early and take a super hard class load which would probably jeopardize my GPA.

 

[ac62994]

Go for the free BSN.

I know a lot of former pre-meds that went into nursing, because "it will look good for application" which I always respond with a fake smile and nod. But, your case is much for fair and compelling. What pre-nursing student takes Molecular Biology as their major and end up with 3.94 GPA?

 

[doctorbob23]

Tough call. But I'll tell you it's gonna be tough going from a fair salary to the negatives after you start med school. Just have the answer to why you became a nurse rehearsed to the T