Nursing

[Megan503]

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Hi everyone!

Here's my story - I'm currently a junior at a small private college working towards my BSN. I can honestly say that I thought nursing was for me when I was first starting out, but now? Not so much. I dream about practicing medicine - I want to make medical diagnoses, not nursing diagnoses. I keep going back and forth about switching my major to pre-med, but I feel as though I've got so much money (& time!) invested in the nursing program that I might as well just finish it. Since this semester is half way done, I only have 3 1/2 more semesters until I graduate, so should I just stick with the nursing program and graduate with my BSN? I read that med schools look down upon applicants that have a nursing degree - which is why I'm considering switching majors so late in the game.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
-Megan

 

[dannye3]

I've read a lot of blogs of nurses who later transitioned to med school to get an MD (or some, a DO), and yes...a lot of med schools may not want to accept someone who already has a nursing degree, but not all of them. Lots of nurses have successfully transitioned to medical school.

My unprofessional advice? Finish what you started. A nursing degree will always be better than something that shows you "quit/gave up" in the middle of something which NO medical school would like seeing.

Especially since you only have 3 1/2 semesters left.

 

[packofneurons]

I was a nursing student and just changed my mind over the summer. I had more credits to finish than you did, so the decision was probably a lot easier than the one you're facing. I'm assuming most of your credits will be clinical, but maybe you can also incorporate the sciences you need if you have extra free time? That way you can finish your BSN.
If you are thinking about pursuing medical school - go for it! My decision came so easily because I told myself I didn't want to regret not trying to get into medical school.

 

[mulzstl]

I am currently in the accelerated nursing program and have 2 more semesters to go. i completely understand what you are saying. the nursing diagnosis stuff is not cutting it.😴 i am thinkin of doing the MCAT in April 09. i am so torn! I just know that nursing is not for me. i really dont want to quit nursing school just to quit. what else am i going to do with myself🙄

 

[sindadel]

If you know what you want, can't you switch your major to general science, take the appropriate pre-med courses in the next 3 semesters as well as the appropriate upper-divisions courses to graduate with a Bachelor's? If you finish your BSN then you will have to spend money on roughly 3 semesters of courses anyway, so that will be an additional cost.

I would sit down with the course catalog and an excel spreadsheet and evaluate your options for completing your degree on time and on-track for med school. I would wait to take the MCAT though so that you are well-prepared. With your clinical connections, you can probably spend a gap year profitably engaged in clinical volunteering/work.

 

[Charleston990]

Hi Megan!

I too am a nursing major (sophomore), and I've decided to continue on with my degree. The decision was made a little easier for me because my dream school also happens to be rather open-minded, but I also think that showing we have the patience and will to finish what we begin is a good thing. Being a nurse also gives the advantage of having serious experience working with live patients, and an understanding of basic clinical skills and procedures. Working in a hospital will not be a theoretical concept for us, nor will it be limited to what they allow volunteers to handle. We'll have critical responsibilities just within our first year of working.

But not switching majors doesn't mean that you can't start preparing your application! Its kind of difficult trying to tiptoe around the nursing board and your advisor without raising suspicions, I know, but it is possible! For example; lab experience is highly valued in most medical schools, and now in undergrad school, would be the most appropriate time to gain it. Try to get in an independent biological research slot!

Here's an encouraging blog I've found btw from an English nurse-to-med student http://nurse-to-doctor.blogspot.com/

 

[mp1106]

Hi everyone!

Here's my story - I'm currently a junior at a small private college working towards my BSN. I can honestly say that I thought nursing was for me when I was first starting out, but now? Not so much. I dream about practicing medicine - I want to make medical diagnoses, not nursing diagnoses. I keep going back and forth about switching my major to pre-med, but I feel as though I've got so much money (& time!) invested in the nursing program that I might as well just finish it. Since this semester is half way done, I only have 3 1/2 more semesters until I graduate, so should I just stick with the nursing program and graduate with my BSN? I read that med schools look down upon applicants that have a nursing degree - which is why I'm considering switching majors so late in the game.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
-Megan

Wait a minute. This is your life don't waste a minute of it doing something you don't enjoy. Start focusing on your pre-med requirements and your hospital volunteering requirements. It will save you lots of time and money in the long run. Although, I would encourage you to get your RN license if you could since the grass is not always greener on the other side. You will always have something to fall back on in case somethings go wrong with your medical career like not getting into medical school in the first try. You will already have had a career that is in demand. Good Luck to you!!!

 

[njbmd]

Hi everyone!

Here's my story - I'm currently a junior at a small private college working towards my BSN. I can honestly say that I thought nursing was for me when I was first starting out, but now? Not so much. I dream about practicing medicine - I want to make medical diagnoses, not nursing diagnoses. I keep going back and forth about switching my major to pre-med, but I feel as though I've got so much money (& time!) invested in the nursing program that I might as well just finish it. Since this semester is half way done, I only have 3 1/2 more semesters until I graduate, so should I just stick with the nursing program and graduate with my BSN? I read that med schools look down upon applicants that have a nursing degree - which is why I'm considering switching majors so late in the game.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
-Megan

Medical schools don't care about your degree in nursing or anything else as long as you are competitive and have met their pre-reqs. Do a search (Use the Search function in the upper right corner of the tool bar) on this forum as there are many threads that discuss RN to MD and other acceptance issues that may affect nurses. Some nurses enter medical school every year and as a veteran admissions committee member, we DON'T care if you are a nurse as long as you are otherwise qualified.