Pre-Med vs. Nursing Help!!

[kari97]

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Hi guys!

I'm currently a senior in a Texas high school who has been accepted to both biology(premed) and nursing school. I'm having a hard time deciding which path to pursue. My status as an international student is further complicating my issue. I've read in many forums that it's close to impossible to be a doctor in the U.S. if you're an international student, since I would have to show appropriate funds before-hand, without the aid of any federal loans. However, since I'm a resident of Texas, where there are a lot of undocumented students, I'm eligible for some state funds and loans (I still don't know to what extent though). Until about a month ago I was dead set on taking the medicine route and willing to surpass the hurdles of an international med student for the end result. However, recently I've been reading many negative remarks/regrets from med students for pursuing medicine and many doctors saying that it's not worth being a doctor anymore. If domestic students are having that much difficulty, I can't imagine the amount of complications an international student like me would have.
The alternative option that I've is to first get a BSN and then be a Nurse Practitioner or Anesthetist. I understand that to be a CRNA or NP, I will need clinical experience first. My status as international student is again hindering my aspirations, since I will only get a 1 year work permit after my BSN, which is barely sufficient for M.S. in NP. If I wanted to be an Anesthetist, I would have to have 1 year ICU experience, which is very hard to obtain right out of grad school.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm very disheartened at this point and need advice soon. Thank You!

 

[PlaqueBuster]

There is no such thing as medicine route until you actually apply to medical school during your junior year of undergrad. Until then pursue biology in undergrad, take the pre-reqs for medical school admission and worry about what your interests are in 2-3 years. You can also go to nursing school and apply to medical school if you really wanted. Many people have posted on that here in SDN.

You are too naive right now and you will be until you start volunteering and shadowing. Only then can you realize if medicine is right for you.

 

[j4pac]

Hi guys!

I'm currently a senior in a Texas high school who has been accepted to both biology(premed) and nursing school. I'm having a hard time deciding which path to pursue. My status as an international student is further complicating my issue. I've read in many forums that it's close to impossible to be a doctor in the U.S. if you're an international student, since I would have to show appropriate funds before-hand, without the aid of any federal loans. However, since I'm a resident of Texas, where there are a lot of undocumented students, I'm eligible for some state funds and loans (I still don't know to what extent though). Until about a month ago I was dead set on taking the medicine route and willing to surpass the hurdles of an international med student for the end result. However, recently I've been reading many negative remarks/regrets from med students for pursuing medicine and many doctors saying that it's not worth being a doctor anymore. If domestic students are having that much difficulty, I can't imagine the amount of complications an international student like me would have.
The alternative option that I've is to first get a BSN and then be a Nurse Practitioner or Anesthetist. I understand that to be a CRNA or NP, I will need clinical experience first. My status as international student is again hindering my aspirations, since I will only get a 1 year work permit after my BSN, which is barely sufficient for M.S. in NP. If I wanted to be an Anesthetist, I would have to have 1 year ICU experience, which is very hard to obtain right out of grad school.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm very disheartened at this point and need advice soon. Thank You!

I'm sorry...I don't under your issue.

You are a Texas resident deciding between pre-med and pre-nursing?

If you are a Texas graduate...I don't see how you will have any trouble getting into medical school if you have a good portfolio. Am I missing something here?

When I was in high school I was too busy trying to fight acne, hook up with girls, and keep my professional baseball dreams alive!

 

[kari97]

I'm sorry...I don't un
der your issue.

You are a Texas resident deciding between pre-med and pre-nursing?

If you are a Texas graduate...I don't see how you will have any trouble getting into medical school if you have a good portfolio. Am I missing something here?

When I was in high school I was too busy trying to fight acne, hook up with girls, and keep my professional baseball dreams alive!

Here in Texas, to be classified as a Texas resident all you have to do is to attend a Texas high school for 36 months. Even though I'm Texas resident, I'm still an international student on F1 visa.

Hahaha, wish I could focus on those stuffs instead of stressing too much 🙁

 

[kari97]

There is no such thing as medicine route until you actually apply to medical school during your junior year of undergrad. Until then pursue biology in undergrad, take the pre-reqs for medical school admission and worry about what your interests are in 2-3 years. You can also go to nursing school and apply to medical school if you really wanted. Many people have posted on that here in SDN.

You are too naive right now and you will be until you start volunteering and shadowing. Only then can you realize if medicine is right for you.

There is no such thing as medicine route until you actually apply to medical school during your junior year of undergrad. Until then pursue biology in undergrad, take the pre-reqs for medical school admission and worry about what your interests are in 2-3 years. You can also go to nursing school and apply to medical school if you really wanted. Many people have posted on that here in SDN.

You are too naive right now and you will be until you start volunteering and shadowing. Only then can you realize if medicine is right for you.

I think I'm stressing too much for my own good. Thank for your feedback. I really appreciate it.

 

[s5260205]

Here in Texas, to be classified as a Texas resident all you have to do is to attend a Texas high school for 36 months. Even though I'm Texas resident, I'm still an international student on F1 visa.

Hahaha, wish I could focus on those stuffs instead of stressing too much 🙁

You will still be an international student for medical school admissions purpose without a green card. The only medical school in Texas that accepts international students is TCOM which only has 10% of spots reserved for both international and out-of-state students. It will be an uphill battle for you to get into a medical school. You will need much higher GPAs and MCAT than domestic students to gain admissions. Pursue the undergraduate degree you think you will be most interested in and try to do well in school before even considering all the medical school applications.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Find a us citizen significant other and marry them before med school applications

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Find a us citizen significant other and marry them before med school applications

It's certainly not a quick process...

 

[Purplespider]

Hi guys!

I'm currently a senior in a Texas high school who has been accepted to both biology(premed) and nursing school. I'm having a hard time deciding which path to pursue. My status as an international student is further complicating my issue. I've read in many forums that it's close to impossible to be a doctor in the U.S. if you're an international student, since I would have to show appropriate funds before-hand, without the aid of any federal loans. However, since I'm a resident of Texas, where there are a lot of undocumented students, I'm eligible for some state funds and loans (I still don't know to what extent though). Until about a month ago I was dead set on taking the medicine route and willing to surpass the hurdles of an international med student for the end result. However, recently I've been reading many negative remarks/regrets from med students for pursuing medicine and many doctors saying that it's not worth being a doctor anymore. If domestic students are having that much difficulty, I can't imagine the amount of complications an international student like me would have.
The alternative option that I've is to first get a BSN and then be a Nurse Practitioner or Anesthetist. I understand that to be a CRNA or NP, I will need clinical experience first. My status as international student is again hindering my aspirations, since I will only get a 1 year work permit after my BSN, which is barely sufficient for M.S. in NP. If I wanted to be an Anesthetist, I would have to have 1 year ICU experience, which is very hard to obtain right out of grad school.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm very disheartened at this point and need advice soon. Thank You!

In my opinion, it is whatever you think that you would enjoy doing the best. Whenever I have a hard time weighing in on what to do, I always make two columns and write what I need to write in them so I get a visual sense of what I need to accomplish and then my decision goes from there. You can also talk to your counselor at your local school. Also, you can do research and see if that helps narrow down your choices. I wish you the best. Purplespider, CNA

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Like what?

OP- I'm trying to decide between an NP and DO/MD

Poster above ^^ - here is this ad for an EKG tech course, which is neither of those things and isn't even really close to anything relevant

 

[GypsyHummus]

Go to dental school. Trust me

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Uh no, dental school will leave you with more debt than medical school. And the starting salary is lower than family medicine.

 

[samac]

The get married idea is great.
Don't have to love them, just a business transaction.
If I didn't get my scholarship to undergrad I was seriously considering marrying a friend just to be considered independent. I wouldn't have qualified for any financial help otherwise. My mom is a nurse practitioner who at that time was paying her own loans.

 

[c12H22O11]

What did you end up deciding? I am in a similar situation as you. But I currently hold DACA ( Deferred action for Childhood arrivals) and all it gives me is a Work Permit renewable every two years. My parents and I are looking to resolve this issue by obtaining this visa, but the waitlist is long ( been waiting since March 2014 for a response and should hear by OCT 2016 ) and if all goes correctly, We should hear back with out Green card by May of 2020. I will be 25 at the time, currently 21. So I needed to graduate with something that would provide me with a substantial income. Don't get me wrong, I currently work as a Tech certified as a Nursing Assistant in ICU and ER, but the pay is crappy and I cannot do that for much longer. I have done it for 2.5 years already.

My plan was:

Graduate community college with AS in Nursing. ( Community college because in Louisiana where I am from, we get charged Out of State tuition due to citizenship status, even though I have lived in the state since 2007 and graduated High school here and have a drivers liscense from Louisiana as well. Then immediately begin working as a nurse and complete the bachelor's portion remaining of my nursing degree as well as getting started on pre med classes at an University since the hospital I work for pays for a big part of that. At this point, It will be December 2019 and I could be wrapping up pre reqs and getting ready to apply for the Summer 2020 ( and be 25 years when applying) or Summer 2021 cycle ( 26 years when I apply).

I know there is other careers I could consider such as CRNA and NP.. but from my experience from working at a hospital. They do not get the same level of respect for their knowledge and their work. Especially the NPs.