Previous med student wanting to reapply

[lml1120]

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hi, I attended a DO school for 3 semesters, all in good standing. At that time I took a medical leave of absence for a year and planned to return the following year. After taking leave though I changed my career path to nursing and needless to say did not return. Like I said, I left in good standing and my professors even wrote letters of rec for nursing school and were completely supportive. However, it’s been eating away at me ever since I left and I really want to go back. Nursing just isn’t fulfilling that passion for medicine as much as I had hoped. Though i must admit it has taught me invaluable lessons.

My question is really which schools would I be able to return to? I understand I will have to retake the MCAT and repeat all of my med school classes and I’m willing to do that. I’m just unsure of how my situation will be received by the schools I’m applying to.

 

[Goro]

At my school, we'd wonder why you didn't come back after the LOA was over, especially if there is even a whiff of mental health issues.

Your chances are probably best at your DO school.

 

[lml1120]

At my school, we'd wonder why you didn't come back after the LOA was over, especially if there is even a whiff of mental health issues.

Your chances are probably best at your DO school.

This is what I expected. Though my husband is very adamant that he does not want to move back there.

Long story short I had a stroke at the end of my first year and continued with my class after only 3 weeks recovery. I was offered a LOA at the time but I wanted to continue on. I completed another semester and with subsequent hospitalizations r/t complications I realized I should take the LOA and heal. So I did. Got my health all figured out and I’ve had no problems since then. It also gave me time to evaluate my career path. I had a lot of insecurities about the responsibility of those life and death decisions that would ultimately be mine to make. And that I would be responsible for making the wrong decision as inevitably every provider does from time to time. So I thought hey nursing would give me that buffer. Ultimately the liability is not on the nurse but on the doctor, but I would still get that patient care, saving lives career. Since then my nursing practice has given me confidence in clinical practice. I am often times frustrated by the limitations of my nursing license and want the autonomy and responsibly of a medical license.

 

[Goro]

Ok, I think if you play up the health angle, and are ready to go back, then explain as you did here (with some spin), and apply broadly.

Sorry to hear of your woes.

 

[GypsyHummus]

What are the nurse practitioner laws in your state? Many States allow for close to full autonomy when it comes to NPs.

Alternatively, if you want the autonomy but a less stressful career for your health, dentistry might be an option. If you were able to get into a DO school, you might be able to get into a DDS school, but they are a bit more competitive. However, the DAT is lightyears easier than the MCAT.

Optometry might also be worth a look, as the work is very clean and less stressful as well. You might find it limited due to just primary care of eyes.

I usually recommend Podiatry, but the first two years are gonna be a lot of stress, as most Pod schools mimick the first two years of Med school work wise. Once you get out, the work might be less stressful, and you still have the chance to save limbs and lives.

Hope this helps. Glad your health is getting better, and I hope you continue to stay healthy. No profession, not even medicine, is worth risking someone’s health/life.

 

[IMGASMD]

Ok, I think if you play up the health angle, and are ready to go back, then explain as you did here (with some spin), and apply broadly.

Sorry to hear of your woes.

OP, you have a good story. And obviously you did just fine to have graduated from nursing. Like the other poster have said, how about NP? Or like Goro suggested go back to your original school? Maybe they’d still give you some credits? Then you’d only have to do a year of basic sciences? Also your husband won’t have to be somewhere for whole 4 years?

 

[JugglesMed]

I think you'll have a shot. You have legit reasons