Rn (almost NP) to DO... need advice

[amberlynnp13]

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hello!! Let me apologize now if I jump all over!! I also apologize for errors currently feeding my 4 month old!!

I have been wanting to be a physician since I could remember.. I had a child very very young and thought it would never happen. I am a nurse... I have a BSN.. currently in Np program and I am almost finished it.. I decided 4 years ago I was going to pursue medicine.. took some
Pre-reqs.. then 2016 happened.. my husband and I had been trying for one more child before I applied to medical school.. but I had a series of losses and I gave up on everything..

Then one day I saw an ad for NP and decided to do it but in the back of my mind I knew I still wanted to go to medical school but decided to settle.. so recently I can't shake this feeling that I made a huge mistake and need to pursue medical school still.. I know I'll never be happy as an NP I have worked with enough to know.. (I will finish this program as my back up plan and a way to make money while in school)

I just turned 30 so I feel like I'm getting to old.. I know this is a marathon and not a sprint but aging is terrifying me..

So a little more about me...
Nurse for 10 years... critical care. i work in icus and Ers.. I worked with many residents and physicians.. i met before with many adcoms at Rowan's DO program (3-4 years ago) who told me I had a good chance of getting in..

My gpa is not great.. I haven't totaled it in a long time but I believe it was about 3.1-3.2 and I believe science gpa was 3.7-3.9 these do not include my NP program which I have a 4.0..

I still need to take organic chem 2 and physics 2 and take mcat

I use to take my daughter to soup kitchens and we would do this once a month.. we had a back pack Drive for three years.. as mentioned I work with physicians every day I know what they do and it's what I want to do. I don't have formal shadowing.. and not many other e.c. I was president of the science club for one year at Rowan at Gloucester county college

Why not NP.. NP limits me.. I want to work autonomously. I want to be able to work in an ER and take care of my critical patients. I'd like the option of possible going into surgery..

I just recently moved to VA from Nj. I'd like to go to vcom or Rowan's DO program.. thinking of vcoms post bacc but rather not do it if I don't need to..

So my plan... study organic chem and physics (it's been 3 years since I took orgo 1 (got b+) and physics 1 (got A) and study for mcat.. take mcat prep course during the summer then mcat after.. in September take orgo 2 and physics 2 and apply to Med schools..

Problem: I don't remember other pre reqs... like basics I don't remember! I don't even know where to start! I have flash cards and I feel like 8 out of 10 cards I don't remember! This is an important test and I don't want to rush and take something I'm not ready for.. so what is the best course of action? I figured once I get my basics again I'd take the pre course..

So I just need advice.. does this all seem ok.. I really want this but this requires more then simply Wanting it.. my over all gpa isn't great.. I know school is hard but I know I can do it.. what is the best way to approach the mcat when I don't remember stuff.. also what would help strengthen my app.. any and all advice will be appreciated.

Sorry this was all soooo long but I appreciate you helping

 

[PastorDoc]

The mcat is biochem heavy. It would be crucial to finish Orgo 1 and 2 first as they are usually the prerequisite for biochem classes. I wouldn’t attempt the mcat until you have a solid grasp of biochemistry.

With regards to forgetting some of the basic sciences, invest in some quality content review. An mcat prep course can come in handy here if you need a refresher. Be honest with yourself and gauge where you’re at. If you’re okay with the material, take lots of practice tests. Try different companies. The most indicative however are the AAMC ones. You want to do well on the real thing on the first attempt.

Find a DO to shadow and secure an LOR. Also we’re not old (I’m 34), just more seasoned 😉

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

If there are no family issues holding you back from doing this (eg, financial or unsupportive spouse), I don't see why not? You should finish all your prerequisites though.

 

[deleted480308]

Yeah, finish the np...then the prereqs while going over some mcat prep books, take an mcat assesment to gauge your score range, then and only then if ok take the mcat

Good luck and I’d suggest choosing an anonymous profile pic

 

[JustPlainBill]

So my degree was about 15 years old when I started taking prereqs. I wound up having to take virtually everything except physics -- so I didn't. That was a mistake since I had forgotten most if not all of physics. Probably would've bumped my MCAT by 3-4 points (wish I had taken A&P 2 also before the MCAT) --- my advice? Take your time, get into a good pre-med program -- as I've said elsewhere, you're laying in a foundation. have your credits transferred over, audit some of the classes you've forgotten and then walk out of there with a solid pre-med degree and the backing of a pre-med department. if I can do med school at 42 with a wife, 2 children and a neurotic Jack Russell with absolutely no clinical background save 2 months as a chiropractic assistant, you can do this....don't sell yourself short or screw up your base in your rush to get into medical school.

 

[amberlynnp13]

Tha man everyone for all the advice!!!! I feel Overwhelmed! I know this is what I want! I'm scared of screwing it up or not being good enough to get in! I'm don't take all of the advice I was given... I think I'm trying to rush it to much and I need to take my time.. I just feel to old.. but I truly truly appreciate you all! Thanks guys

 

[allojay]

Tha man everyone for all the advice!!!! I feel Overwhelmed! I know this is what I want! I'm scared of screwing it up or not being good enough to get in! I'm don't take all of the advice I was given... I think I'm trying to rush it to much and I need to take my time.. I just feel to old.. but I truly truly appreciate you all! Thanks guys

It sounds like you're going to go for it and I'm happy for you. Feel free to PM me for any tips or help that you may need throughout the process. To add, if your grades aren't bad at all, I don't think it would hurt to apply to an MD school as well. The way I see it, you can maximize your chances of being accepted just because you can't always trust what adcoms say.