RN going into pre-med, guidance appreciated

[ezmillion]

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Hi, I am new to the site and am trying to find some advice on pre-med classes 🙂

I am an RN with 1 year of experience and am finding that I am not taking care of my patients in the capacity that I would like. I am enrolling in pre-med classes starting this summer along with some other nursing classes for my BSN. My question is regarding my schedule of classes and how I should work through them, this is the schedule I have worked out so far:

Summer session 1 2011: pre calculus
summer session 2 2011: nursing classes ending
fall 2011: calculs, biology 1, chem 1
spring 2012: chem 2, physics 1, biology 2
summer session 1 2012: organic chem 1
summer session 2 2012: organic chem 2, physics 2

I would like to take the MCAT in early August 2012 and still apply, in hopes of being admitted for the Fall of 2013. I know this deters me from early decision, but my GPA is 4.0 with all everything combined and am hoping that this will help as long as I can keep it up.

Am I setting myself up for failure? I have taken 2-3 classes every summer before, but I also know the difficulty was no where near that of O chem. I am afraid if I spread my classes out too much it is going to appear that I cannot handle much in a short time span, which is not the case.

Also my second question is regarding commuting to med school. I live a little over an hour away from the med school I am hoping to apply to. Relocating is not really an option. Will I have to be in class everyday or are there days where I can get lecture online? Is commuting realistic?

Thank you for any advice and/or suggestions!

 

[slatermd]

I think that is a good schedule, especially if you are planning on studying for your MCAT while you are taking Orgo 1.

I know students who commute close to an hour to medical school. It is not ideal but they definitely survive.

It seems like you know that applying late will hurt your chances; I hope you'll be willing to apply a second time if you don't get in the first cycle. It is usually recommended that people apply as broadly as possible; applying to just one school is really rolling the dice and will likely test your perseverance. Good luck!

 

[the duck]

A few things:

Why are you continuing to taking nursing courses? It seems like a waste of time if your going to switch careers. Also, medical schools may find it a bit odd that you are taking classes toward one profession, while at the same time trying to leave it.

I notice you say relocating is not an option. Heres the issue, the chances of getting into the particular medical you want, is quite low. Many people apply to 20 or 30 schools, in hops of getting a few acceptances. If you are really wanting to pursue medicine, you will have to be willing to relocate, more likely than not.

On a brighter note, considering you already showed you ability to do well through your 4.0, and the fact that you have to work, and I don't think med schools will care that you are only taking pre-reqs over the summer, and spaced out.

 

[bucks2010]

Org I & II + MCAT all in a summer sounds rough but I've seen it done successfully.

I think you should stick to your plan and finish your BSN. You may that you don't want to be a nurse, but you're so far into it, I think just sticking out will show your willingness to finish something you start. Plus I think many schools require bachelor's degrees.

 

[Ilovewater]

It's feasible to commute...but I find that most people get tired of it quickly. Most of my friends who commuted at the beginning of the year moved into the city within the first 2 months. It's just more convenient. I don't know which med school you are referring to, but a lot of med schools have recorded lectures, so it's not necessary for you to actually go to class. However, there will be some required labs, small group sessions, discussion sessions, etc. 2-3 times a week that will require your attendance. Expect to commute to school at least a few times a week. If you are willing to commute for an hour, it's definitely doable. Also, if you want to apply to med school, be ready to relocate...even out of state because you'll never know which school will accept you. If you live in Manhattan where there are 4 or 5(?) med schools in the area, you might get lucky. If you are from a state with only 1 or 2 instate med schools, you might not get accepted there and have to relocate.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you become an RN at the end of getting your BSN? Why are you still working toward a BSN if you're already an RN?

 

[postbacpremed87]

I don't know if it is optimal though.

On the bright side, the organic material should be fresh for the MCAT...

Org I & II + MCAT all in a summer sounds rough but I've seen it done successfully.

I think you should stick to your plan and finish your BSN. You may that you don't want to be a nurse, but you're so far into it, I think just sticking out will show your willingness to finish something you start. Plus I think many schools require bachelor's degrees.

 

[ezmillion]

I already have my AS in Nursing and will be graduating with my BS in Nursing in May, I have 2 classes left this sumer to complete my BSN. I am definitely finishing my BSN as I will still be working while in school and I think it is extremely important for med schools to see that I am willing to finish what I have started. I have considered applying to more than 1 school, but I do this at the risk of my husband not relocating with me and only seeing him on weekends. Will I better my chances by spreading my classes out more and taking the MCAT spring of 2013 and apply for early decision for admission into fall of 2014?

 

[postbacpremed87]

The judgment call is yours. Weigh the positive and negatives of deferring one more year to build a really strong application. Do what gives you the best chance of admission. Revenge is a dish best served cold. A good medical school application should be thought about from every angle and approached meticulously. Haha that was probably a bad analogy.

I already have my AS in Nursing and will be graduating with my BS in Nursing in May, I have 2 classes left this sumer to complete my BSN. I am definitely finishing my BSN as I will still be working while in school and I think it is extremely important for med schools to see that I am willing to finish what I have started. I have considered applying to more than 1 school, but I do this at the risk of my husband not relocating with me and only seeing him on weekends. Will I better my chances by spreading my classes out more and taking the MCAT spring of 2013 and apply for early decision for admission into fall of 2014?

 

[ezmillion]

Thank you everyone for the input, gave me a little more to think about 🙂

 

[postbacpremed87]

Resign yourself to the fact that applying to medical school and becoming a doctor is a LONG process. After that, tackle the process in small steps. See how you do in your initial pre-med classes to gauge whether or not

a) this is for you

b) if you should take the rapid track or the deferred track

If you get caught up on time, then you will drive yourself insane because the whole process (as we all know) takes a minimum of 7 years after college.

Thank you everyone for the input, gave me a little more to think about 🙂

 

[organdonor]

Some good advice has been dispensed above.

Have you looked into nurse practitioner? By no means am I an expert but I believe that most of those programs require ~2 years experience as an RN and it would get you back in the workforce much sooner than an MD would. I would usually not recommend people to go for an NP as it takes nearly as long as an MD would, assuming a fresh start. In your case, however, you already have a significant headstart towards the NP and it is something you should consider.

NP program:
1 more year of nursing
1-2 years of NP school

MD:
1 more year of pre med classes
1 year off (because you are applying late and to only one school, there is a good chance you won't get in your first try)
4 years of medical school
3 years (minimum) residency, could be as much as 5 with an additional fellowship possible

 

[Sid Farkus]

I, too, think you should give the NP-route serious consideration (if you haven't already). Check out their capabilities for your state and see if becoming an NP would scratch your itch for more responsibility/autonomy.

Note: I don't want to discourage you from pursuing an MD. I just want to make sure you consider other options first.

 

[ezmillion]

Yes, I have considered NP. I can actually start a program this fall and it would take me less than 2 years to be done. However, NPs still have to answer to MDs in most cases in the state I live in. This is fine, but inless you have been a nurse I don't think you can grasp how differently a RN/NP takes care of their patients versus how an MD would. I don't want to just become a doctor just to say I have, I want to change the way I care for my patients. It is based upon a completely different theory. The time thing is not a huge deal, I'm more than willing to put the time in. I think one of you were right. I need to realize that it is going to be a process, and slow down to better my chances. And I do intend to apply to about 10 med schools, but I will also do whatever it takes to get my first choice. Thanks for all the comments, it has been really helpful!

 

[courtnes]

I don't know if it is optimal though.

On the bright side, the organic material should be fresh for the MCAT...

Sure, but orgo is generally a small part of the exam. I only had one orgo passage and a couple discretes. Not to say that OP couldn't get screwed with 4 orgo passages, I've heard of that happening but it's rare.

OP, I think your schedule sounds good. It'll keep you challenged and get you out in the shortest possible amount of time. Taking your MCAT in August will put you WAY behind the 8 ball for the 2013 app cycle. Not to say you can't get interviews applying that late, but it will hold you up to have your primary only complete in September when your scores roll in. You might be best served by applying the following cycle and taking a year to do some research or develop some ECs while continuing to work as a nurse.

Also, are you planning to continue working full time on this schedule? That could be incredibly challenging, especially if you're at a good institution.

 

[StudyShy]

Don't listen to the people who are telling you to consider NP school. NP school is a joke. We had open book exams and group paperwork. Go MD or DO if medicine is what you would like to do.

 

[ezmillion]

I think you guys are right about it putting me way behind for interviews for that cycle. I think I am going to spread it out a little more so ochem can sink in a little before MCAT. I also think it will help to have that year off to do some research. i do plan to work full time through parts and then pull back to part time as my classes begin to get harder. Thank you for the support! I know like most, I am going to need it on this long journey 🙂

 

[postbacpremed87]

Good for you! You made a wise choice my friend. Take your time and build yourself an amazing application.

I think you guys are right about it putting me way behind for interviews for that cycle. I think I am going to spread it out a little more so ochem can sink in a little before MCAT. I also think it will help to have that year off to do some research. i do plan to work full time through parts and then pull back to part time as my classes begin to get harder. Thank you for the support! I know like most, I am going to need it on this long journey 🙂

 

[Pons Asinorum]

...NP school is a joke...

Right now there's an alarm going off on Allnurses.com and they are massing their forces.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I think you guys are right about it putting me way behind for interviews for that cycle. I think I am going to spread it out a little more so ochem can sink in a little before MCAT. I also think it will help to have that year off to do some research. i do plan to work full time through parts and then pull back to part time as my classes begin to get harder. Thank you for the support! I know like most, I am going to need it on this long journey 🙂

And best of luck. There is good advice here, and you actually seem open to considering it and altering your plan if you see a better path based on the experiences of others. That attitude will take you far.

 

[BigEast55]

Hi, I am new to the site and am trying to find some advice on pre-med classes 🙂

I am an RN with 1 year of experience and am finding that I am not taking care of my patients in the capacity that I would like. I am enrolling in pre-med classes starting this summer along with some other nursing classes for my BSN. My question is regarding my schedule of classes and how I should work through them, this is the schedule I have worked out so far:

Summer session 1 2011: pre calculus
summer session 2 2011: nursing classes ending
fall 2011: calculs, biology 1, chem 1
spring 2012: chem 2, physics 1, biology 2
summer session 1 2012: organic chem 1
summer session 2 2012: organic chem 2, physics 2

I would like to take the MCAT in early August 2012 and still apply, in hopes of being admitted for the Fall of 2013. I know this deters me from early decision, but my GPA is 4.0 with all everything combined and am hoping that this will help as long as I can keep it up.

Am I setting myself up for failure? I have taken 2-3 classes every summer before, but I also know the difficulty was no where near that of O chem. I am afraid if I spread my classes out too much it is going to appear that I cannot handle much in a short time span, which is not the case.

Also my second question is regarding commuting to med school. I live a little over an hour away from the med school I am hoping to apply to. Relocating is not really an option. Will I have to be in class everyday or are there days where I can get lecture online? Is commuting realistic?

Thank you for any advice and/or suggestions!

I think that if you do well on your MCAT and have a competitive GPA and can articulate strongly why you can't relocate, applying early decision if the school you are aiming for has it may potentially be ideal in your case, especially for the first app cycle where you would be late anyway.

 

[ezmillion]

Too funny, I can only imagine what allnurses.com would have to say about me. The sad part is that I may have stayed with the profession if the support was there. I cannot give the care my patients deserve and I feel like nurses have the idea that once their shift is over, that patient is no longer their concern, which don't get me wrong this is very true. But I want to give them more and keep the continuity of care going. I am very open to advice, I think anyone is not open to critique is setting themself up for failure, especially in healthcare. We can always change for the better with the right attitude 🙂 Thanks again for all your help!

 

[gravitywave]

I think that if you do well on your MCAT and have a competitive GPA and can articulate strongly why you can't relocate, applying early decision if the school you are aiming for has it may potentially be ideal in your case, especially for the first app cycle where you would be late anyway.

OP will have a hard time applying EDP in the first cycle with an August MCAT.

 

[RoseInTheMud]

In many states (not sure which ones) NPs' can open their own practice w/ an MD still being overhead of course. Maybe be an option, or DO. And also if you became an NP 1st there are transition programs from NP-> MD.

There are many ways to get there. Not only one road is right.

 

[NYRN]

Hi, I am new to the site and am trying to find some advice on pre-med classes 🙂

I am an RN with 1 year of experience and am finding that I am not taking care of my patients in the capacity that I would like. I am enrolling in pre-med classes starting this summer along with some other nursing classes for my BSN. My question is regarding my schedule of classes and how I should work through them, this is the schedule I have worked out so far:

Summer session 1 2011: pre calculus
summer session 2 2011: nursing classes ending
fall 2011: calculs, biology 1, chem 1
spring 2012: chem 2, physics 1, biology 2
summer session 1 2012: organic chem 1
summer session 2 2012: organic chem 2, physics 2

I would like to take the MCAT in early August 2012 and still apply, in hopes of being admitted for the Fall of 2013. I know this deters me from early decision, but my GPA is 4.0 with all everything combined and am hoping that this will help as long as I can keep it up.

Am I setting myself up for failure? I have taken 2-3 classes every summer before, but I also know the difficulty was no where near that of O chem. I am afraid if I spread my classes out too much it is going to appear that I cannot handle much in a short time span, which is not the case.

Also my second question is regarding commuting to med school. I live a little over an hour away from the med school I am hoping to apply to. Relocating is not really an option. Will I have to be in class everyday or are there days where I can get lecture online? Is commuting realistic?

Thank you for any advice and/or suggestions!

I am an RN taking classes to apply to medical school, so I'll give you my 2 cents.

The main thing that concerns me is that you are not willing to relocate. There is nobody that is so qualified that they can only apply to one school and be guaranteed to get in. Even if you do get in, you have to realize that you may have to relocate for residency. If you aren't willing to be open to this, than medicine isn't for you.

Secondly, if you really don't want to be a nurse, than drop your nursing classes and finish your premed classes. The nursing classes won't help you in the application process, they are a waste of time at this point if you want to go to medical school. Don't worry about them thinking you aren't finishing what you started, that is not important. If you tell them that you finished your BSN with the full intention of applying to med school during the time you were taking classes, it will look insincere.

I'm suprised that you didn't take bio before nursing school. We were required to take science major level bio, 2 semesters with lab. Did you take 2 semesters of inorganic chem? Also make sure that the bio and chem you took were the courses intended for science majors and not intro classes.

If you really want it bad enough, you can do it. You just have to think about whether you can make the sacrifices that are needed to get to medical school.

 

[ezmillion]

I'm guessing you are an RN in NY? Assuming so, I would hope that you have considered yourself that prerequisites for nursing are slightly different in each state. I did take micro, chem, adv. physiology and 2 separate anatomy classes. However these classes were to prepare me for nursing school, not med school. I also took them at a community college and feel that they are a very poor foundation for what I have ahead of me. The reason that I do not have intentions to relocate is because my husband would not be able to relocate with me and I will not sacrafice my marriage for a dream. I can think of at least 5 MDs off the top of my head that I work with everyday that went to the same med shool that I hope to attend and also were able to complete their residency in state. I do not mean to sound inflexible, I will do what I have to within reason, but I also know the possibility is there. I am not so neive to think that I may never have to relocate, but I do think it is that much more motivation to push me to do my best and hopefully be able to stay close to my family. Sorry if that sounds rude, I do not intend to come across like that. Secondly, why would you suggest that I drop the rest of my nursing classes when I only have this summer left? I know it is not a requirement everywhere, but if I were not to finish these classes I would not have a bachelor's and I think it would be pretty pathetic to give that up with very little left to complete. Again, I'm sorry if I got defensive, but I do believe medicine is for me. Thanks for your 2 cents......

 

[rachmoninov3]

your plan sounds good overall but let me just impart a few words about going for only one school and commuting:

1) If you go for only one school, be prepared to apply a couple of years in a row. This is what I did b/c I did not want to move. Stubborn, and it cost me 3 extra years of re-applications. Furthermore, when it comes to matching for residency you have very little say on where you end up. Unless you want to apply to every specialty at your home location just to stay in one spot and don't care if you're doing Anesthesiology vs Surgery vs FM there is at least a 50% chance that you will have to move. You can stay with just one school but be prepared for the reality that you might have to re-apply.

2) Commuting. Completely doable first and second year. Third year required getting to the hospital at 0400 or earlier and so commuting is not the best idea. As much as I would have loved to keep my condo in the small town I hope to match to, I think moving was the best thing in restrospect. However, I am dying to get out of the city and love the down time of 4th year b/c I can work at my little community hospital on weekends and return to the mountains!

best of luck,

Rachmoninov3,
MD May 2011
CNA X 11 years...only 4 more months to go!

 

[StudyShy]

In many states (not sure which ones) NPs' can open their own practice w/ an MD still being overhead of course. Maybe be an option, or DO. And also if you became an NP 1st there are transition programs from NP-> MD.

There are many ways to get there. Not only one road is right.

NP to MD? Where at? lol

 

[bucks2010]

lol @ "NP to MD"

OP, since you're so set on one school, you might consider asking for a meeting with the dean of admissions or someone else to get some more specific advice for their school.

 

[NYRN]

I'm guessing you are an RN in NY? Assuming so, I would hope that you have considered yourself that prerequisites for nursing are slightly different in each state. I did take micro, chem, adv. physiology and 2 separate anatomy classes. However these classes were to prepare me for nursing school, not med school. I also took them at a community college and feel that they are a very poor foundation for what I have ahead of me. The reason that I do not have intentions to relocate is because my husband would not be able to relocate with me and I will not sacrafice my marriage for a dream. I can think of at least 5 MDs off the top of my head that I work with everyday that went to the same med shool that I hope to attend and also were able to complete their residency in state. I do not mean to sound inflexible, I will do what I have to within reason, but I also know the possibility is there. I am not so neive to think that I may never have to relocate, but I do think it is that much more motivation to push me to do my best and hopefully be able to stay close to my family. Sorry if that sounds rude, I do not intend to come across like that. Secondly, why would you suggest that I drop the rest of my nursing classes when I only have this summer left? I know it is not a requirement everywhere, but if I were not to finish these classes I would not have a bachelor's and I think it would be pretty pathetic to give that up with very little left to complete. Again, I'm sorry if I got defensive, but I do believe medicine is for me. Thanks for your 2 cents......

The whole thing just doesn't make sense to me. I have never heard of any school where you can take microbio before bio. Now with your clarification, its probably the case where the classes you took were within the nursing department and not the science department, or they were intro classes. You will probably have to take all of those over, because they don't count.

Second thing is, do you plan to work full time while you do this schedule? I don't know how you are planning 2 and 3 lab sciences at a time with a full time job. Good luck with that

Besides, last time I checked, summer lab sciences like orgo were all day from 8-4. So I guess you plan on doing orgo 2 from 8-4 and then physics 2 from 5-10 pm all summer?

 

[StudyShy]

The whole thing just doesn't make sense to me. I have never heard of any school where you can take microbio before bio. Now with your clarification, its probably the case where the classes you took were within the nursing department and not the science department, or they were intro classes. You will probably have to take all of those over, because they don't count.

Second thing is, do you plan to work full time while you do this schedule? I don't know how you are planning 2 and 3 lab sciences at a time with a full time job. Good luck with that

Besides, last time I checked, summer lab sciences like orgo were all day from 8-4. So I guess you plan on doing orgo 2 from 8-4 and then physics 2 from 5-10 pm all summer?

I never had general biology until now. I took microbiology ten years ago, and it was from the science department. Microbiology was required for my BSN, however general biology was not. I also took a graduate level pathophysiology course without having biology. Programs vary so widely on what is expected.

OP should probably just take ver everything starting from scratch. That's what I'm doing. The time is going by quickly, and after this semester, all I'll have left is organic next year. Good luck!

 

[ezmillion]

Thank you for all of the positive feedback! I have talked with a premed advisor and have planned my classes out. I did decide to spread my classes out over 1 more year in order to apply for early decision and have everything fresh in my mind for MCAT. Thanks for that suggestion!

I know I am not choosing an easy road for myself by any means, but I also have great faith in where there is a will, there is a way.

I do plan to work PRN or part time for my first 2 semesters and work back up to part time to full time in my last 2 semesters. I received my BSN in 3 years while working part time and full time all the way through and managed to keep my 4.0. However, I plan my entire semester out before I start classes and I am also extremely organized, almost to the point where it drives my family crazy.

I have no doubt in my mind that I will be tested to the fullest extent possible and I may come up against road blocks and have to make some adjustments, but I also know when I set goals, I achieve them. I know everyone has their own opinions and that is fine, I completely respect that, but I also do not appreciate being compared to others when you do not know me.

I don't want to say that I hate nursing, because I don't, but it is not the profession I would choose to be in for the next 40 years or so (I'm 22). There are many opportunities for advancement in the nursing profession, but in a small/rural hospital once you're at the top that is pretty much it. And unfortunately as many has pointed out there are a few bad apples that make your life hell whether you're a nurse, tech, doctor, or maintenance man because they are simply unhappy themselves. I have many reasons, personal and professional, for why I want to become a doctor and I can only hope that one day I will be able to help change a person's life for the better through knowledge I have and will gain.

Sorry to ramble. Thanks again from those of you who are very encouraging and help me to ask the right questions. 🙂

 

[Hoody]

There are many opportunities for advancement in the nursing profession, but in a small/rural hospital once you're at the top that is pretty much it.

this statement couldn't be further from the truth, but I'm not going to try an convince you of that. Good luck in your journey! 🙂

 

[motomed]

if you're set on one school, the only advice that matters is theirs. tell them your plans now, get their advice, make sure they recognize your name when you finally get around to applying.

I am a nontraditional applicant and worked full time while taking a similar course schedule, it really wasn't that big of a deal if you work 12 hour shifts, especially if you're willing to work weekends.

any chance you can move and your husband can share part of the commute and keep his job? the two of your commuting a half hour each seems a lot better than one of you commuting an hour. I can appreciate the desire to not upset your family in this process, but if they're not on board with this and willing to personally sacrifice in order to support you, it's not going to go well either with your marriage or your career.

 

[ezmillion]

Hoody- I did not mean for it to sound so biased. It does sound immature when I read over it again. I did not mean to answer for all small hospitals. My hospital in particular has 4 unit managers with no charge nurses, a CNO, 4 other nurses over various things like infection control, quality, risk management, etc., and the staff nurses of course. I work in a critical access hospital, so the roles for nursing are limited. The NPs in my community are also not utilized very well. I would only be able to see patients in the office setting and only round on patients when a doctor isn't available. I would like to have a bigger part in patient care other than office visits. On the other side of the spectrum, I have worked at a large teaching hospital with magnet status. It seemed as though the nurses ran that hospital and the was unlimited room for growth. Thank you for speaking up, you're right that in most circumstances that is "further from the truth."

 

[ezmillion]

if you're set on one school, the only advice that matters is theirs. tell them your plans now, get their advice, make sure they recognize your name when you finally get around to applying.

I am a nontraditional applicant and worked full time while taking a similar course schedule, it really wasn't that big of a deal if you work 12 hour shifts, especially if you're willing to work weekends.

any chance you can move and your husband can share part of the commute and keep his job? the two of your commuting a half hour each seems a lot better than one of you commuting an hour. I can appreciate the desire to not upset your family in this process, but if they're not on board with this and willing to personally sacrifice in order to support you, it's not going to go well either with your marriage or your career.

Thanks for the post, it is nice to hear that other people have tried this as well. My husband actually already commutes 45 minutes north and I would be going to school a little more than an hour south. We bought our first home in August last year and love it. My husbands career is kind of geographically isolated and would not be anything that he would be able to transfer with. He is completely on board and very supportive, but very realistic from a monetary stand point. I have several friends that I would be able to stay with through the week that live within 10 minutes of campus. Thanks again for your thoughts!