Took the MCAT yesterday, guys! I am both relieved beyond belief and anxious for the results. Hope everyone's journey is going well!
Hope you got the score you wanted brainnurse!
Took the MCAT yesterday, guys! I am both relieved beyond belief and anxious for the results. Hope everyone's journey is going well!
@Eccesignum, I have been following your progress through the last cycle. You, madam, are an inspiration!
And probably a god. Probably. <_<
How do you guys feel about the discussions happening in the allopathic school sub-forum? There's always a thread mentioning the NP take over and how nurses are all militant and like to laugh at stupid doctors. I've never seen any of this in school or in practice! It makes me a bit sad these might be my future colleague and how ****ty a few of them are going to be towards the staff.
When I first joined SDN, I read something in the Nontrad advice thread about staying away from Pre-Allo. I did exactly that until recently. I imagine the student forum can be just as bad. I just shrug away comments from medical students about nurses. At the end of the day, they're students and have zero influence or clout or effect on my nursing life. I meet good ones and crappy ones and ones I wanna strangle - same goes for nursing students though, so. =/How do you guys feel about the discussions happening in the allopathic school sub-forum? There's always a thread mentioning the NP take over and how nurses are all militant and like to laugh at stupid doctors. I've never seen any of this in school or in practice! It makes me a bit sad these might be my future colleagues and how ****ty a few of them are going to be towards the staff.
When I first joined SDN, I read something in the Nontrad advice thread about staying away from Pre-Allo. I did exactly that until recently. I imagine the student forum can be just as bad. I just shrug away comments from medical students about nurses. At the end of the day, they're students and have zero influence or clout or effect on my nursing life. I meet good ones and crappy ones and ones I wanna strangle - same goes for nursing students though, so. =/
Death sentence for MD, unless you have the equivalent of an H-bomb for an application. Which unfortunately you don't, with that GPA and self-admitted weak ECs and LORs. Don't do it. Take the MCAT in September if you feel ready in September, but get ready to apply in 2017 and come at it strong from day it opens.
See my post above re shadowing. Some places won't think so. Some will. Use your own judgment.
Other ECs are absolutely necessary. Being a nurse is just one aspect of an application. Adcoms are looking for well-rounded people with a good dose of altruism.
A low GPA can have subtleties, so it kind of depends. It's better if that low GPA is the end result of a very low old GPA + very high GPA in extended, rigorous post-bacc. It looks worse if it's just that your performance was lackluster all the way through. Definitely take as much upper-division hard science as you can and get As (biochem is on the MCAT, by the way). Consult the low GPA thread in this forum for an idea of what people with sub-par GPAs have gone to make themselves marketable. It's definitely not easy, speaking as someone who came from an abysmal GPA, myself.
Whatever you do, I would put down the application for this cycle. Step back and make a plan to make yourself a strong candidate, and only apply when your app is the strongest it can possibly be.
Hello there! Thanks for the response. I only thought reviewing my bio/chem stuff would be "okay," because I don't want to forget everything I learned and quite frankly, knowing myself, some components of Bio were indeed troubling for me.Why would you be reviewing bio/chem stuff right now? Focus on senior year, get a job line up during your last semester, pass NCLEX, work 1+ year while doing all the normal pre-med stuff, plan your MCAT, and apply.
Finally, a thread I can actually relate to!
-Hello guys! My name is Ana, I am 24 years old, and I am 2 semesters away from finishing my second degree in nursing. My road has not been all that predictable (like most, I can imagine). Straight out of high school I thought I would finish college as a pre-med/biology major...and boy was I wrong! To my honest defense, I can say that I got lost in Life. I transferred from an "ok" school where I had a 4.0 gpa to a well known school in the state where my gpa dropped like never before. All I remember was feeling as though the classes I chose were just so ridiculously intense and felt inevitably hopeless and frustrated with myself. Honestly, it was as though Life pretty much got the best out of me. Thank God, during one of my undergrad semesters I ended up meeting a good academic advisor who told me her personal story of the pediatric nurses who took good care of her child who had to undergo a serious medical procedure. During that time, I was partnered up as an EMT with a high school friend who was also going to school for nursing and felt I bit inspired to take a hiatus from the medical school route and attempt going to school for nursing. Needless to say, a year later after this "epiphany" I did not only graduate with a public health degree but also finished the pre-reqs for nursing school and soon after...LITERALLY not even a week after finishing my last prereqs course, I began nursing school.
Currently this summer I am indeed going insane because I am not used to simply taking a summer break. I finished my second semester in nursing school and I must admit that most people underestimate nursing school. Needless to say, my biggest dilemma at the moment is that I know for a fact that I want to attend medical school while working as an RN (preferably a pediatric RN). I have not discussed this with many of my nursing peers because I get the idea that it is just that "thing" many people in my shoes stay away from! Truth is that even my most "wonderfullest" (yes, I said wonderfullest) nursing professors always tend to speak negative about doctors and I am afraid that their suggestions may just be a bit too biased. Quite frankly, I am hesitating to take 1 out of the 5 classes I still need in order to apply to med school and I can only say that my hesitation derives from the fact that I am on a budget (it isn't easy recuperating from 2 nursing semesters while simply working at a part-time job). Though, closed relatives of mine have offered to help, I would like to know from anyone what they think would be the appropriate thing for someone in my shoes to do. I do admit that as time passes I am becoming more doubtful in myself because as much as some of friends tell me to just "enjoy" the ride, I have always "enjoyed" the ride while I was taking courses for my career. For this reason I have been continuously debating on whether or no I should:
1.Take this time to review my bio and chem stuff using books such as Princeton Review
2. Enroll in a summer II session course (take chem II)
-or-
3. Strictly focus on nursing stuff (i.e. earn my ACLS and PALS certs)
Overall, I would like to thank anyone who takes the time out to read this LOL...I apologize for such lengthy post.
and I can only say that while in college I studied hard and not smart. I allowed my insecurities get the best out of me and yes, I am willing to take risks BUT I certainly want to use my time WISELY.
Hope you got the score you wanted brainnurse!
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But seriously, thank you. I did a lot of things right but I also had to learn quite a few things the hard way, and I'm here to give back for as long as I can. I hope you destroyed that MCAT, and if you ever need help in your cycle don't hesitate to let me know
The MCAT has been officially destroyed, ladies, thank you. Not quite the way @Eccesignum annihilated it, but so much better than FLs had me expecting. I might take you up on that offer at some point, actually. I'm all sorts of nervous/hopeful/trying so hard not to get my hopes up.
@brainnurse Thanks so much for this! Really helps!!!Hi, Ana. First, wall of text, girl! Use that enter key next time, please. Lack of paragraphs just made the post a little difficult for me to digest/respond to. As for your list of yes/no activities, they really on what you want to do. Here's my take:
1. Come up with a timeline. What do you want to happen and when? I can't say much about your financial situation. This is an expensive venture and if budget is that tight, it might be more prudent to put this on hold and wait until you're making RN money. I love, love, love coming up with timelines, so if you need help or a sounding board on that, drop me a line.
2. Do not start studying for the MCAT until you're done with most of the requirements AND you have an idea of when your test date will be.
3. If you have time, start looking into ECs. Even a couple of hours a week of volunteering can add up when you do them consistently while you're doing prereqs.
4. If you get a position in an acute care hospital, most will pay for ACLS, PALS and any other requirements for their employees. Leave those alone for now. They're expenses you can do without as a nursing student/new-grad.
5. Your instinct not to speak about this to your nursing peers is correct. Hold off on that. In fact, don't even mention it. It might breed more problems so early in your nursing career.
Fully submitted all secondaries to all of my schools (20 total).
5 interview invites thus far.
First interview is a week from tomorrow.
Fully submitted all secondaries to all of my schools (20 total).
5 interview invites thus far.
First interview is a week from tomorrow.
Thanks! Still a bit surreal for me.Way to go MAN!!!!
All OOS thus far. FL, AL, NM, AZ, PA.In-state or OOS? : )
Thanks! Still a bit surreal for me.
All OOS thus far. FL, AL, NM, AZ, PA.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile
How's everyone doing? Work killed me this weekend. My plantar fasciitis got triggered and I am le dying! I'm a 70-year old in a 20-something year old body. =/
/end nursey complaints
Way to go, @FCMike11! 5 IIs, that's fantastic!
So I'm stealing someone else's idea and making a progress thread for all us RN to MD/DO hopefuls. Feel free to post a little about yourself, where you work, your progress / timeline, interests, or anything else pertaining to nursing.
Myself: 27, male, Florida / St. Pete area, I've worked on a Medical Respiratory floor for almost two years now. I'm sure I could make myself content for a little while if I went to the ICU or ED but eventually I'd want more.
I have a few C's in sciences prior to starting this journey. Never figured they'd hurt me down the road. I started my post bac with Chemistry II and Anatomy and Phys since I never had to take it as a prereq. I finished Organic Chemistry I and Trig this Spring, Organic Chemistry II this Summer B session (I need to ask this professor if he's willing to write a strong LOR since I spent a decent amount of time in his office hours). All A's so far but now I have Physics I this Fall (I was horrendous at Physics in high school like 11 years ago), and I guess Physics II and Biochemistry in the Spring. I'm not sure if I should take those two together. Especially since I'm getting married in January and will likely miss a week of class for the wedding / honeymoon.
Interests: PM&R (SCI, Musc, TBI) is probably my top choice even though I don't have exposure to it at the moment. The idea of working with people who can actually get better and gain some functionality back really excites me. Whereas my floor the majority of these people are never going to stop abusing alcohol, drugs, smoking etc and thus will never get better. It's a pretty decent lifestyle speciality too. Primary care in theory sounds good (working on prevention and managing chronic illnesses as necessary). I played baseball in college for a couple of years until I was basically too injured to give it my best so Sports Med seems appealing too and there are a few routes to that.
Timeline: Finish Physics I, II, and Biochemistry by Spring. Study a few months for MCAT, take in the Fall and eventually apply.
So there's a bit about myself. Feel free to post if you're a nurse or if you're not but have some advice for us.
Thanks
Hey van, good to hear you are making the transition to medicine as well. You have an excellent track record. As far as courses go, it is recommended to take them at a university, but I personally don't think it will kill you taking them at a local community college. In fact, I am taking majority of my courses at a local CC. The name of the game is to do well in all of your courses wherever you take it and do well on the MCAT. Again welcome aboard buddy you are not alone in this, we are all in this together!!!Hi everyone,
Great thread! Very inspiring! I was thinking about pursuing this path myself, or at least trying to. I just graduated from my BSN, with a GPA of 3.9. I have multiple letters of recommendation and have worked on a couple different research projects with different institutions.
My plan is to return to school in January for the science prereqs (General Chem, Biochem, and Organic Chem) and hope to write the MCAT later next year- all in good time to ensure I am able to achieve a competitive score- and then apply across Canada.
My question was regarding the science prereq's, does it affect your chances of admission if you complete those courses at a college instead of a university? My thoughts are that it wouldn't, as long as you score well on the MCAT. Thoughts?
Also, this is such a daunting/scary career path but this thread has definitely given me hope!
Wow! Thank you so much for the quick response. I personally work at a hospital here in Vancouver and 3 docs I work with, including the Attending, used to be nurses. I have always wanted to pursue this course, but honestly just didn't think I was smart/good enough. Reading through this thread has definitely given me the confidence to take the pre req's and give it a shot!
One more question, I noticed some schools (or actually most schools) don't have "required science courses" but "recommended courses" including the above listed Chemistry etc... I highly doubt one would be able to do well on the MCAT without taking the bulk of these 1st/2nd year courses, but have also heard of people investing in MCAT prep courses instead. Thoughts again?
I am not one to skip the process and am not afraid to commit to more schooling prior to my application, I just dont want to go the long way about when I don't have to.
Thanks again!!
There are "some" schools that do not require prerequisites, but it is inadvisable by most people here. It's a good way to build a foundation in science prior to taking the MCAT. The science classes we took for our prenursing were just the fundamentals.
Try to knock those prereq classes out as fast as possible. I think you will likely do just fine.I will be finishing my NP degree in December. I have officially completed an application at the local university to begin taking prerequisites next semester. To say I am nervous is an understatement. I have not taken a "real" science or math class since 2009. I plan to obtain a hospitalist NP position while I take classes part-time. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am SO nervous too!!!! I just registered for my Chem/Bio pre reqs and I am so intemidated! But excited to build a solid base to rock the the MCAT first time around in due time! I keep remembering how I didnt think I would do well in nursing and I surprised myself in sciences. We got this!I will be finishing my NP degree in December. I have officially completed an application at the local university to begin taking prerequisites next semester. To say I am nervous is an understatement. I have not taken a "real" science or math class since 2009. I plan to obtain a hospitalist NP position while I take classes part-time. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am SO nervous too!!!! I just registered for my Chem/Bio pre reqs and I am so intemidated! But excited to build a solid base to rock the the MCAT first time around in due time! I keep remembering how I didnt think I would do well in nursing and I surprised myself in sciences. We got this!
Hi everyone,
I'm new here. A little about me. I am 35, no kids, husband or boyfriend. I am currently working as an ER nurse. I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry that I received before I went to nursing school. I have one prerequisite left- the second semester of physics- before I apply next summer to matriculate in 2018. I'm also retaking a couple of science courses for higher grades and potential letters. I plan to sit for the MCAT in June.
Some doctors I work with tell me they don't know why I didn't do this years ago, and some tell me I'm crazy for doing this, and that I should cut my losses and do CRNA or NP.
Good luck!!!Fully submitted all secondaries to all of my schools (20 total).
5 interview invites thus far.
First interview is a week from tomorrow.
I am SO nervous too!!!! I just registered for my Chem/Bio pre reqs and I am so intemidated! But excited to build a solid base to rock the the MCAT first time around in due time! I keep remembering how I didnt think I would do well in nursing and I surprised myself in sciences. We got this!
34, similarly unattached, former ED nurse and current M1. If medicine is what you truly want, advanced practice nursing will not cut it for you. I speak from experience there. Give it everything you've got, and let no one stand in your way.Hi everyone,
I'm new here. A little about me. I am 35, no kids, husband or boyfriend. I am currently working as an ER nurse. I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry that I received before I went to nursing school. I have one prerequisite left- the second semester of physics- before I apply next summer to matriculate in 2018. I'm also retaking a couple of science courses for higher grades and potential letters. I plan to sit for the MCAT in June.
Some doctors I work with tell me they don't know why I didn't do this years ago, and some tell me I'm crazy for doing this, and that I should cut my losses and do CRNA or NP.
It's nice to see that I'm not the only RN out there hoping to transition to MD!
I'm 27, spent the last three years in cardiac critical care. Currently have all my secondaries in and impatiently waiting...
Do admission boards look down on RN applicants? I have great grades, good MCAT score, tons of volunteer and clinical hours and still don't have any interviews.
Any feedback from individuals who have been through this process?
Do admission boards look down on RN applicants?
No they do not. In fact, the opposite is true in most cases, since you have good health care experience.Do admission boards look down on RN applicants? I have great grades, good MCAT score, tons of volunteer and clinical hours and still don't have any interviews.
I'm just in the middle of taking cell bio and biochem, planning to take the MCAT in the spring. So far, I haven't gone public with my plans. I'm feeling really lonely and distressed. I have told a few people, like my professors and a female doc I work with, but I have yet to find a "mentor" or any encouragement. I look up to famous researchers like Jennifer Doudna and when I read about their success, they are always mentioning some key mentors along the way who gave them the courage or boost to get to the next step. I've never had anyone like that in my life, which is why I'm only just now realizing I can and want to be a doctor at age 32. It's a really long path from now until possibly medical school, and I'm loving what I'm learning in these classes right now, but it is super discouraging to do poorly on a quiz or be laughed at by a professor. I'm glad to know that somewhere else, there are others taking this same unique path as me
Your best bet would be to apply to the local university as a degree seeking student (this way it would be easier to get in the required classes), but not actually seek to obtain a degree. There is no need to do a post-bacc given your GPA is on par. Also, there is no reason you actually need to obtain a second baccalaureate degree. You'll just be "wasting" time. I am also an RN, soon to be NP. I have applied to my local university as a degree seeking student (and was actually advised to do this) so I would not be last in line to sign up for classes. As we all know, pre-med classes can be rather competitive and spots are reserved for degree-seeking students.I'm 26 years old, new grad RN working on a cardiac floor. My current GPA is 3.71. I'm in a part-time BSN program currently. In the meantime, I am seeking for programs to finish my pre-med prerequisites and MCAT in the next few years. There are 3 possible ways to do this:
1. A post-bacc program
or
2. A second B.S. in Biology/Chemistry/Biochemistry
or
3. Taking classes from a community college and then some from a university to fulfill only pre-med courses.
I am talking to some academic advisors to receive guidance for which program would be best. I am sure there are pros and cons to all the above options. I want to make sure that if I financially invest in any of those programs, the result would be worth it. Anyone would like to offer their advice or suggestions? I think it's super encouraging seeing people around my age who are doing the same thing. I have always been afraid that I would be too old for medical school. Thank you in advance.
Your best bet would be to apply to the local university as a degree seeking student (this way it would be easier to get in the required classes), but not actually seek to obtain a degree. There is no need to do a post-bacc given your GPA is on par. Also, there is no reason you actually need to obtain a second baccalaureate degree. You'll just be "wasting" time. I am also an RN, soon to be NP. I have applied to my local university as a degree seeking student (and was actually advised to do this) so I would not be last in line to sign up for classes. As we all know, pre-med classes can be rather competitive and spots are reserved for degree-seeking students.
I agree with you which is why I'm keeping it under wraps until I know for sure that I got in somewhere and need to give notice...Nice to see another emergency nurse making the switch! About going public with your plans, I would suggest only speaking with physicians you trust about this. When my fellow nurses found out about my plans, there was a lot of chatter in a negative way. I've also received the shaft with having my rooms full while everyone else is chilling, probably because they know I am on my way out soon. There is a lot of pettiness in the nursing world. Stay under the radar and do what you have to in order to get the mentoring you desire. This has been a lonely journey, but so far a worthwhile one.
But hey, who knows, your coworkers might be more mature than mine and you'll receive nothing but support. Hope that is the case!
You're definitely not too old. I chose against the post bac because I already had most of their classes. I am just taking cell bio and biochem because I scored poorly in those areas in a practice mcat. I will be applying to schools, of which there are now many, that are flexible with the prerequisites. Which also signals to me that they will be schools open to a non traditional student. For example, I only have one term of physics, but several schools that reviewed my scripts said that was fine.......... If you know where you want to go, make an apt with their admissions team.I'm 26 years old, new grad RN working on a cardiac floor. My current GPA is 3.71. I'm in a part time BSN program currently. In the meantime, I am seeking for programs to finish my pre-med prerequisites and MCAT in the next few years. There are 3 possible ways to do this:
1. A post-bacc program
or
2. A second B.S. in Biology/Chemistry/Biochemistry
or
3. Taking classes from a community college and then some from a university to fulfill only pre-med courses.
I am talking to some academic advisors to receive guidance for which program would be best. I am sure there are pros and cons to all the above options. I want to make sure that if I financially invest in any of those programs, the result would be worth it. Anyone would like to offer their advice or suggestions? I think it's super encouraging seeing people around my age who are doing the same thing. I have always been afraid that I would be too old for medical school. Thank you in advance.