RN to MD

[Missbrutus]

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Hello all. I am an RN with my bachelors and A non traditional student and have started taking my pre reqs in anticipation of one day sitting for my MCAT. As a requirement for my RN degree, I have taken microbiology (4.5 credits worth) As well as anatomy and physiology (1,2,3). I just began biology 1 at a different school and am registered for biology 2 later this summer. Do you think I will need bio 1 and 2 in conjunction with the micro? I am paying out of pocket so any money saved will be great. I got a B in micro and registered for chem 1 and physics 1 for the fall and basically wish to take what most schools require. I apologize if this was asked already I am new to the site and tried searching beforehand. Thank you.

 

[Kpw101]

I think Bio 1/2 is needed for the MCAT. Not sure upper bio level courses suffice unless you've previously AP'ed/Placed out of them. I would double check the requirements on the websites of schools you're interested in.

Edit: What i meant by bio 1/2 is needed for the MCAT is that it's tested. It's also not impossible to teach yourself biology though.

 

[Missbrutus]

I’ve searched online for some of the schools I’m interested in but most only say either 1 year of bio or just bio 1 and 2.

 

[Missbrutus]

Then Bio 1/2 is required and not substituted with advanced courses

Gotcha.

 

[EPOblood]

seems like a tough road

 

[Missbrutus]

seems like a tough road

It is! But I love a challenge!

 

[Missbrutus]

Also wondering while I’m here, if I can use my nursing experience as clinical experience or if I’ll still need to do some shadowing/volunteering? Thoughts?

 

[gyngyn]

Also wondering while I’m here, if I can use my nursing experience as clinical experience or if I’ll still need to do some shadowing/volunteering? Thoughts?

Do some shadowing and volunteering.

 

[Missbrutus]

Do some shadowing and volunteering.

Thanx. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews some say I won’t need it others say it’ll help me stand out. The problem is my schedule with classes and my nursing job has me spread out pretty thin for time right now.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Thanx. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews some say I won’t need it others say it’ll help me stand out. The problem is my schedule with classes and my nursing job has me spread out pretty thin for time right now.

Working as a nurse is certainly considered "clinical experience" but shadowing a doc is specifically not clinical experience but rather demonstrating that you have seen how a physician's day actually goes (particularly important coming from a nursing background which will help you answer "why MD and not stay a nurse").

 

[RNtoMD87]

I'm still trying to understand. People say you still need clinical volunteering even with clinical experience because "getting paid for helping does not indicate compassion"

Does this mean we still should aim for 150 of each clinical and non clinical?

 

[Kpw101]

I'm still trying to understand. People say you still need clinical volunteering even with clinical experience because "getting paid for helping does not indicate compassion"

Does this mean we still should aim for 150 of each clinical and non clinical?

I think your nursing job satisfies clinical experiences, shadowing will satisfy your understanding of what physicians do, and non-clinical volunteering will show that you want to serve for the sake of serving those less fortunate.

I wouldn't think you also need to find clinical volunteering unless of course you want to.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I'm still trying to understand. People say you still need clinical volunteering even with clinical experience because "getting paid for helping does not indicate compassion"

Does this mean we still should aim for 150 of each clinical and non clinical?

Non-clinical volunteering would be fine.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Non-clinical volunteering would be fine.

I keep having people tell me to do it as a check the box kind of thing, including a DO friend who was an RN who said his only tick against him at interviews that he noticed was when they asked him "and why did you choose to not volunteer in a clinical setting?"

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

I keep having people tell me to do it as a check the box kind of thing, including a DO friend who was an RN who said his only tick against him at interviews that he noticed was when they asked him "and why did you choose to not volunteer in a clinical setting?"

Can't please everybody. If you've got the time go right ahead and do both but I can't imagine too many people caring that a nurse with 1000+ hours in a clinical setting needs to hand out blankets in an ED in his/her spare time.

 

[anbuitachi]

RN is more than enough for clinical experience for med application. it will help for sure.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Can't please everybody. If you've got the time go right ahead and do both but I can't imagine too many people caring that a nurse with 1000+ hours in a clinical setting needs to hand out blankets in an ED in his/her spare time.

Maybe I'll do just enough to say I did it then, but not worry about racking up hours