I applied without using a post-bac. Depending on the cost difference and on your own competitiveness I'd say for an RN doing the process on your own is more beneficial unless there is a linkage program you are specifically interested in.
You pay $$$ for most post-bacs so they can help guide you in creating a good med school applic. Most RN's have plenty of clinical experience and have the ability to do projects at work that can add to their application so most of the time you are just paying more for something that is available to you. For non-medical career changers the programs are beneficial though because they can help open doors into clinical activities. Also these programs help with a committee letter, but most of us find no problems getting a few doc letters from the ones we have worked with for a long time and then just kiss some arse to a couple of your pre-requ. professors and you'll have all the letters of recs you need.
The post-bac around my area cost around 30k total i think, in the end i applied by myself for only about 3k (1500/year) doing it at a small state college- i dont think not doing the program hurt me in anyway, i was very successful during my application year without having to pay the extra $ for a formal post-bac. You can PM if you want more details.
