RN to NP or MD? Advice

[HardenedSteel]

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Ok here is scoop. I am 26 right now, will have BSN in a few years, so... I am debating if I want to go all the way to medical school or to NP school. I understand there is a huge difference between practicing medicine and nursing. Big difference.

My thing is... Honestly, by time I feel I finish with my bsn I will be around 28-29. I can either apply to med school if I want to go that route of I can apply to NP school and be done in about 4 years after that.. ( going for the DNP route if I choose NP)

I figure if I choose the MD route I will be close to 35 or 36 maybe, so for those that started medschool at a later age, was it worth it, how was the journey, and what was it like financially. Right now I am barely able to pay my bills and everything else, but how did you manage, I want to get prepared now before its too late and I never prepared at all.

I am glad med schools, at least the ones I know of, accept BSN students into their programs. If anyone has taken this route please comment and let me know how it was. So basically I am having a multi question post. So I will break it down.

1. Is it worth going to med school in your lower 30's?
2. Would it be better to just go for NP or tough it out and make the MD?
3. How is med school life for the older crowd? I know being in late 20's mid 30's is not older, but considering the financial aspect of it.

I would greatly appreciate it. My overall goal is I want to be able to practice medicine and honestly I feel that being an NP would not most likely fullfill that aspect I am wanting. It is a great position to hold and is respectable, but I am not sure. I even checked out PA, but honestly, I would rather go NP over PA. I have noticed NP's are branching out more than what a PA could do. So just some ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[StudyShy]

Since by the time that you complete your BSN, you will have to enter a DNP program (which will take at least 3-4 years), I think that you are way better off just becoming a doctor. Are you really set on finishing your BSN? Switching to a major such as biology (or anything other than nursing 🙄), IMO, would be better. This is coming from a person who has a BSN.

 

[HardenedSteel]

Since by the time that you complete your BSN, you will have to enter a DNP program (which will take at least 3-4 years), I think that you are way better off just becoming a doctor. Are you really set on finishing your BSN? Switching to a major such as biology (or anything other than nursing 🙄), IMO, would be better. This is coming from a person who has a BSN.

I have all the prereqs finished except for about 4 classes for my bsn, aside from the actual nursing courses themselves. Overall right now I have about 50 credit hours. Do you think it would be best to start switch to biology?

 

[StudyShy]

I have all the prereqs finished except for about 4 classes for my bsn, aside from the actual nursing courses themselves. Overall right now I have about 50 credit hours. Do you think it would be best to start switch to biology?

Just to clarify, you have all the nursing prerequisites completed for entry into a BSN program except for 4 classes, and your total number of credit hours that you have completed at your school is 50 credit hours? If this is the case and you want to pursue medicine above all else, I would ditch the nursing completely.

 

[HardenedSteel]

Just to clarify, you have all the nursing prerequisites completed for entry into a BSN program except for 4 classes, and your total number of credit hours that you have completed at your school is 50 credit hours? If this is the case and you want to pursue medicine above all else, I would ditch the nursing completely.

I am definitely considering it because this is how I am looking at it right now. Right now I have rent, car payments, yada yada to pay. I have a somewhat decent job right now.

I still have at least 1 year left of prereqs/waiting time. then 2 and half years of nursing program. then 1-2 years experience, then another 2-4 years depending on if they require NP's to get DNP. so that equates to. 8 years.

If I switch now to BS-Biology I would have about 3 years of more school work. Which is fine, ok. then I would have about 4 years of med school, plus about 2-3 more years doing the other stuff that is required after.. Hmmm. looking at it this way... I will be about the same age, maybe a year or two older when I become an MD vs NP, Interesting. Did not realize I am still basically sitting at square one. But I look at it this way, much better to be at square one than being almost there and turning back. Anything else you can help advise me on.

 

[StudyShy]

I am definitely considering it because this is how I am looking at it right now. Right now I have rent, car payments, yada yada to pay. I have a somewhat decent job right now.

I still have at least 1 year left of prereqs/waiting time. then 2 and half years of nursing program. then 1-2 years experience, then another 2-4 years depending on if they require NP's to get DNP. so that equates to. 8 years.

If I switch now to BS-Biology I would have about 3 years of more school work. Which is fine, ok. then I would have about 4 years of med school, plus about 2-3 more years doing the other stuff that is required after.. Hmmm. looking at it this way... I will be about the same age, maybe a year or two older when I become an MD vs NP, Interesting. Did not realize I am still basically sitting at square one. But I look at it this way, much better to be at square one than being almost there and turning back. Anything else you can help advise me on.

Sucks, huh? I'll be an old cougar by the time that I am done with school so don't feel bad! 😉

Go MD or DO. Make sure you start volunteering now to gain some EC experiences in both clinical and non-clinical areas.

 

[HardenedSteel]

Sucks, huh? I'll be an old cougar by the time that I am done with school so don't feel bad! 😉

Go MD or DO. Make sure you start volunteering now to gain some EC experiences in both clinical and non-clinical areas.

Thanks a million, you have no idea how much you have helped me. I talking things over with my other half and I have so much support in this decision. It is honestly scary, changing halfway through something, but I do realize this. Better to die trying to go for your dreams, than to never go for them at all.

 

[kexy]

If I switch now to BS-Biology I would have about 3 years of more school work.

If time is of the essence, you don't NEED to change your major to a B.S. in Bio. If there is something else you're interested in with a smaller unit requirement (liberal arts, foreign language that you already know, even a B.A. in Bio) that would get you out in less time, while still finishing the prereqs, you should look into that.

 

[HardenedSteel]

If time is of the essence, you don't NEED to change your major to a B.S. in Bio. If there is something else you're interested in with a smaller unit requirement (liberal arts, foreign language that you already know, even a B.A. in Bio) that would get you out in less time, while still finishing the prereqs, you should look into that.

I did look into it, I looked into several things, but honestly. BS Bio is the closest thing to me right now. I already have several science courses down and I noticed the nursing requirements are set aside far from different degrees. So I am kinda stuck close to the bottom.

Here is something else plaguing my mind, do you think the fact I got a GED instead of diploma will make a difference getting into medschool. I am already going to university of texas right now. so I am on their good side, I have a fantastic gpa in my sciences roughly 3.8 right now.

 

[StudyShy]

I did look into it, I looked into several things, but honestly. BS Bio is the closest thing to me right now. I already have several science courses down and I noticed the nursing requirements are set aside far from different degrees. So I am kinda stuck close to the bottom.

Here is something else plaguing my mind, do you think the fact I got a GED instead of diploma will make a difference getting into medschool. I am already going to university of texas right now. so I am on their good side, I have a fantastic gpa in my sciences roughly 3.8 right now.

Nope high school would not matter. You don't need to worry. Also, I would kill to be a Texan (cheaper medical school tuition).

 

[Doctor246853]

This is a simple question that warrants a simple answer. Ditch the BSN and focus on medical school only. You dont want to be a nurse, you basically want to be a doctor. Dont try and "feel" like a doctor with the DNP (not knocking DNP's), just go though it like the rest of us and tough it out. Im in the same boat as you and will be in my early 30's entering medical school. I feel that we are going to be, let's say 32, one day. So we might as well be 32 in medical school than 32 doing something else wishing we went to medical school. Leave that DNP spot for someone who REALLY wants to be a top level nurse and come to the dark side.😎

 

[HardenedSteel]

This is a simple question that warrants a simple answer. Ditch the BSN and focus on medical school only. You dont want to be a nurse, you basically want to be a doctor. Dont try and "feel" like a doctor with the DNP (not knocking DNP's), just go though it like the rest of us and tough it out. Im in the same boat as you and will be in my early 30's entering medical school. I feel that we are going to be, let's say 32, one day. So we might as well be 32 in medical school than 32 doing something else wishing we went to medical school. Leave that DNP spot for someone who REALLY wants to be a top level nurse and come to the dark side.😎

I thank all of you for helping me out with this. I was very nervous about changing, but if you want to be great, you must make great change right, along with great decisions. I think today I need to relax by the pool and have a cold one. While I still have time to relax. I checked with my local cc and they offer a few classes cheaper than the university so i am going to take a couple classes there and have them transfer over. I did check and make sure they will transfer before I registered for them.

 

[Doctor246853]

I thank all of you for helping me out with this. I was very nervous about changing, but if you want to be great, you must make great change right, along with great decisions. I think today I need to relax by the pool and have a cold one. While I still have time to relax. I checked with my local cc and they offer a few classes cheaper than the university so i am going to take a couple classes there and have them transfer over. I did check and make sure they will transfer before I registered for them.

If it is a major prereq (Chem/OChem/Physics) it might be best to take it at your university.

 

[HardenedSteel]

If it is a major prereq (Chem/OChem/Physics) it might be best to take it at your university.

the one I am taking at cc are biology 1 and a basic computer course that is required. I will take the advanced ones at the university.

 

[HardenedSteel]

also, the classes I took at CC are just the regular ones, such as english 1 and 2, govt 1 and 2, hist 1 and 2. so luckily those are knocked out of the way.

 

[Doctor246853]

the one I am taking at cc are biology 1 and a basic computer course that is required. I will take the advanced ones at the university.

Then you are set to go. Welcome to SDN and good luck.

 

[StudyShy]

Then you are set to go. Welcome to SDN and good luck.

Agreed! 🙂

 

[oar2386]

also, the classes I took at CC are just the regular ones, such as english 1 and 2, govt 1 and 2, hist 1 and 2. so luckily those are knocked out of the way.

Why is your status fellow if you don't even have your BS degree?

 

[StudyShy]

Why is your status fellow if you don't even have your BS degree?

Because he is a fella? 😉

 

[HardenedSteel]

Happy now? It should be changed

 

[Doctor246853]

Why is your status fellow if you don't even have your BS degree?

Thats what I was thinking? Oh and I like your avatar, I seen that episode last night.🙂

 

[Doctor246853]

Happy now? It should be changed

Ah. Status😛remedical, the stamp of shame.🙁

 

[HardenedSteel]

Ah. Status😛remedical, the stamp of shame.🙁

It will be ok. we all have to start out someplace. lol. just cant wait for those 80 hour weeks. lol JK. I am going to enjoy my regular weeks in the mean time. the one thing is... I wonder how finances will come around when I do start med school. I right now have a full time job and full time bills. lol. how does all that work anyways

 

[StudyShy]

It will be ok. we all have to start out someplace. lol. just cant wait for those 80 hour weeks. lol JK. I am going to enjoy my regular weeks in the mean time. the one thing is... I wonder how finances will come around when I do start med school. I right now have a full time job and full time bills. lol. how does all that work anyways

Loans, young premed. 🙂

 

[Doctor246853]

Loans, young premed. 🙂

This. I started out very naive about loans and thought it was a quick way to debt. Result: worked fulltime, struggled with classes, landed in debt anyway. Take out the loans and focus on school.

Oh. hello studyshy😳

 

[StudyShy]

😉

This. I started out very naive about loans and thought it was a quick way to debt. Result: worked fulltime, struggled with classes, landed in debt anyway. Take out the loans and focus on school.

Oh. hello studyshy😳

Que pasa, contigo?

 

[Doctor246853]

😉

Que pasa, contigo?

Nada, sólo quería decir hola. No pretendía secuestrar este hilo lo siento.

 

[StudyShy]

Nada, sólo quería decir hola. No pretendía secuestrar este hilo lo siento.

jaja! 😉😛

 

[HardenedSteel]

Do you know how I could take out enough loans that pays for school and I do not have to work? I am just curious about that. I would be able to get school done so much faster that way. Right now I can barely take 10-12 credit hours per semester and work full time.

 

[StudyShy]

Do you know how I could take out enough loans that pays for school and I do not have to work? I am just curious about that. I would be able to get school done so much faster that way. Right now I can barely take 10-12 credit hours per semester and work full time.

Fill out your FAFSA/see your financial office at your college.

 

[Doctor246853]

Do you know how I could take out enough loans that pays for school and I do not have to work? I am just curious about that. I would be able to get school done so much faster that way. Right now I can barely take 10-12 credit hours per semester and work full time.

Well that depends on your bills. Example: I have a carloan I got to pay off and a child so I work but only per diem. So I can work more some weeks and less other weeks. If you dont have any bills like a car loan then you are good to go. Financial aide will help you alot and if you still need a little money just work at the school for a few hours a week.(15~hrs or so)