RRT to MD!!!! HOW PLAUSIBLE IS THIS??!!!

[IsMD4me]

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I have a question. I am currently about to start the two year RT program at my university. After graduating and passing the board exam, I have hopes of applying to medical school to become a doctor. How hard, and long, was it for you to make these same decisions. I myself, have not taken all of my pre-med courses before planning to get my RT degree. My plan is to get my RT degree and become an RRT and as I worked, I could hopefully go back to school to take the premed courses. I would also take the MCAT at that time as well....do you think this is a good plan as well??


Thanks in advance!!

 

[njbmd]

I have a question. I am currently about to start the two year RT program at my university. After graduating and passing the board exam, I have hopes of applying to medical school to become a doctor. How hard, and long, was it for you to make these same decisions. I myself, have not taken all of my pre-med courses before planning to get my RT degree. My plan is to get my RT degree and become an RRT and as I worked, I could hopefully go back to school to take the premed courses. I would also take the MCAT at that time as well....do you think this is a good plan as well??


Thanks in advance!!

I am an RRT who is an MD (vascular surgeon). I didn't go to respiratory school with aspirations of becoming a physician but actually wanted to be a great respiratory therapist. I took the certification exam for pediatric/perinatal practice and spent some time practicing in the pediatric intensive care unit at a Level 1 trauma center. It was great experience.

It's going to take you a minimum of two years to complete your premed coursework. After that, you need a bachelor's degree in something. Choose something that you love because you have to do very well in your studies (no grade less than B+ and only a couple of those).

I would also caution you about working and trying to go to school. Take your time and take one class at a time. The pre-med courses are not "chip shots" and burnout is rampant when folks attempt to do school and work at the same time. When work gets demanding, the school work starts to suffer. One of the saddest people I ever met was a former pre-med student who couldn't get the grades to get into medical school because of his work schedule. Take it slow and do excellent work.

Most people are not able to "work night shift" and "study during the day". What ends up happening is that you never get enough rest and your work or grades become mediocre. Most of the time, it's the grades that suffer. You can't afford even Bs or Cs in this process.

I earned a Ph.D in Biochemistry before I entered medical school (took 5 years) but you should plan on a minimum of two years if you already have a bachelors degree or 4-5 years if you do not have a degree. You can't rush the process. Also, don't plan on doing too much work during medical school either. I was able to work a holiday shift now and then but medical school was very demanding for me at every level.

Take your time, do excellent undergraduate work and you should be successful in this endeavor. Just try not to rush and screw up your grades. This was the best advice that I received when I was doing my coursework. In the end, I had a full-ride scholarship to medical school and got into the six schools that I applied to.