Should I take the NCLEX?

[putmeincoach]

Hi everyone,

I'm one of the rare premeds who took nursing as a bachelor's degree. I'm currently going into my last semester of nursing school and I'm contemplating whether I should take the NCLEX this summer. The reason why is because my parents are pressuring me into taking it just to have a "backup". However, my mind has been set on D.O. schools and I think I have a decent shot at a seat (as long as I do well on the MCAT). I'm not applying this cycle but when I do apply, my projected stats are: 3.6 cgpa, 3.58 sgpa, MCAT - ?. My application also includes clinical research experience, volunteering at a new immigrants agency, clinical hours from my nursing placements, and decent LORs. Any advice is appreciated 🙂

putmeincoach

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[AnatomyGrey12]

Why would you not take it? If you aren't going to take it why on earth did you choose nursing as a major?

 

[putmeincoach]

Instead of studying for the NCLEX, I could enroll in the science prerequisites I'm still missing. I initially thought I wanted to be a nurse but after shadowing, interacting and researching with physicians, I feel that the physician role fits more of how I want to deliver care.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Taking the NCLEX will be a waste of money and a waste of time.

I wonder how an undergrad in nursing will play out for you. The zeitgeist is that it is negative for your application as you wasted the possibility of training a real nurse.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Taking the NCLEX will be a waste of money and a waste of time.

I wonder how an undergrad in nursing will play out for you. The zeitgeist is that it is negative for your application as you wasted the possibility of training a real nurse.

Why would it be a waste? OP says he isn't applying this cycle so he has at least 2 years before he matriculates. If he (or she) takes the NCLEX then they can at least work as a nurse and make some decent money. Even just one 10 hour shift a week is a couple hundred every month

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Why would it be a waste? OP says he isn't applying this cycle so he has at least 2 years before he matriculates. If he (or she) takes the NCLEX then they can at least work as a nurse and make some decent money. Even just one 10 hour shift a week is a couple hundred every month

OP already told you that they would use the time studying for NCLEX toward taking med school prerequisites. Depends if your real goal is medicine or making a few bucks and applying either later or without as robust of a CV.

 

[putmeincoach]

Taking the NCLEX will be a waste of money and a waste of time.

I wonder how an undergrad in nursing will play out for you. The zeitgeist is that it is negative for your application as you wasted the possibility of training a real nurse.

Yeah, I agree that it's really a waste of money & time if I'm not planning on practicing nursing at all. Also, yeah I'm aware that there's a negative bias against nurses so hopefully adcoms will have mercy on my application🙁.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You can still take pre-reqs and work.... like I said even 1 shift a week can make a good amount of money, not to mention that it all counts as clinical hours. On top of that I think schools will see all the time that took place before graduating and applying and wonder why OP didn't use his degree. It will sound lame to say, "well I'm actually not a nurse because I never took the test.."

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

As someone who went the exact same route as you did (Straight from nursing school into pre reqs for medical school) I would strongly advise taking the NCLEX and getting it done. The NCLEX is easier than the HESI test you will be taking this semester. I would assume you are taking the NCLEX this summer after you graduate. Just spend a little bit of time doing the questions. Remember, all you have to do is pass the test. Even if you are taking a summer pre req class, the NCLEX should not require that much studying that it takes away from your summer class.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

You can still take pre-reqs and work.... like I said even 1 shift a week can make a good amount of money, not to mention that it all counts as clinical hours. On top of that I think schools will see all the time that took place before graduating and applying and wonder why OP didn't use his degree. It will sound lame to say, "well I'm actually not a nurse because I never took the test.."

Technically he would still be a nurse, just not a registered nurse. I mean I have heard of people not taking the NCLEX and trying to go straight to medical school. I really do not think the most adcoms would be overly concerned with not being an RN as long as you could prove you would be a good doctor and can science. The work experience and the official title helps but the person would still have plenty of hospital experience during their time in nursing school. But I agree with the notion of taking it, and then trying to make some money during the process. Applying to medical school (as you know) is a very expensive process.

 

[AlteredScale]

Hi everyone,

I'm one of the rare premeds who took nursing as a bachelor's degree. I'm currently going into my last semester of nursing school and I'm contemplating whether I should take the NCLEX this summer. The reason why is because my parents are pressuring me into taking it just to have a "backup". However, my mind has been set on D.O. schools and I think I have a decent shot at a seat (as long as I do well on the MCAT). I'm not applying this cycle but when I do apply, my projected stats are: 3.6 cgpa, 3.58 sgpa, MCAT - ?. My application also includes clinical research experience, volunteering at a new immigrants agency, clinical hours from my nursing placements, and decent LORs. Any advice is appreciated 🙂

putmeincoach

If your heart is set in medicine I don't really see an need to take NCLEX but since your entire degree has been set around this exam you might as well take it and kill it.

Are you only shooting for DO and not MD?

Have you taken the lower division requirements for medical school admission? If not, you will need to do this and make sure you do well or it will sink your GPA.

Did your research have anything in the way of results such as regional/national posters and presentations or peer reviewed pubs). Not that this area is a big deal for DO schools but if you choose to apply MD (and you should) this will be an important aspect.

Where and/or who are your LOR's from?

 

[putmeincoach]

If your heart is set in medicine I don't really see an need to take NCLEX but since your entire degree has been set around this exam you might as well take it and kill it.

Are you only shooting for DO and not MD?

Have you taken the lower division requirements for medical school admission? If not, you will need to do this and make sure you do well or it will sink your GPA.

Did your research have anything in the way of results such as regional/national posters and presentations or peer reviewed pubs). Not that this area is a big deal for DO schools but if you choose to apply MD (and you should) this will be an important aspect.

Where and/or who are your LOR's from?

Hey, thanks for the reply!

For now, yes, only DO. I'm interested in OMM and the philosophy. However, do you think I should consider MD?

I still have to finish physics I&II, o-chem I&II, 2 semester of math, and a semester of biochem. I'll do my best 🙂

I was involved in a clinical research training program where I essentially functioned as an RA. My duties were mostly screening potential participants for multiple studies. I've just finished the program very recently so the projects are still in the process of being published. I'm not co-authoring any of them so I'm not sure if this experience helps my application much. 🤔

My LORs are from:
Biology professor (As in both classes, dropped by a lot during office hours)
Supervisor from Research Program
Nursing Preceptor (my mentor this year, very good relationship with her, very supportive)
M.D. (shadowing)
Volunteer supervisor (New Immigrants Agency)

In general, I feel that I have/had good professional relationships with my writers (I hope). Also, I've asked them (just to make sure) if they could write me a very good letter and they said they said they would 🙂

 

[AlteredScale]

Hey, thanks for the reply!

For now, yes, only DO. I'm interested in OMM and the philosophy. However, do you think I should consider MD?

I still have to finish physics I&II, o-chem I&II, 2 semester of math, and a semester of biochem. I'll do my best 🙂

I was involved in a clinical research training program where I essentially functioned as an RA. My duties were mostly screening potential participants for multiple studies. I've just finished the program very recently so the projects are still in the process of being published. I'm not co-authoring any of them so I'm not sure if this experience helps my application much. 🤔

My LORs are from:
Biology professor (As in both classes, dropped by a lot during office hours)
Supervisor from Research Program
Nursing Preceptor (my mentor this year, very good relationship with her, very supportive)
M.D. (shadowing)
Volunteer supervisor (New Immigrants Agency)

In general, I feel that I have/had good professional relationships with my writers (I hope). Also, I've asked them (just to make sure) if they could write me a very good letter and they said they said they would 🙂

Awesome 🙂 sounds like you have a lot of stuff for your application prepped and ready to go!

I think if you do well on your MCAT you should at the very least apply MD along with DO. The OMM stuff will be available to learn to MDs in a short time. You're not missing out on much else by choosing MD first and you keep a lot of doors open for yourself and in fact the curriculum of many MD schools is as holistically focused if not more than some DO programs.


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[Carouselambra]

Generally the sentiment I've read on here from adcoms has been that if you go straight from nursing school to applying to medical school you had better have a good reason. It was stated above but in that scenario you took a seat away from a willing nursing applicant with what appears to be no intention of using the degree to begin with. They tend to be interested in the people with a BSN who have worked 1 or more years and realized they want something more and they have the experience to back it up. But then again, I've seen a couple of posters say they successfully went straight from undergrad BSN to med school so it is possible.

Personally I would take the NCLEX in case things don't work out. Then I'd have a solid job to fall back on and would gain valuable clinical experience. It's one thing to experience clinical as a nurse (essentially useless imo depending on the school and what they let you do). It's another to be on your own making decisions and functioning as a professional.

 

[cherubb3]

Take the NCLEX, work while you take the prereqs. You have no idea how the MCAT or the prereqs are going to work out for you. Go with a stable income. I worked full-time nights as a RN while taking rigorous upper level bio classes, it is possible.

 

[JB50]

Are you guys crazy? Opie, Take the NCLEX so you have a solid job. You have no idea how the application cycle will pan out. Would you rather scrape by making lattes while studying taking prereqs or making some good money, even at a shift per week. You'd have to make a latta lattes before you touch how much you make in 12 hours as an RN. Seems ridiculous not to take it.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

Generally the sentiment I've read on here from adcoms has been that if you go straight from nursing school to applying to medical school you had better have a good reason. It was stated above but in that scenario you took a seat away from a willing nursing applicant with what appears to be no intention of using the degree to begin with. They tend to be interested in the people with a BSN who have worked 1 or more years and realized they want something more and they have the experience to back it up. But then again, I've seen a couple of posters say they successfully went straight from undergrad BSN to med school so it is possible.

Personally I would take the NCLEX in case things don't work out. Then I'd have a solid job to fall back on and would gain valuable clinical experience. It's one thing to experience clinical as a nurse (essentially useless imo depending on the school and what they let you do). It's another to be on your own making decisions and functioning as a professional.

I was worried about this but I had good reception from the schools I applied to. If you was applying to another bachelors program, I could maybe understand the mentality of "you wasted someones space in nursing school". However, medical school is continuing education. Several people from my graduating class went straight to NP school or they went on to doctoral programs (for various different degrees). In todays world, no one expects everyone that comes out of a bachelors program to sit at bachelors level for an extended period of time. Many of the higher end jobs are requiring masters degrees now, so moving directly past a bachelors degree into higher lever degrees is not that frowned upon. Obviously do not be arrogant about the move (thinking you are too good to be a nurse or that nursing is beneath you), but ADCOMS are typically not concerned about you taking the seat of a nursing student 2 years ago. They are concerned about your academics, experiences, personality, etc. If you have a history of making flip flop decisions like that, they may be hesitant. But if switching from nursing to medicine is one of the few flops you have done in the past, I would guess they aren't going to be too concerned. Plenty of nurses work and leave the field, in which case they all took a seat from someone else who was wanting to be a nurse. If you worked for a year and then left the field, then you took a job away from another nurse for a year. That logic can be used for anyone ever leaving their field for another. Don't worry about that. Do what you feel you need to do, but make sure you know what your getting yourself into.

 

[EnigmaticScale]

Are you guys crazy? Opie, Take the NCLEX so you have a solid job. You have no idea how the application cycle will pan out. Would you rather scrape by making lattes while studying taking prereqs or making some good money, even at a shift per week. You'd have to make a latta lattes before you touch how much you make in 12 hours as an RN. Seems ridiculous not to take it.

my thoughts to a tee.

Op, everyone who is saying no, is dumb.

take the nclex, entry level jobs in nursing pay much better than scribing, tech work, starbucks.
You're gonna work to save money for the application costs of medical school, travel costs, you're gonna pay down debt, AND you're gonna get clinical hours with real practical learning.

I'd venture to say nursing clinical hours mean more than the 1000s of hours premeds spend scribing/teching.

 

[popopopop]

Technically he would still be a nurse, just not a registered nurse. I mean I have heard of people not taking the NCLEX and trying to go straight to medical school. I really do not think the most adcoms would be overly concerned with not being an RN as long as you could prove you would be a good doctor and can science. The work experience and the official title helps but the person would still have plenty of hospital experience during their time in nursing school. But I agree with the notion of taking it, and then trying to make some money during the process. Applying to medical school (as you know) is a very expensive process.

All of my reading on sdn tells me otherwise about having nursing experiences. An adcom will raise his/her eyebrow if you completed a nursing degree and not utilise it. I've been told it would be brought up in the process about the career change. Either way, definitely take the NCLEX and get a year of work under your belt OP.

 

[MakeLifeHappen13]

OP, your parents are right. Take the NCLEX and become an RN, that way you have a title and certification that will put food in your mouth if worst comes to worst.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

Moral of story OP is take the NCLEX. Life happens and you may not get in, or you may get in but can make some money before school starts. No, you are not the first (or the last) person to come out of nursing school going for medical school. You will be fine. Do not worry about admissions frowning on your decision. As long as you have a good reason for doing so, and can convey why you truly want to do medicine, you should be fine. (And have good grades, MCAT, etc).

 

[EnigmaticScale]

OP if i was an adcom, and I saw that you had an RN, didn't take the NCLEX and din't work as a nurse = I'd say you wasted a nursing spot and took it away from someone that wanted it.

If I saw you worked as a nurse, saw both sides of the spectrum and had a narrative with experience, I'd greatly consider your application.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

OP if i was an adcom, and I saw that you had an RN, didn't take the NCLEX and din't work as a nurse = I'd say you wasted a nursing spot and took it away from someone that wanted it.

If I saw you worked as a nurse, saw both sides of the spectrum and had a narrative with experience, I'd greatly consider your application.

So lets say OP got out of nursing school, and landed a job offer in an ICU. He knows from his clinical experience in nursing school that he wants to go become a physician, but because he doesn't want to look like he took a student's spot in nursing school, he takes the job in the ICU (knowing he is registering for pre med classes and applying soon). Then in a year, he gets accepted and leaves. It's better to take a job spot from a deserving person just so you can say you didn't waste a nursing school spot for a person? It takes months to train a nurse (depending on the department). At the hospital I work at, I know of an ICU manager who refused to hire one of my classmates because she knew his overall goal was to apply to CRNA school soon. They want people who apply to plan on working for a long time. Now that is not to say that you can't leave in a year, or that it is bad to work and then go to medical school. But for all of these people who say you should go work because ADCOMS will view you as wasting a spot in nursing school do not consider the fact that people who take jobs as nurses, knowing they are leaving for medical school soon, are taking jobs from deserving employees. (Which puts food on the table of families). This is not saying to not get a job, but is simply the reality to the "you took a nursing school spot" argument. Nursing experience is great and working as a nurse would definitely help you on your application. It shows that you have true healthcare experience and can appreciate the field from another profession. However, having 2-3 years under your belt as an ICU nurse does not mean you will be a great physician. It simply means you have 2-3 years under your belt as an ICU nurse. Nursing does not = medicine.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

So lets say OP got out of nursing school, and landed a job offer in an ICU. He knows from his clinical experience in nursing school that he wants to go become a physician, but because he doesn't want to look like he took a student's spot in nursing school, he takes the job in the ICU (knowing he is registering for pre med classes and applying soon). Then in a year, he gets accepted and leaves. It's better to take a job spot from a deserving person just so you can say you didn't waste a nursing school spot for a person? It takes months to train a nurse (depending on the department). At the hospital I work at, I know of an ICU manager who refused to hire one of my classmates because she knew his overall goal was to apply to CRNA school soon. They want people who apply to plan on working for a long time. Now that is not to say that you can't leave in a year, or that it is bad to work and then go to medical school. But for all of these people who say you should go work because ADCOMS will view you as wasting a spot in nursing school do not consider the fact that people who take jobs as nurses, knowing they are leaving for medical school soon, are taking jobs from deserving employees. (Which puts food on the table of families). This is not saying to not get a job, but is simply the reality to the "you took a nursing school spot" argument. Nursing experience is great and working as a nurse would definitely help you on your application. It shows that you have true healthcare experience and can appreciate the field from another profession. However, having 2-3 years under your belt as an ICU nurse does not mean you will be a great physician. It simply means you have 2-3 years under your belt as an ICU nurse. Nursing does not = medicine.

Then don't apply to the ICU.... Work a home health job, they don't care how long you will be working for usually. Nursing is a broad field that has a number of job types that someone can work to get experience.

 

[dwgrubbs1s]

Then don't apply to the ICU.... Work a home health job, they don't care how long you will be working for usually. Nursing is a broad field that has a number of job types that someone can work to get experience.

Typically home health jobs require some form of nursing background as many of them have pretty autonomous positions since they are going to the patient's home and caring for them. So going out and grabbing a home health job just for the heck of it in nursing is usually tough to do. ICU was just an example. Any floor you work on as a nurse, you will at least be in training on the job for a month or longer. This does not include the education and training that they invest into while you continue to work. A typical stepping stone nursing job is some medical surgical floor in a hospital. These are always jobs that nurses take first if they don't luck onto some of the more specialized floors. Say OP took one of these jobs though. Using the "you took a spot" mentality, he is still taking a stepping stone job from another nurse that may plan to stay in the nursing field for life, while he is doing it with full intentions of leaving the field in a year. Now, he has taken a nursing school spot and a nursing job. It does not make sense to use the "you took a spot logic" for someone who decided to just take pre reqs, apply to medical school and not work as a nurse, but then not apply that same logic to someone who only worked in the field for 1-2 years and applied to medical school. Yes, 1-2 years in the nursing field gives you some great experience. But using the logic that others have posted "you didn't work as a nurse so I see you as just using up a nursing school spot" doesn't make since if you don't apply it to everyone who leaves the nursing field. Personally, I would not be offended either way as an ADCOMS member. Sure I would rather see some experience under an applicants belt, but my mentality of rejecting a student who didn't work as a nurse would not be "they took a nursing students spot". Sure I may wonder if they had issues with patient care, or if there was something else ominous about them. That is what the application process is for, to look for clues possibly. But if the rest of their application looks good, they have good LOR's and have some hospital experience under the belt, I would not have an issue.

 

[putmeincoach]

Thanks for all your input everyone. I've decided on taking the NCLEX this summer and hopefully I'll pass. However, I'll only consider working a part-time or a casual nursing position if it doesn't affect my grades/MCAT prep. Getting into medical school is my priority. After earning my RN, I'll be focusing on finishing my prereqs right away and fully preparing for the MCAT. Yes, I know I'm sacrificing potential RN $$ but I believe it'll all be worth it in the end. Also, I've discussed this with my parents and they are willing to financially support me during the application process and I'm very grateful to them for that. Once again, thanks for the replies everyone, good luck in your studies, and happy new year! 🙂

 

[Promethean]

Good for you for taking it. It is awesome to be a licensed RN in med school.

As a med student, I have an easy way to earn $150-$300* or more in a weekend doing home care in a setting where I can basically study the whole time my patient is asleep. Not all nursing jobs are the same, but there are some that are absolutely conducive to doing well in school while earning a bit of extra cash.

It isn't a 'fall back.' It is something that you've worked for, that will help you as you move forward, and that gives you some extra options and exposure to clinical settings that your classmates will envy.

*take home, after taxes, etc. This is so much less than I used to earn in a nursing specialty that wasn't convenient for me to continue while in school... but on the other hand, the complexity of what I'm doing is pretty low, so that is kinda like getting paid $25/hr just to study for at least 6 hours out of an 8 hour shift.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

So going out and grabbing a home health job just for the heck of it in nursing is usually tough to do

Depends on location, where I live they beg new grads to come work because they are largely understaffed. I definitely agree with you though about the whole "taking a spot thing." As an adcom member I wouldn't care, I just think it looks lame to not really finish your degree simply because you didn't want to take a test. Overall I do agree with your points though

 

[Promethean]

Depends on location, where I live they beg new grads to come work because they are largely understaffed. I definitely agree with you though about the whole "taking a spot thing." As an adcom member I wouldn't care, I just think it looks lame to not really finish your degree simply because you didn't want to take a test. Overall I do agree with your points though

Same.

I do have a ton of experience, but I don't think I would have needed it for this gig. It is basically babysitting with a little nursing on the side. They could absolutely hire a new grad to do it.

If you absolutely had to get some acute care experience, get a casual 1-2 shifts a month on weekends job doing med / surg or long term care. 6 months casual looks the same as 6 months full time on a resume, unless you spell it out for them.