What do I need to work on?

[rondonumbanine]

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[Mr.Smile12]

IMO The rotation hours as a student nurse will be discounted because that's part of your education. You need to get your shadowing and more time working in clinic settings, especially if you graduate before applying. You should ask schools on your list how they will value your other nursing experiences before applying.

 

[Goro]

Hello, I'm a 22-year-old who's applying in the 2024 cycle. And I just wanted to get your takes on what I need to improve on during this last year before I start sending out applications. Thank you in advance for any advice you're willing to give me.

Stats: cGPA: 3.84, sGPA: 3.65, MCAT: 515

Major: Nursing

Clinical ECs:
- Nurse assistant (2021-2022): ~1500 hrs
- Nurse technician (2023-Current): ~100 hrs so far (probably going to have around 500 by the time of applications)
- Student nurse rotations (2022-Current): ~300 hrs by the time of applications

Nonclinical ECs:
- USMC active duty infantryman (medically separated/honorable)
- Outpatient pharmacy volunteer (2022-2023): ~200 hrs
- Food pantry volunteer (2023-Current): ~30 hrs so far (probably going to have around 100 by the time of applications)
- Chemistry research lab volunteer (starting in a couple of weeks; not expecting much in the way of publications, conferences, etc.)
- Shadowing (starting soon; going to shoot for ~50 hrs)

First off, many thanks for your service to our country Semper Fi!

I'd say you're good to go, but you'll need to explain why the jump from nursing to Medicine.

 

[rondonumbanine]

IMO The rotation hours as a student nurse will be discounted because that's part of your education. You need to get your shadowing and more time working in clinic settings, especially if you graduate before applying. You should ask schools on your list how they will value your other nursing experiences before applying.

Thanks for the advice. Just to clarify what you said, the ~2000 clinical hours that I'm going to have from my actual clinical jobs outside of nursing school is still considered low?

 

[rondonumbanine]

First off, many thanks for your service to our country Semper Fi!

I'd say you're good to go, but you'll need to explain why the jump from nursing to Medicine.

If I'm able to clearly explain my reasons for that transition in my personal statement, do you think it will still be seen as a detriment to my application?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks for the advice. Just to clarify what you said, the ~2000 clinical hours that I'm going to have from my actual clinical jobs outside of nursing school is still considered low?

That won't be low, but just make sure committees will credit your experience. I would also make sure you knew your value when it comes to interprofessional experiences the school has. We do have some former nurses who made it into medical school, so I hope they can chime in.

 

[Goro]

If I'm able to clearly explain my reasons for that transition in my personal statement, do you think it will still be seen as a detriment to my application?

No

 

[rondonumbanine]

That won't be low, but just make sure committees will credit your experience. I would also make sure you knew your value when it comes to interprofessional experiences the school has. We do have some former nurses who made it into medical school, so I hope they can chime in.

Thank you again for the advice. My two jobs were/are hospital inpatient jobs that involved direct patient care, so I'm assuming they will count in the eyes of the admission department. Also, I hate to keep bugging you, but can you clarify what you meant by "make sure you knew your value when it comes to interprofessional experiences the school has."

 

[rondonumbanine]

No

Thank you for the advice.

 

[MDMechEngr]

First off, many thanks for your service to our country Semper Fi!

I'd say you're good to go, but you'll need to explain why the jump from nursing to Medicine.

You are 100% good to go Devil Dog.
SF-

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you again for the advice. My two jobs were/are hospital inpatient jobs that involved direct patient care, so I'm assuming they will count in the eyes of the admission department. Also, I hate to keep bugging you, but can you clarify what you meant by "make sure you knew your value when it comes to interprofessional experiences the school has."

Ask how involved nurses are in your interprofessional curriculum (currently as a nursing student and when you become a medical student).

 

[LunaOri]

You should be fine. You don’t really need the research hours.