What to do?

[ANPtoMDtobe100]

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Hi,

I am a RN and currently in a master program full time to become a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner. I have completed 50% of the program. Halfway through the program, I realize I DEFINITELY want to become a physician. I only need six pre-requisites and the MCAT for most medical schools in this state.

I would like to get opinions... Should I go part time with my MSN program so I can start taking pre requisites classes? Or drop my MSN program and focus entirely on getting into medical school? Are there questions I should consider to help me make the best decision for myself?

I hesitate to leave the FNP program to focus entirely on finishing up pre admission requirements for medical schools because I do not know if I'll get into medical school in the first round of application, and I find FNP more enjoyable than RN at this time.

Thanks everybody!

 

[DocJanItor]

In addition to what is stated above, you need to know that med school entrance is highly competitive. Merely taking the courses and the MCAT won't be sufficient for entry. Additionally, there's little guarantee that you can be accepted even with great scores in your own state. It's always advisable to apply broadly to schools that match your stats and your desired areas for living.

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

You should just finish your MSN, you're halfway there already. Probably wont look good if you drop out, adcoms might question if you have problems with commitment.

Also, you might want to think about your ECs: Volunteer hours? Research? Leadership? Anything else that'll make you stand out? Just being a RN/NP will not be enough... there are plenty of nontrads with established careers going into medicine.

Best of luck to you!

 

[ANPtoMDtobe100]

Thank you all for the feedback! It is very much appreciated. Could someone tell me if this is a good tentative plan to get into medical school?

2019 - continue my MSN, take one to two pre-requisites for medical school

2020 - become licensed as a FNP in early 2020, and find part/full time work (hopefully a job with flexible job schedule), finish at least two more pre-requisites for medical school (ideally finish all if I find a flexible job or work part time as a FNP)

2021 - continue working as a FNP, prepare for MCAT for about 3-6 months and volunteer in a non-clinical setting weekly, finish up any remaining medical school pre-requisites, get letter of recommendations

What I anticipate will be challenging is finding work as a FNP with a flexible job schedule. Most available jobs for a new graduate will be M-F 8-5 setting, which will make going to school difficult, but not impossible.

Also, if my end-goal is to become a hospice and palliative provider, with training as a PCP or psychiatrist, in order to provide care for the poor/underserved/uninsured or inadequately insured, should I still go ahead and complete my MSN?

I stand corrected in my original post: I will be starting my third of five total semesters in my MSN program beginning of next year.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Your timeline seems reasonable to me, just don’t be afraid to stretch it out if you’re struggling to keep up. Grades and MCAT scores are way more important than finishing earlier.

If your goal is to be a hospice provider, can’t you do that as an FNP?

 

[Stagg737]

Just a heads up to OP, if you want to do hospice and palliative care as a physician you should do an IM or FM residency. Psychiatrists do not work as palliative care physicians (at least I've never met one, and I'm a psychiatrist).

 

[ANPtoMDtobe100]

Thank you all! The community has been so helpful!

@Matthew9Thirtyfive: yes, I can practice as a FNP in hospice. It is true that I can become an excellent hospice clinician as a FNP if I obtain years of experience, active feedback on how well I am doing as a pro ider regularly, and excellent mentorship from other providers. However, I live in a state that is not friendly to NPs, i.e. no "full scope of practice" akin to physicians. I will not be able to open up my own practice without an attending medical director nor will be able to practice as I deem best for a patient. Aside from restricted autonomy, I want to become a more competent clinician. I understand it will be those tidbits of knowledge gained in deep understanding of sciences along with extensive mentorship with other healthcare providers through medical school clinical rotations and residency that will help me develop the exceptional clinical foundation I crave. As of right now, my clinical foundational training consists of securing my own preceptors and hoping one day that I will find the right collaborating physician to work with that will gladly mentor me, which does not bode well with me considering the rigor of training physicians get through their education.

@Stagg737: The process to become a board certified hospice physician is still confusing to me. I am still researching it. Nevertheless, I am happy to hear that FM is still a good specialty for hospice and palliative medicine. Thank you for informing me!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Thank you all! The community has been so helpful!

@Matthew9Thirtyfive: yes, I can practice as a FNP in hospice. It is true that I can become an excellent hospice clinician as a FNP if I obtain years of experience, active feedback on how well I am doing as a pro ider regularly, and excellent mentorship from other providers. However, I live in a state that is not friendly to NPs, i.e. no "full scope of practice" akin to physicians. I will not be able to open up my own practice without an attending medical director nor will be able to practice as I deem best for a patient. Aside from restricted autonomy, I want to become a more competent clinician. I understand it will be those tidbits of knowledge gained in deep understanding of sciences along with extensive mentorship with other healthcare providers through medical school clinical rotations and residency that will help me develop the exceptional clinical foundation I crave. As of right now, my clinical foundational training consists of securing my own preceptors and hoping one day that I will find the right collaborating physician to work with that will gladly mentor me, which does not bode well with me considering the rigor of training physicians get through their education.

@Stagg737: The process to become a board certified hospice physician is still confusing to me. I am still researching it. Nevertheless, I am happy to hear that FM is still a good specialty for hospice and palliative medicine. Thank you for informing me!

That's how it should be. NPs should not be given full scope of practice akin to physicians, and it sounds like you live in a state that cares about public health. But that's really a whole different argument. Along those lines though, I agree that if you want that fund of knowledge and the full scope, that going to med school is the best bet. I have met a palliative care physician who is an FM and I have heard a podcast from one who is IM. So you can do it both ways. Good luck to you. 🙂

 

[ANPtoMDtobe100]

Thank you for the encouragement!

Since I crave for that foundational knowledge, I am contemplating on leaving my MSN to pursue medical school full time. It makes me worried though that it can make me look "flaky" considering the previous posts in the thread. However, I am also blessed to be able to have the opportunity to become a FNP since it is still a respectable career that will allow me to gain experiences in my desired clinical interest areas (primary care and hospice medicine), albeit with some limitations.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Thank you for the encouragement!

Since I crave for that foundational knowledge, I am contemplating on leaving my MSN to pursue medical school full time. It makes me worried though that it can make me look "flaky" considering the previous posts in the thread. However, I am also blessed to be able to have the opportunity to become a FNP since it is still a respectable career that will allow me to gain experiences in my desired clinical interest areas (primary care and hospice medicine), albeit with some limitations.

I would stick out the msn and use it to get clinical experience. You don’t want to seem like a flake.

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

Your timeline looks great but you shouldn't apply until you are ready and have the stats + ECs.

Working under a medical director is a better plan for you than full autonomy straight out of school.

Just curious... how long have you been a RN? Do you work in a hospital, clinic or NF? Does your company employ NPs? Can they can transition you into a NP position?

 

[ANPtoMDtobe100]

I have been a RN for 2.5 years. I was working in a hospital, but I am now working for a hospice agency making hospice visits. My company does employ NPs, but they are not hiring right now at the location I am currently living at.

I definitely will work under an attending when I graduate because I am no where close to being autonomous. Hopefully, I'll find a flexible position for new graduate FNP since I want to be able to focus on pre-med route.