I SIRD to both schools, I decided to extend my deadline. My issue however is that I've always dreamed of becoming a nurse (so I can have quick patient interaction and more experience faster) so then I can take a break, study for medical school and become a doctor. However, many say that if I go into nursing I won't want to become a doctor and that if I want to become a doctor I should go to the school that'll make it happen faster (Berkeley). Ive decided to decide by May 22, but it is draining me emotionally because my siblings are graduating from the sac state nursing program this semester. I love the idea of becoming a nurse first, but I also love research and Berkeley. I'm in dire need of perspective.

I also considered doing two years at Berkeley and 2 years back at Sac state for nursing but now that I look at it there's honestly no point at all. Your degree isn't going to be from Berkeley. You can do the same exact thing at Sac State. Also, look at this article! I know this might not be your situation but it talked some sense into me. https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/-quot-prestige-quot-1102106.html

My point is that you have a lot of options open to you but if your primary goal is to be a nurse (for now), then maybe the path that's the most direct is the best.

ALSO, have you considered being a nurse practitioner?

I personally would avoid Berkeley at all costs

If you want to be a medical doctor, be a medical doctor. The nursing -> MD route is overly complicated, expensive, and long. Just go for what you want. You can get patient interaction by working in other healthcare fields (EMT, CNA, lab tech) that don't require extensive schooling while you finish pre-med.

If you want to be an MD, do not waste time and money going the RN route. Since you got into Berkeley, you clearly have aptitude. This alone makes you a reasonable candidate for medical school. If medical school does not work out, nursing is always there. I took the "safe" route and decided on nursing over medicine. Fifteen years later, I still regret it.