Premed to Nursing

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Hello beautiful people, I am 24 and a survivor of a rare neuroimmune disorder. As a first generation college student, I have gone through a series of hardship that have shaped me into who I am today and I am so incredibly grateful for everything in life. I graduated last year from a renowned university in California with a bachelor's degree in public health and transitioned into a one year competitive premedical Post Baccalaureate program which made me realize my earlier plans during high school to become a nurse practitioner never went away. Unfortunately, it just took an expensive detour to make me see and believe nursing aligns more with the core of who I am. I am highly interested in one day serving patients in neuro-rehabilitation. May I kindly ask for advice and perhaps mentorship? I would be grateful for any input. Thank you so much for reading!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Welcome to AN! What questions do you have, or would like advice on?

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Thank you so much! My main questions:

  1. I am most passionate about working with individuals suffering from a range of brain injury. What field(s) of nursing work most closely in that field? I am aware there are PM&R physicians.
  2. From what I am aware through researching different programs, I need to complete anatomy and physiology. Does it matter where I complete these (community college vs. university setting)?
  3. What is the range of volunteer or clinical hours I should obtain? The most significant experience I've had was a clinical unpaid internship I completed during my undergraduate career for 1.5 years where I rotated through a wide range of medical departments to provide general assistance such as patient ambulation and encouraging prescription compliance ( i.e. Geriatric psychiatry, pharmacy, oncology)?
  4. For direct entry MSN programs, which ones should I be aware of that require an interview?
  5. In what ways might my undergraduate degree in public health be used or prospects for advancement?
  6. Would my background being premed be a disadvantage in any way?

Thank you so much for your valuable time! I would be grateful for any other information I may not have asked about!

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Thank you so much! My main questions:

  1. I am most passionate about working with individuals suffering from a range of brain injury. What field(s) of nursing work most closely in that field? I am aware there are PM&R physicians.
    When you say brain "injury", I think of neuro-ICU since it deals with catastrophic strokes, neurosurgery, and actual brain damage. I don't think you'll be helping with any rehab though. If you expand injury to neurological disorder, perhaps a post-stroke floor would be to your liking since you said neuro-rehabilitation? If you work on a general neuro floor, you may see strokes, ALS, myasthenia gravis, seizure disorders, and multiple sclerosis (I know I'm leaving other things out).
  2. From what I am aware through researching different programs, I need to complete anatomy and physiology. Does it matter where I complete these (community college vs. university setting)?
    This is school dependent and you should call the school and make sure. If your gpa is intact, I would pick the cheapest route possible.
  3. What is the range of volunteer or clinical hours I should obtain? The most significant experience I've had was a clinical unpaid internship I completed during my undergraduate career for 1.5 years where I rotated through a wide range of medical departments to provide general assistance such as patient ambulation and encouraging prescription compliance ( i.e. Geriatric psychiatry, pharmacy, oncology)?
    I would get a paid clinical job, but hit 100+ hours of volunteering if you want to be competitive. This is definitely program specific and calling admissions would help you get a better idea.
  4. For direct entry MSN programs, which ones should I be aware of that require an interview?
    No idea, a quick call to the school you're interested in goes a long way! :)
  5. In what ways might my undergraduate degree in public health be used or prospects for advancement?
    No idea, would make you eligible for some accelerated BSN programs though.
  6. Would my background being premed be a disadvantage in any way?
    No way. Recruiters and schools would be impress if your gpa is intact. If you verbalize a good reason to your switch, then don't worry about it.

Thank you so much for your valuable time! I would be grateful for any other information I may not have asked about!

See bolded.

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