RN to MD?

[KungfooNurse]

I apologize in advance because I realize this is a NP forum! I just wanted to see if anyone here with their experience in the field would be able to grace me with their knowledge!!!

I am a recent graduate from UCI who is finishing up their nursing pre-reqs at Saddleback college. I majored in Economics so I do not have any pre-med requirements fulfilled within that degree. My undergrad gpa sucks in economics... it's a 2.5 give a little. I was a superinvolved (extracurricular activity) kid... now it's biting me in the butt! I am currently a ripe age of 23... and I am not tired of school. If I was put into a med school program, I KNOW I would excell.

I heard of a post bacc program, but I don't even think my gpa qualifies for it! I realized that I wanted to become a nurse pretty late... and while taking nursing classes and excelling so well in them makes me really regret not taking up bio as an undergrad and excelling.

I was wondering if anyone knew about the Medical School Application process well enough to give me advice as what to do. I was thinking maybe I should become an RN first while taking med school pre-reqs and then applying for med school (after a few years of working).

Currently my gpa is a 4.0 in my 26 semester units for nursing pre-reqs (which will include the 9 units I am currently finishing).

Any advice for me? I mean even if you are a NP who thinks that being an NP would be the smarter path for me to take, I would appreciate your advice. I'm not that great with this server thing yet, so please bear with me!

-THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!

[Burnt2]

I was just on one of the other treads about medicine versus nursing and surprisingly there were a couple nurses that stated that nurses were "eyes and ears" of docs. I think they meant regular RNs. Because I've got a lot of education and am doing a second degree bsn now, I don't want to be "eyes and ears". I want to use my brain and be respected for that. The time commitment involved in med school is a bit much considering I'm in my 30s and am already committed to an accelerated 2nd degree bsn. Did you encounter that type of disrespect in the field, or was you mind valued by your co-workers, including the docs. Also, do you really think the the NP route gives you the autonomy and respect you deserve? I've thought of going to PA school, but thought the NP route made more sense at the time. Thanks for the info and congrats!

J

Both PA and NP are great choices, and from what I understand in actual clinical practice there isn't that much difference between the two (although I think this has been debated ad nauseum).

In this day and age, I think there is more of a sense of symbiosis between docs and nurses, at least in the ICUs where I work. We have a lot of autonomy, and if you're looking for it you'll have a chance to use your brain every shift, and expand your knowledge. I don't know about floor nursing, i've never done it.