BA to ADN/BSN/Direct Entry or Medical School or MPH?

Pianoplaya94 · May 2, 2017

I am not sure how much help I can be since I have little real world experience and have barely finished undergrad. However, I can relate. I am stuck between becoming an RN or getting an MPH in epidemiology. Originally, I was leaning way more towards the MPH, however, over the past couple of months I have been leaning way more towards the RN. I think I will end up taking the RN route as I have just registered for one of the pre-requisites. But sometimes I still reconsider the MPH option. But I'll mention some things you should consider.

Med school: Many years in school. At least 9 years before you can become a practicing physician (4 years of school and 5+ years of residency... depending on where you want to specialize). If you are in the US that is A LOT of money. If you are in Canada... still A LOT of money. Are you a nurse already? Because if you are, you can consider a Masters degree to become a nurse practitioner. They do mostly the same stuff as doctors.

MPH: I'm not sure what you want to do with this. Do you want to do research with the government? I just finished working on 2 research projects with the government (both on infectious diseases). Infectious diseases are my area of interest so I found these projects fascinating and I learn so much working on them. I learned about how to perform certain research and about the diseases themselves. I will like to continue with research throughout my life as part of my career. However, I realized, after working on these projects, that I don't know if I would like this to be my entire career. Although it was initially very cool for me, that was because it was new to me. I didn't mind the stress of it (I sort of like working in stressful environments), but I found that it was quite repetitive. I sat on the computer working on these projects for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. Again, I wouldn't mind doing this sometimes (that's why I would always like to continue with research), but I wouldn't want to do this as my ONLY job. Whereas, this is much more diversity when you work directly with patients (either as a nurse or a doctor). I like this diversity and the combination of hands-on and theory. That's just my preference.

If you are interested in becoming a doctor because of the clinical aspect, I would consider an accelerated nursing program after your community health degree (you could end up with 3 degrees!). Accelerated nursing programs are designed for people who already have degrees and are only 2 years. But, they are 2 intense years with no break and give you the exact same degree (a BSN) as someone who graduated from a 4-year program. RNs are very autonomous and actually do many of the same things as doctors do!

So, not sure how much sense I'm making, but just some things to think about.

Roasted.Peanuts · May 3, 2017

Have you considered physician's assistant? It would save you from getting a BSN then an NP degree to just get the Masters for PA. It seems like the fastest way to get to the clinical setting for you.

Pianoplaya94 · May 4, 2017

Have you considered physician's assistant? It would save you from getting a BSN then an NP degree to just get the Masters for PA. It seems like the fastest way to get to the clinical setting for you.

Yup, I have actually! But there's only 3 PA programs in the entire country... and I don't quite meet the requirements for two of them. I will be applying for the other one. But since there are only 3, they are insanely competitive (more so than med school), so I will apply but am not putting my hopes up.

Roasted.Peanuts · May 4, 2017

Yup, I have actually! But there's only 3 PA programs in the entire country... and I don't quite meet the requirements for two of them. I will be applying for the other one. But since there are only 3, they are insanely competitive (more so than med school), so I will apply but am not putting my hopes up.

Are you in Canada? I know there's a lot more than three PA programs in the US!

Pianoplaya94 · May 4, 2017

Are you in Canada? I know there's a lot more than three PA programs in the US!

Yup, I'm in Canada. There's only 3 (2 in Ontario and 1 in Manitoba).

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · May 4, 2017

You can do the Peace Corps with a Bachelor's degree, you do not need a Maser's to do it. Peace Corps Volunteer though is a two + year commitment.

Try and narrow down why each of the options are appealing to you.

Are you more interested in program development regarding women's health, to look at issues affecting women in this area?

Are you more interested in diagnosing medical problems and treatment plans?

Are you more interested in providing direct education?

Each one of these is a different skill set, they all do have some overlap, except that only MDs, NPs, maybe PAs (not sure of their scope) can make official medical diagnosis and treatment plan

SophieRay · May 12, 2017

Thank you all very much!

I have decided to seek out a Masters and take a few nursing courses along the way.

I cannot commit fully to an Intensive medical school program (9years?!?!)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 13, 2017

Are you able to hear with an amplified stethoscope?