crna becoming anesthesiologists,MD??

Tenesma · Apr 30, 2006

I know three who went back to med school - 2 became anesthesiologists and the other one went into internal medicine (go figure).

there is no such thing as "CLEP" - even PAs can't bypass first year...

jwk · Apr 30, 2006

Does anyone know of any CRNA's that decided to go back to school to become an MD? Are they able to CLEP out of the first year like Physician Assistants?

As far as your first question, yes, I know several.

Besides the fact that you can't exempt ANY time from medical school (unless you've taken the ACTUAL med school class) - why would you think a CRNA (or PA, or anyone for that matter) has the requisite knowledge to do so?

MmacFN · Apr 30, 2006

for awhile there was discussions about a PA - MD bridge, which i think is ridiculous, the focus is wholly different.

One of my friends had taken a number of classes hoping to be excempt from them in med school (Biochem etc). He figured that would ease his schedule and give him more time for the "med school stuff". Well, when he was accepted 2 yrs ago he was angry they didnt take those classes. Shortly after getting in and starting the same classes again he found out they were not at all the same but much harder. He did say he had a bit of an edge because of his previous biochem classes, but the focus in med school was totally different. He now understands why nothing transfers.

In anycase, i would be against anything shortening medical school. The physicians i know all feel that there is a 'trial by fire rite of passage' that occurs your first 2 years. While it dosent weed out all the crappy people, it does weed out all those who dont want it enough or arent willing to sacrifice enormously to get it. That makes alot of sense to me.

jwk · Apr 30, 2006

for awhile there was discussions about a PA - MD bridge, which i think is ridiculous, the focus is wholly different.
One of my friends had taken a number of classes hoping to be excempt from them in med school (Biochem etc). He figured that would ease his schedule and give him more time for the "med school stuff". Well, when he was accepted 2 yrs ago he was angry they didnt take those classes. Shortly after getting in and starting the same classes again he found out they were not at all the same but much harder. He did say he had a bit of an edge because of his previous biochem classes, but the focus in med school was totally different. He now understands why nothing transfers.
In anycase, i would be against anything shortening medical school. The physicians i know all feel that there is a 'trial by fire rite of passage' that occurs your first 2 years. While it dosent weed out all the crappy people, it does weed out all those who dont want it enough or arent willing to sacrifice enormously to get it. That makes alot of sense to me.

There are huge differences between college classes and medical school. Biochem, physiology, anatomy, etc., are doctoral level, not college level. Why anyone would assume they could exempt out of a med school class after taking a college class with the same name is beyond me.

surgpa · May 1, 2006

for awhile there was discussions about a PA - MD bridge, which i think is ridiculous, the focus is wholly different.
One of my friends had taken a number of classes hoping to be excempt from them in med school (Biochem etc). He figured that would ease his schedule and give him more time for the "med school stuff". Well, when he was accepted 2 yrs ago he was angry they didnt take those classes. Shortly after getting in and starting the same classes again he found out they were not at all the same but much harder. He did say he had a bit of an edge because of his previous biochem classes, but the focus in med school was totally different. He now understands why nothing transfers.
In anycase, i would be against anything shortening medical school. The physicians i know all feel that there is a 'trial by fire rite of passage' that occurs your first 2 years. While it dosent weed out all the crappy people, it does weed out all those who dont want it enough or arent willing to sacrifice enormously to get it. That makes alot of sense to me.

There are a number of PA schools where the classes are taken with the med students. Why would that not "count"?

Most people who talk about the bridge program are suggesting compressing the time from 4 year to about 3. During a typical 4 yr program there is plenty of slack time, or so I am told. So, get rid of the long vacations and it comes down to about 3 years. Or so I am told.....

Mike

jwk · May 1, 2006

There are a number of PA schools where the classes are taken with the med students. Why would that not "count"?
Most people who talk about the bridge program are suggesting compressing the time from 4 year to about 3. During a typical 4 yr program there is plenty of slack time, or so I am told. So, get rid of the long vacations and it comes down to about 3 years. Or so I am told.....
Mike

If they're the same course number they should. For example - if med school physiology is Human Physiology 501, and that course number is used for both MD and PA programs, that should be fine. That's exactly what we did many years ago - my transcript has the exact same physiology course as the med students.

That' s different than what MMacFN is talking about with his friend who took what apparently were college-level courses and wanted them to be counted as graduate level courses for medical school.

Deja vu Mike - we've had this discussion before.

Tenesma · May 1, 2006

While PA, CRNA, PH.D. students do take some courses with medical students - they often don't take the same amount of hours and don't take all the tests involved with that specific course.

For example, CRNAs take some physiology classes w/ the med students for specific components but aren't present throughout the year for that class.

If however somebody were to take the complete class, including all the hours and all the tests, then I would think it only fair to receive credit as well.

MmacFN · May 1, 2006

hey

yah i agree. if its the same class it should transfer. The reason i mentioned it was exactly what jwk said. My buddy didnt see the initial difference between grad lvl biochem and university biochem He learned!

Nitecap · May 4, 2006

If they're the same course number they should. For example - if med school physiology is Human Physiology 501, and that course number is used for both MD and PA programs, that should be fine. That's exactly what we did many years ago - my transcript has the exact same physiology course as the med students.
That' s different than what MMacFN is talking about with his friend who took what apparently were college-level courses and wanted them to be counted as graduate level courses for medical school.
Deja vu Mike - we've had this discussion before.

At my program we take Neuroscience, gross anatomy, some ethics with the med students, bio chem we have the same instructors with same tests just not in same class b/c PA's are there too and not a room big enough for over 300. WE take the same exams and if we would want to go back to med school the courses would count already.

Bottom line, I know peeps with business degrees that are now in med school. Anyone can do it if you work your a$$ off and if you are intellegent. Many many students in my NUrse anesthesia class scored better than half of the med students in my neuro test last block. Really wouldnt waste your time with CRNA school if you know you want to go to med school. Just take the med schoool prereqs and apply.