Do nurses have an advantage in becoming a doctor?

Nurses General Nursing

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Obviously a nurse would have to go back to school and get a bachelor's degree (if they don't already have one) before applying to med school. Would a nurse be better equipped to handle pre-med undergraduate course work, and would a RN score better on the MCAT and have a leg up in the med school application process?

Being a nurse DOES NOT HELP GET YOU INTO MED SCHOOL!!!!!!!

That was my point.

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go lurk around on studentdoctor.net you'll soon learn what they think of nursing students. Comparing the two is like cats & dogs or apples & oranges - we are nothing alike. too bad really...

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

My patients at the dialysis clinic always used to tell me I was so smart, I should go become a doctor.

My response to them: "What, you don't deserve a smart nurse?" (with a big smile, because they were trying to be sweet, and I know that, but still...)

If they go bad, and get sick...and believe me, dialysis patients can crap out on you, QUICK...is the doctor there to stabilize them until the paramedics get there?

Nope. Very unlikely. Not impossible, but they're there only about once a week.

Oh, and medical schools do NOT respect nurses. The residents look at me like I have another head when they first start out, and I have the *gasp* audacity to tell them what's going on...until they get the labs/CXR/other diagnostics back and realize...my coworkers and I were right all along.

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My patients at the dialysis clinic always used to tell me I was so smart, I should go become a doctor.

My response to them: "What, you don't deserve a smart nurse?" (with a big smile, because they were trying to be sweet, and I know that, but still...)

If they go bad, and get sick...and believe me, dialysis patients can crap out on you, QUICK...is the doctor there to stabilize them until the paramedics get there?

Nope. Very unlikely. Not impossible, but they're there only about once a week.

Oh, and medical schools do NOT respect nurses. The residents look at me like I have another head when they first start out, and I have the *gasp* audacity to tell them what's going on...until they get the labs/CXR/other diagnostics back and realize...my coworkers and I were right all along.

Before entering the nursing profession I admit I had the same biases.I changed my mind with the speed of light and quickly gained respect for the RN practice when I learn what does the nursing job entitles I now say " wow a nurse" instead of "just" a nurse As for the doctors,I think that there are few apples here and there but the majority will and do appreciate an effective nurse.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

We have a new PA working for one of the general surgeons and he has no idea at all what he is doing. It is clear that he has never been in a hospital. I have to watch him like a hawk. He could have benefited from at least having some CNA experience.

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Specializes in MED SURG.

YES!!! I do think nurses have an advantage on becomming a Dr. For the pts sake. Because if you are a nurse first and then become a Dr. you will still have the bedside manner as a nurse and not just as a Dr. You will have a medical background and you won't start in medical school not know anything in the medical field. Who care what other med students think everyone will have an opinion of you anyway. Think of what is est for your pt. When I first started school I wanted to be a Dr. but I also needed a degree first and so I decided nursing, that is because there is nothing else I would want to do I have been in the medical field all my life and I could not see getting any other degree. Beside what if something happens and you don't get to go to medical school at least you will be a nurse in the medical field. I know someone that got a Bio and Spanish degree and he really wanted to be a Dr. and take care of pts. well now he is a teacher at a high school because he could not get into med school. He really wanted to be in the Medical field because he loved helping people. I started out being a CNA then an EMT now I working on getting into nursing school as an OB nurse and if I can in the future I would becaome a Dr. OB for my speacialty. So if you want to have the same speacialty as a Dr. as a nurse then there will be more of an advantage. So go right ahead become a Dr. a nurse will be a GREAT DR. better than any other Dr. Thats just my opinion

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Specializes in Behavioral health.

I got the chance to meet a doctor who was a nurse for ten years. The gist of my conversation with her is being an experienced nurse helped in the admission process because she had solid knowledge of health care, but that same experience can be gotten by volunteering.

Being a nurse gave her no advantage during the first two years of medical school. It did make the learning curve somewhat easier in in the third year. By the start of the forth year everyone was equal in knowledge and skill.

Her take home point, if you want to attend medical school, major in what you are interested in. The few advantages from majoring in health science are not worth the lost learning opportunities.

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Specializes in Surgical Trauma Burn ICU, Oncology.
of course because nursing job is harder than the doctors work,I assure you that maybe on the paper medical degree looks impressive and yes I admit those guys have to study their a...off in school however in real life nurses are the ones who take upon the greater responsiblity,multi task, and end up coordinating care.I'm sure a lot of individuals disagree with me,feel welcome I'm just sharing my personal opinion on this very matter.

This is really not true. Both RNs and MDs work very hard. Yeah, we have long 12 hour shifts that are intense, but I don't think that makes our job all around harder. I am engaged to a radiology resident who had to do internal medicine for a year first where he BUSTED HIS A** constantly for 30+ hours every 3 days for a year. Now in radiology he is having to read NONSTOP. Both jobs are really really difficult and rewarding when the two professions *work together*

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go lurk around on studentdoctor.net you'll soon learn what they think of nursing students. Comparing the two is like cats & dogs or apples & oranges - we are nothing alike. too bad really...

Yeah, I've been there. They really look at us (collectively) as bimbos. Some are very arrogant with their views. Seriously, what would a hospital be without nurses? We all have to work together for the patients.

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I hate when this always becomes a nurses vs doctors issue.....in truth both the professions require dedication, hard work, and an understanding of science. The focuses are different. Rant over.

Anyways....in reference to the OPs question.

I dont believe that having gone through nursing school is beneficial or harmful to a med applicant. If one is intent on going through med school, why go through nursing school? I only reccomend that route if one is unsure of whether to be a nurse or a doctor....by going to nursing school first one can buy time. I dont think it is ever a DISADVANTAGE though...having the experience of being a nurse cant be harmful if you are going to be a doctor...some of the best docs I know were nurses first. That said, I wouldnt recommend the path to someone who knows they want to be a doctor already...nursing school is more difficult than most med school adcoms give credit too.

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Excellent, excellent replies. Thank you all so much for giving your advice and opinions. Although at times conflicting, this guidance is exactly what I need going forwards. Great forum, great members, and great advice. Thank you all.

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I also agree that one should not take up space in a nursing program if they have no intention of staying in nursing. There are far too many people who need that space and whose intentions are to work as nurses.

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