Getting A Bsn With The Intention Of Becoming A Doctor

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 2 of Getting A Bsn With The Intention Of Becoming A Doctor

dontknowwhen

39 Posts

I just wanted to get some thoughts on this. There are a number of people who are entering the BSN program with me in the Spring who plan on using their degree as a "springboard" for medical school. By this I mean that they planning on graduating with a BSN and taking the prereqs for medical school on the side. Is that fair? Personally I don't think it is fair. I know a number of people with GPA's above a 3.5 who not only didn't get into the nursing program but they also didn't make it onto the waitlist as well. Now mind you I know that you can get you undergraduate degree in anything, but I think in a way that its unfair for someone who never intends on using their nursing degree to take the spot away from someone who does. What do you think?

I'm not a nurse or nursing student (yet), but life is not fair. There are plenty of people with degrees that they do not use. I know a woman who is a dentist and has never practiced because she doesn't have to. It's unfortunate for the person who didn't make the cut, but thats how it is.

Why is it a problem if they think Nursing is easier than Chemistry or Biology. For them it may be. Why is that a problem? You never know they may get into it and find that they love it (or hate it and drop out:devil: )

Treat them as you would any other competition. Just try harder next time. Raise your G.P.A. Apply to more schools. my .02

dontknowwhen

39 Posts

I wouldn't think people do nursing because they think it's easier. Likely they think it's related, and will give them the opportunity to gain experience in healthcare before committing to medical school. If they earned their place, they have a perfect right to be there. I'd rather they were there than someone with less ability or skill who ends up as an RN.

And don't forget, a vast majority who apply for medical school don't make it into the course, so they may end up in the nursing workforce anyhow.[/quote]

I agree with what you've said. You do get hands on experience in a medical setting. It may not be the best route, but could it hurt?

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I think it is perfectly fine to get your BSN and then go to med school....why not? Heck, I would more Dr's would do just that.

All the MD/DO's I know who were RNs before med school are fantastic Dr's! My children ped was an RN before med school and she is just awesome.

For some people (myself included) I find nursing school to be WAY EASIER than half the pre-med classes I took (BioChem, Orgo Chem, Physics 2, Calculus). I was pre-med for 3 years (only 1 more semester left) when I realized that if I didn't get into med school with my Bio degree I would be stuck with a degree that I couldn't do much with (undergrad level). I enjoy nursing a great deal and am content. I enjoy every day of nursing school and clinicals and my job at the hospital.

And now that all my medical school friends are studying a gazillion hours a week and I'm not for NS, I don't mind ;)

Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I know a wonderful doc, she is an endocrinologist. I have worked with her and been her patient. Her people skills are excellent, she knows you by name, a little about you, takes time with her patients and deals with the whole person rather than just this one issue the patient is there for.

BTW..she obtained her ASN and put herself through med school working as an RN.

JenNJFLCA

447 Posts

As I said before I know that as an undergrad you can major in anything. (I think I probably should have flushed out my post more) There seems to be the misconception that obtaining a BSN its easier to get good grades because majoring in nursing is not as hard as the science majors.(which I know the science majors are EXREMELY DIFFICULT) So some of the people that I've encountered who want to do this (some but not all) didn't come to the realization that while taking their nursing prereqs that they wanted to be doctors. They seem to have a disdain for nursing. Its like they picked it because they thought it was an easy major.

I got my first BS in Marine Biology w/ a minor in Chemistry. I can honestly tell you that nursing was a heck of a lot harder! :smilecoffeecup:

swatch007

112 Posts

I just wanted to get some thoughts on this. There are a number of people who are entering the BSN program with me in the Spring who plan on using their degree as a "springboard" for medical school. By this I mean that they planning on graduating with a BSN and taking the prereqs for medical school on the side. Is that fair? Personally I don't think it is fair. I know a number of people with GPA's above a 3.5 who not only didn't get into the nursing program but they also didn't make it onto the waitlist as well. Now mind you I know that you can get you undergraduate degree in anything, but I think in a way that its unfair for someone who never intends on using their nursing degree to take the spot away from someone who does. What do you think?

Think about it: since most nursing credits (courses) won't be counted when they apply to medical schools, in a sense they would be wasting their time in nursing schools. We shouldn't really view BSN as just their stepping stone to MD. I aggree with the other posts here that these aspiring MDs would be better DRs since nursing philosophies of treatments are more on humanistic approach --you fellows know what I'm talking about.

As for the seats that they are "taking away from" other applicants, competition is the nature the game. If a student meets all required qualifications, s/he will be accepted. I know that in many cases here in the U.S., the more competitive applicants cause to raise the bar of minimum requirements because of limited seat available; consequently, the rest of the applicants have very slim change of getting accepted--Yeah I was one of those too. I had earned my BS in Science while waiting before I was finally got accepted in a nursing program. I could have gone to medical school since almost all of my credits are transferable.

I haven't regret (yet ) being a nurse, so its great career choice for me; hopefully for those aspiring MD's in nursing schools too.

What is not really fair (based on many BSN students I know) is the accelerated nursing program. Students with BS degree can spend very little time (usually a year) to earn their nursing degree. In military, we call it "THE SHAKE AND BAKE PROGRAM"

Jolie, BSN

6,375 Posts

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Plus taking up a slot for a Nursing student, when any of them can major in Chemistry, etc, and still get into med-school.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here. Should we restrict a qualified student from access to a particular academic major because s/he may choose not to practice in that field for his/her entire adult life?

What about those of us who have a nursing degree but are now SAHMs? What about nurses who pursue MBAs and go to work in the business field?

What about the unit clerk at my old job who completed a BSN but chose not to take boards?

My point is that we never know at the outset of our education just where we will end up. Maybe we will practice in our chosen field, maybe not. But I don't think that other's perceptions of our future career plans should make or break our acceptance into an educational program.

supermo

129 Posts

Specializes in Policy, Emergency OR, Peds OR, CVOR.

I am currently in an ADN program and have completed nearly all the core classes for my RN-BSN. After that I hope to work as an RN while I attend either grad school or med school. I have to do this slowly because I still have 5 kids and a SO to raise :lol2:.

If I do choose to pursue my MD, I hope that my experience as an RN will make me a better Dr. If I choose to go into Informatics (my other passion=computers) or Consultation or whatever, I do consider my ADN and my BSN as stepping stones. Actually, they would more accurately be described as my foundation.

I admire anyone that can work as a bedside nurse. I do not feel that is my strong point and I have far reaching goals. Who knows, once I get my BSN, I may realize that bedside is my destiny and not pursue further degrees.

Anyway, I would say not to disparage anyone's chosen path for their future. You can't know how far they will go or what choices they may make. Blame the lack of fairness on a shortage of good-paying teaching positions for nurse instructors.

+ Add a Comment