Help :'( I'm lost on the steps I need to take to go into med school.

brie_1994 · Sep 12, 2012

What I would suggest is that maybe you do some research into some the schools you are considering doing your premed in and maybe see if you can talk with some of their admissions staff so that you know what it is you need to complete your premed degree and maybe get some information for what is expected of you when you go on for you graduate and your doctorate. Then I would take that information to your advisor at the community college so that they can help steer you in the right direction as to what Associates degree you can go for. Most community colleges have Associates of Biology degrees, that would probably be more applicable towards a Medical degree. A nursing degree would give you some of the core classes you would need for an MD and it would give you a decent paying job while you are in med school as well as patient experience however your nursing classes wont transfer towards an MD and you may have spend an extra year towards getting your MD than if you went for an associates in Bio instead. I hope this helps good luck! :hug:

Thank you, best answer by the way. I'm in a CNA program now and it's only 5 months so il be done in December!! I just want a job that will give me a little taste of the health field.

brie_1994 · Sep 12, 2012

Why would you apply to nursing school if you plan on being a doctor?

I'm just getting my CNA

Music in My Heart · Sep 12, 2012

If you really want to get into med school, you should change your major to chemical engineering or biochemical engineering and then take the few additional classes needed as pre-reqs (specifically, genetics and embryology). Ideally, a double major coupling the rigor and science/math of engineering with the breadth of a degree in music, philosophy, or literature would make you an exceptionally strong candidate (presuming that you're an excellent student).

While nursing can be a path to med school (I know a few docs who are former RNs), the nursing education itself really provides nothing helpful for the med school path.

brie_1994 · Sep 13, 2012

If you really want to get into med school, you should change your major to chemical engineering or biochemical engineering and then take the few additional classes needed as pre-reqs (specifically, genetics and embryology). Ideally, a double major coupling the rigor and science/math of engineering with the breadth of a degree in music, philosophy, or literature would make you an exceptionally strong candidate (presuming that you're an excellent student).
While nursing can be a path to med school (I know a few docs who are former RNs), the nursing education itself really provides nothing helpful for the med school path.

Ok I will look into that. :) thank you

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2012

With all due respect, no, you might think you know what you want, to be a physician, but you clearly do not have an idea about what you're getting into, in terms of the academic preparation needed or where you'll be when you get there.

Nursing and physicianing are not in a continuum-- that means they aren't on the same ladder. They are separate professions. Although we share many skills and knowledge points, physicians aren't some sort of super-nurses, and nurses aren't some sort of junior physicians. EMT is a whole different THIRD ladder.

If there's some reason you don't want to take the trouble to go to the guidance department of the university you'll have to attend for real premed coursework, you owe it to yourself to look for a medical school admission department online site and check what they say they require as minimal admission requirements. Note I said "minimal," because it's hard to get into med school and you'll have to really excel at the preparation. Junior college is NOT going to cut it. It's only September. Get out now and start where you need to be, or be sure that the courses you will take this semester will transfer into a decent premed track at university. Do it NOW.

brie_1994 · Sep 24, 2012

With all due respect, no, you might think you know what you want, to be a physician, but you clearly do not have an idea about what you're getting into, in terms of the academic preparation needed or where you'll be when you get there.
Nursing and physicianing are not in a continuum-- that means they aren't on the same ladder. They are separate professions. Although we share many skills and knowledge points, physicians aren't some sort of super-nurses, and nurses aren't some sort of junior physicians. EMT is a whole different THIRD ladder.
If there's some reason you don't want to take the trouble to go to the guidance department of the university you'll have to attend for real premed coursework, you owe it to yourself to look for a medical school admission department online site and check what they say they require as minimal admission requirements. Note I said "minimal," because it's hard to get into med school and you'll have to really excel at the preparation. Junior college is NOT going to cut it. It's only September. Get out now and start where you need to be, or be sure that the courses you will take this semester will transfer into a decent premed track at university. Do it NOW.

I know the difference between a nurse and a physician I just happen to be interested in both more so in other things in the health field as well. Sense I just graduated from high school I thought this would be good. Start a CNA class and be certified by early December and have a job in that ,while then, working towards getting classes that will put me in premed classes at a 4 year. Does that sound right?

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

I don't know if being a CNA is really going to help with getting into med school. You might be better off using the time you would spend working studying for your pre-med classes or the MCAT.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 25, 2012

I know the difference between a nurse and a physician I just happen to be interested in both more so in other things in the health field as well. Sense I just graduated from high school I thought this would be good. Start a CNA class and be certified by early December and have a job in that ,while then, working towards getting classes that will put me in premed classes at a 4 year. Does that sound right?

No it doen't sound right. CNA and nursing has nothing to do with becoming a doctor.What do you mean working towards classes that will put you in premed? Junior college will not do that.

brie_1994 · Sep 25, 2012

I don't know if being a CNA is really going to help with getting into med school. You might be better off using the time you would spend working studying for your pre-med classes or the MCAT.

But I'm saying I'm in a junior college right now n after 2 yrs I transferso I'm using these 2 yrs to b a CNA or upgrade to lvn

brie_1994 · Sep 25, 2012

No it doen't sound right. CNA and nursing has nothing to do with becoming a doctor.What do you mean working towards classes that will put you in premed? Junior college will not do that.

.....I am currently at a jr college sense I'm here I'm doing the CNA while I wait to go to a four year so I can at least embrace what some facilities are like. Sense I'm going to start clinical which is good and is also about 375+ hours at the end and a good look. When I'm done with this, which will be in December, il take other classes I know junior classes will not do that.

loriangel14, RN · Sep 25, 2012

But I'm saying I'm in a junior college right now n after 2 yrs I transferso I'm using these 2 yrs to b a CNA or upgrade to lvn

LVNs are nurses.Becoming a nurse will not get you into med school. You should be focussing on premed classes if your goal is med school. LVN would just be a waste of time.

brie_1994 · Sep 25, 2012

LVNs are nurses.Becoming a nurse will not get you into med school. You should be focussing on premed classes if your goal is med school. LVN would just be a waste of time.

I know but I'm not in a 4 year yet that's what I'm trying to say. This junior college has a nursing program. I know that becoming a nurse will not get me into medical school. I am at a > 2 year