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

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Hi, I'm a freshman in a jr college my goal is to become a doctor but I'm lost on the steps I need to take to go into med school. I'm currently enrolled in a nursing program but I'm wondering is that a smart idea or should I take courses for EMT? I'm lost and confused in this world honestly.

Specializes in ICU.

Nope. I started when I was 18, couldn't stomach the idea of busting my rump through six straight years of school to become an indentured servant for three or four years, followed by a fellowship.. and to do what?? I am much happier with 12 hours of hands on patient care even though I've been told I'm "too smart" to be a nurse. So when you insinuate that the advice I have given in this thread is "negative" and because I'm/we/some nurses are jealous, I get a little defensive. The OP is a college freshman. There's no reason for her to waste time and financial aid on paths that don't lead to her goal. The REAL advice I want to give her? RUN, don't walk, to your nearest teaching hospital and shadow a resident. Find out if what you thought medicine was and the reality of what it really is are similar before you make a very expensive mistake.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I'm all for doing CNA work. Working in some sort of patient care job actually DOES help your med school application. It shows commitment to and knowledge of the field.

And, frankly, it seems like everyone thinks they want to be a doctor. Most get lost along the way during prerequisites ( wanting to be a physician and having the tool belt to ace your degree, prereqs, AND the mcat are two totally different things) and then more trail off after college, so I'd always recommend having a backup plan. I decided to have kids instead of going to med school and all I got was this useless degree in psychology. Now here I am back in school!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You don't get it but thank you.

I think GrnTea does get it. As you stated you are fresh out of high school....getting your CNA will get you a job but it will not assist you in getting into med school. You can be a nurse, You can go to nursing school for four years and become and RN. You will then need another maybe 18 months to two years filling in all the pre-med courses you miss taking your nursing requirements. The you will need to take your MCAT and apply to med schools.....and hopefully get in to one.

Nursing school will not give you the necessary per-requisites to get into med school. It the long route around and at least if you don't get into med school you can be a nurse and then if you are so inclined a Nurse Practitioner.

You really need to call an advisor at college and have a sit down with them over your plan. This is s nursing site...ALLNURSES.....we can give you all the advice about nursing and advanced degrees in nursing but since none, or very few, of us went to med school we can be of little help to you except to advise GO to the advisor at college/med school or a school that offers pre-med and see what you need.

Google is your friend

Med school requirements

Nursing school requirements

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I've noticed a lot of "negativity" toward your idea on this thread...this negativity seems to be prevalent in many posts concerning this idea. I often wonder if a lot of these nurses are jealous...It often seems to come out of this idea that MD and RN are so totally different..well the reality...even as a newbie I can see this...is we all have to work together and for a truly integrated medical system we need each other and so much of both positions overlap...so give us all a break with the separation rants all ready! Sorry...I digressed... I would say it depends on your situation...I can speak from experience...age may play a role as well. I am currently enrolled in a 2yr RN program w/16 months to go and also have plans to someday go to PA/Med school. I don't know your age/situation..I am 43. Do not be discouraged by the nay-sayers...this whole bit about "you are wasting your time/you wont get the required prereqs etc..." Sure there is some truth...a lot of truth... in having to take a lot of advanced Bio/Chem/Physics etc...but never believe you are wasting your time in nursing school. In my case I am getting the RN not only because I feel drawn to it and feel I will be a great nurse, but the reality is I cannot afford to just go to school! Besides how could working in the trenches with patients on a daily basis not help me in med school?! (Oh I am sure I will get some negative nancy cutting me on that...)So many of these folks touting the idea that you are wasting your time etc...do they work? Are they independently wealthy? With the average cost of med school close to $250,000! A great plan a lot "of us" have is to work as a RN etc... as we begin up the path toward med school and beyond...I have met several PA/MD's that took this route...I will say they seem to be all the better for it! Somebody early on in the thread mentioned oldpremeds.org...great site...you will find a lot of like minded people with similar if not identical plans there as well! Work as a nurse and take the additional premed entry courses...it can be done. Look around a lot of people have done it. Like I said...unless you are one of the 1% you are more than likely going to have to work as you prepare for med school...mind as well be in a profession that is as close as you can get...waiting for the fireworks...

Thanks and yeah I'm 18 I just want to continue to get my CNA, I mean my goal is to be a doctor but why not have other titles as well? I just want something to do while I figure out how to accomplish my long term goal.

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With regards to jealousy, I went to medical school BEFORE I went to nursing school. Nice try though.

That's good. :)

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Nope. I started when I was 18, couldn't stomach the idea of busting my rump through six straight years of school to become an indentured servant for three or four years, followed by a fellowship.. and to do what?? I am much happier with 12 hours of hands on patient care even though I've been told I'm "too smart" to be a nurse. So when you insinuate that the advice I have given in this thread is "negative" and because I'm/we/some nurses are jealous, I get a little defensive. The OP is a college freshman. There's no reason for her to waste time and financial aid on paths that don't lead to her goal. The REAL advice I want to give her? RUN, don't walk, to your nearest teaching hospital and shadow a resident. Find out if what you thought medicine was and the reality of what it really is are similar before you make a very expensive mistake.

I know what I'm getting into honestly. I personally do not think I am waisting time I had clinical today actual and also my instructors teach what RNs would do. I know what medicine is and i know my goal is expensive. I've been in the health academy and learning from my own personal doctor and asking questions.

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Nope. I started when I was 18, couldn't stomach the idea of busting my rump through six straight years of school to become an indentured servant for three or four years, followed by a fellowship.. and to do what?? I am much happier with 12 hours of hands on patient care even though I've been told I'm "too smart" to be a nurse. So when you insinuate that the advice I have given in this thread is "negative" and because I'm/we/some nurses are jealous, I get a little defensive. The OP is a college freshman. There's no reason for her to waste time and financial aid on paths that don't lead to her goal. The REAL advice I want to give her? RUN, don't walk, to your nearest teaching hospital and shadow a resident. Find out if what you thought medicine was and the reality of what it really is are similar before you make a very expensive mistake.

And "to smart to be a nurse" that's kind of insulting not to be disrespectful to you.

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I'm all for doing CNA work. Working in some sort of patient care job actually DOES help your med school application. It shows commitment to and knowledge of the field.

And, frankly, it seems like everyone thinks they want to be a doctor. Most get lost along the way during prerequisites ( wanting to be a physician and having the tool belt to ace your degree, prereqs, AND the mcat are two totally different things) and then more trail off after college, so I'd always recommend having a backup plan. I decided to have kids instead of going to med school and all I got was this useless degree in psychology. Now here I am back in school!

Thanks! :) they did say it helps with med school applications.

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I think GrnTea does get it. As you stated you are fresh out of high school....getting your CNA will get you a job but it will not assist you in getting into med school. You can be a nurse, You can go to nursing school for four years and become and RN. You will then need another maybe 18 months to two years filling in all the pre-med courses you miss taking your nursing requirements. The you will need to take your MCAT and apply to med schools.....and hopefully get in to one.

Nursing school will not give you the necessary per-requisites to get into med school. It the long route around and at least if you don't get into med school you can be a nurse and then if you are so inclined a Nurse Practitioner.

You really need to call an advisor at college and have a sit down with them over your plan. This is s nursing site...ALLNURSES.....we can give you all the advice about nursing and advanced degrees in nursing but since none, or very few, of us went to med school we can be of little help to you except to advise GO to the advisor at college/med school or a school that offers pre-med and see what you need.

Google is your friend

Med school requirements

Nursing school requirements

I'm not in nursing school! Getting my CNA and working/volunteering at facility which I am doing now will look good on my application for med school. I am in a 5 month CNA program I will be certified in December if I pass the state exam.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
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

If you are planning on becoming an LVN then you will be in nursing school.

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If you are planning on becoming an LVN then you will be in nursing school.

I'm not

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Here is the best advice I can give.

Do your CNA since you already are.

Next semester take biology 101 chemistry 101 whatever math class you fall into and english.

This may sound like a tough schedule to some but it is a schedule of dedication which you need to have for the rest of your educational plan, and I'm sure you can handle it if you are made to be a doctor.

Talk to your counselor about the requirements for the 4 year of your choice during the spring so you don't take unnecessary courses.

I am in california and UC davis SOM suggests that you complete your 4 year degree and then apply to the SOM.

Your four year degree would be in biology most likely since there isn't a 'pre-med' degree

So the whole plan for med school plays out like this:

CC major biology (3 years in reality?)

university major biology

Mcat

SOM

Uc davis SOM has its requirements set out pretty simply:

One year (2 semesters)of college-level Biology

One year (2 semesters) of college-level General Chemistry (biochemistry is acceptable).

One year (2 semesters) of college-level Organic Chemistry.

One year (2 semesters) of college-level Physics.

One year (2 semesters) of college-level Math (only calculus, statistics, or computer science will be considered).

For nursing school you need

3 biology courses (not 4)

1 or 2 chemistry depending on the program

You need 1 math (stats usually)

But you don't need physics

Also some nursing programs have nutrition and psychology required

You can see they overlap about 50% so its best if you decide soon which route to take.

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