HELP! Is it possible for RNS with BSN degrees to attend Medical School to be Doctors?

AmyLiz · Aug 31, 2005

Yeah, you should be able to go to med school with a BSN. They *may* require you to take additional classes before you start, but that would depend on the school. If I were you, I would look up on the internet the med school that you would like to attend and check out their admission requirements. Then if you have any additional questions, just email or call them.

Good luck! :)

stn2003, RN · Aug 31, 2005

Yes, as long as you have taken additionally or within your BSN coursework the Pre-med curriculum which includes: 1 yr physics, 1 yr biology, 1yr inorganic chem, and 1yr organic chem (all with labs). You will also have to take the MCAT.

stressgal, RN · Aug 31, 2005

You may also look at becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Lots of options out there! Good luck!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

You probably will need to do a little bit of both degrees at the same time. That's what I am doing with my ADN & BSN. (For example, Chem is not required for my ADN, but it is for the RN-BSN....so I'm taking chem right now.)

I know you have to have a lot of chemistry classes for medical school....good luck to you....lol

group_theory · Aug 31, 2005

You do not need a science degree to get into medical school. Many of my classmates did not major in the sciences. I also know a couple former nurses (BSN) who are now in med school so it is possible (and not as rare as you might think).

Most medical schools in the United States require the basic "pre-med" requirements - they are

1 year of Biology with lab

1 year of General/Intro Chemistry with lab

1 year of Physics with lab

1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab

1 year of English

Some schools require Math (a few require calculus), others might require 1 or 2 semester of biochemistry, genetics, etc. Contact the schools you are interested in to see what they require.

You will need to master intro biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, and now genetics in order to be well-prepared to take the MCAT (medical college admission test). There is also a verbal (reading comprehension) component of the MCAT that is important too (1/3 of total score) - very similar in style to the verbal component of the SAT

As a nurse (or nurse in training) - medical school admission committee might ask you is: why do you want to switch from nursing to medicine?

As for your plan of working as a nurse while in medical school - it will be VERY difficult. The first two years (basic sciences) will be intense with the volume of information thrown at you in such a short amount of time. You may be able to work part-time during the weekend but the majority of my classmates (myself included) spent the weekend catching up with the material that was covered during the previous week. During the 3rd-4th year of medical school, it will be nearly impossible to work. You will be on rotations and depending on the specialty, spend 60-80s per week (plus take calls at night). It is not unheard of to spend greater than 100 hrs per week.

My best advice if you are still interested in a career in medicine - seek the advice and counseling of a pre-med counselor at your school. They deal with pre-meds all the time and can best advise you on what courses to take and what to do to improve your chances to get into medical school.

Hope I was helpful. Best of luck to you

sweet_april04 · Sep 1, 2005

Thank you all so much!!

All your advice, comments, and opinions has been such a great help!!

I've searched for a few medical schools of my interest and I've seen their requirements. Most of the courses that were suggested by you were RIGHT!

RNS are required to take certain prerequisites.

Thanks again to everyone who took some of their precious time out to reply to my post.

I really appreciate it!! :)

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 1, 2005

btw - I do know that the chemistry they require for nursing is not the chemistry they want for med school so I would check on that before you take it. The chem for med school is generally accepted by nursing schools however.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 1, 2005

I just want to wish you the best of luck in your journey! :)

SusanJean · Sep 2, 2005

btw - I do know that the chemistry they require for nursing is not the chemistry they want for med school so I would check on that before you take it. The chem for med school is generally accepted by nursing schools however.

This is true at many, many institutions. The organic chem and biochem I took were "pre-med" and accepted for med school AND nursing school. However, the ones for "health care professionals" were not acceptable for PA school or med school.

sugabuga · Sep 2, 2005

Good luck working while you're in Med school. You'd be the only I know of that has done it. Work load in med school is outrageoulsy harder than nursing school. When I looked into it they said students were not allowed to work under any condition. Makes sense though when you think of what all you have to get done.

sweet_april04 · Sep 2, 2005

R u saying that maybe I'm gonna have to choose one??

I'll accept all opinions!!