How old is to late for medical school

PeakRN · Mar 10, 2018

One of the PEMs I used to work with didn't start medical school until she was in her late 30s, she is one of the best docs I have ever worked with. If the medical model is something you prefer then age shouldn't be the part holding you back. NPs, RNFAs, and CRNAs have roles in the OR but they are not the surgeon.

elkpark · Mar 10, 2018

I work with some physicians who returned to med school in their 30s and 40s. As for how old is "too old," I think you need to look at what kind of debt load you would be taking on and how long it would take to pay it off. You don't want to be sweating making student loan payments in retirement (or being unable to retire because of your debts). You'll be looking at around 10 years of school (finishing a baccalaureate degree and the med school prerequisites, four years of med school, three or more years of residency). And lots of people don't get into med school on their first try and spend a few years just getting into med school.

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons: Best wishes for your journey.

direw0lf, BSN · Mar 10, 2018

Well I can't answer to the age part but I can share other options for you!

When I was in trauma I saw two trauma surgeon residents in the same scrubs doing the same things. One of them happened to be an NP and one was an MD! The NP had gotten her FNP first, then spent 3 more semesters for her acute care, and now she's doing her residency! The sky is the limit with a career in nursing IMO. But, you also can't jump right into everything. One needs to learn how to be a nurse then an NP.

There are also RN first assists and Physician Assistant options. For PA you need a bachelor's degree first and different programs require different sciences and experience hours (as is with medical schools). Duke's PA program has the least amount of sciences required that I've seen but they require 1000 experience hours.

twinsmom788 · Mar 17, 2018

If you really want to go to med school, start now evaluating how you can get through undergrad with close to a 4.0. You will not have as much of a social life as you probably have now. Your life will be consumed with studying and grades, tests, the MCAT, and activities that will make you a competitive candidate for med school admission. Just know that you will be competing against many 20 somethings. You will have a chance if you have stellar grades, and test scores and great interviewing skills.

RainbowSprinkles · Mar 18, 2018

If you want to be a medical doctor, be one. Becoming a np will take you about 7-8 years any way. Approximately 4 years to obtain a bachelors...even if you went the adn to bsn route. You have to work at least a yr before applying to a nurse practitioner program and msn are phasing out, dnp are taking it's place, which are about 3 years minimum.

elkpark · Mar 18, 2018

If you want to be a medical doctor, be one. Becoming a np will take you about 7-8 years any way. Approximately 4 years to obtain a bachelors...even if you went the adn to bsn route. You have to work at least a yr before applying to a nurse practitioner program and msn are phasing out, dnp are taking it's place, which are about 3 years minimum.

7-8 years?? Starting from an ADN, one can complete a BSN in about another year, maybe two (where do you get "approximately 4 years"?), and there are plenty of NP programs that will take people directly out of a BSN program, no experience required. Plenty of people are still completing MSN programs (2 yrs) and getting hired. One can always complete a DNP later if one really wants to or it becomes necessary. I'm not saying I think this is a good idea, but it's the reality.

direw0lf, BSN · Mar 18, 2018

If you want to be a medical doctor, be one. Becoming a np will take you about 7-8 years any way. Approximately 4 years to obtain a bachelors...even if you went the adn to bsn route. You have to work at least a yr before applying to a nurse practitioner program and msn are phasing out, dnp are taking it's place, which are about 3 years minimum.

Georgetown has a new BSN-DNP program that is 2.5 years FT.

I'm not saying it's a good idea or not either to go right for NP but def not 7-8 years for all options.

elkpark · Mar 18, 2018

There are MSN NP programs, as well, that don't require a BSN. Vanderbilt has, for years, had an RN to MSN program in which ADN or diploma grads (with some prerequisites completed) can complete an advanced practice MSN in two calendar years.