I have completed pre-med, BS in CS/Statistics, and MBA. What should I do now?

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Hi guys,

I am in need of honest opinions and suggestions about my future endeavors. I have a degree in pre-medicine (from overseas), bachelors in computer science and masters in statistics (from overseas and equivalent to bachelors in US), and MBA (masters in business administration from Kaplan University online in US). Two years ago, I studied with my wife, an RN, to pass her NCLEX exam. I am quiet confident that I would be able to pass the NCLEX after studying for a few weeks. Unfortunately, the exam requires a nursing diploma. At the same time, I kick myself in the rear for not listening to my parents, who suggested to me approximately 20 years ago to become a cardiologist or neurologist.

  1. What are your thoughts about nursing or medical doctor? I realize that it is a nursing form; however, I am simply seeking unbiased opinions.
  2. Is there any way to sit for NCLEX without nursing diploma?
  3. If no for question 3, how/where can I get the ONLINE diploma in the minimal amount of time? Please consider the possibility of transferring credits from courses in pre-medicine including biology, chemistry, and tons of electives.
  4. If I were to go for RN, that won't be the end. I would be interested in the fastest way to get MSN. Please consider my last degree in MBA, although there is practically no overlapping except that both are master degrees.
  5. Wifey suggested Informatics, which sounded very appealing as well, since I would be able to utilize both the computer skills and the medical knowledge. What's the fastest approach to achieve this Informatics?
  6. Considering the amount of time and the $$$ involved, going back to question 1, is nursing a better idea or applying in a medical school? As with nursing and MSN being the goal, I would go all the way to a specialist and/or a surgeon, if I decide to go in that direction.
  7. Moreover, I have a choice to go back to university and complete a focused MBA within 6 months, to compliment the current general MBA. One of the choices is Health Care Management. What are your thoughts about it?
  8. Finally, another choice is going for PhD. But I would end up with thick glasses, would lose the leftover hair, and would probably have the only choice of becoming a professor at a college or university.

While considering the facts above, please consider that I am a 37 year old male. Also, besides learning more about the medical field, financial stability in future is certainly a strong motive.

Looking forward to your responses and potentially changing my future/career.

Thanks,

Moon

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

You need to go to nursing school to get your RN. Should be easy for you since you can pass with just a week or so of studying, right? Good luck.

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Hi Moon,

1. No opinion. I like them both.

2. No.

3.You have not to study ADN or BSN if you study AMNP (Accelerated Master's In NUrsing Pathway).

4. Look at AMNP.

5. I don't know. You can also study Surgical Physician Assistant to do some surgery.

6. I have no clues.

7. You can take PhD in nursing.

Hope this help some!

Moonlight

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I would recommend looking into a PA (Physicians Assistant ) Program. With the premed and advanced degrees you may find that you much prefer that degree of practice or like someone else posted try a direct entry MSN program. I know here in AZ they have accelerated BSN/MSN programs at the State Universities.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Answers to your bullet points #2 & #3:

You cannot obtain a nursing license in any of the U.S. states without having graduated from an approved school of nursing. And you generally cannot complete a nursing program online, as nursing requires hands-on clinical experience face to face with actual patients. There are 2 exceptions that I am aware of: Chamberlain & Excelsior. You can google them. Keep in mind that they still require traveling on a couple of occasions to present yourself for hands on skills training/testing, and that some states do not accept their diplomas for nursing licensure.

The other things that you mention in your post include applying to medical school to become a physician, attending nursing school and then pursuing your MSN (in what? anesthesia? nursing education? nurse practitioner? nursing administration? informatics?), and university-level teaching after obtaining a PhD. These are all vastly different career paths. Many MSN programs require 1-3 years of nursing experience, meaning you would have to actually work as an RN for a period of time.

I don't think that this is a question of what you should study. I think the question you should be asking is what do you want to do with your life, as in, what do you want to go to a job and do every day? Apparently that is not a question you've had to ask yourself up to this point ... but it is now.

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Haven't you given your future career any amount of serious thought? Unless you are planning on being a professional student, something some would say you are already qualified for, you have to make a choice sometime. Strangers on a public website really do not have the background to advise you.

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Is this for real???

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Excelsior's online program requires previous healthcare licensure as an LPN, respiratory therapist or a paramedic. There is no online only program for someone without a previous nursing education (RN Diploma/ADN upgrading to BSN/MSN or LPN/RT/medic bridging to RN)

You might want to consider meeting with a career counselor to formalize your career direction as you seem to be rather scattered right now based upon your post.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
Excelsior's online program requires previous healthcare licensure as an LPN, respiratory therapist or a paramedic. There is no online only program for someone without a previous nursing education (RN Diploma/ADN upgrading to BSN/MSN or LPN/RT/medic bridging to RN)

Thank you for the correction. Chamberlain has online degree completion programs for currently licensed RNs ... and Excelsior has the stipulations you list, with possible admission exceptions for those who have already completed 50% of a traditional nursing program (including clinical courses) within the last 5 years (per their website).

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thank you for the correction. Chamberlain has online degree completion programs for currently licensed RNs ... and Excelsior has the stipulations you list, with possible admission exceptions for those who have already completed 50% of a traditional nursing program (including clinical courses) within the last 5 years (per their website).

FYI, As of December 31, 2011 Excelsior changed their admissions policy and will no longer admit students who completed 50% of their nursing program.

"Undergraduate applications are no longer being accepted from candidates who have successfully completed at least 50% of the clinical nursing credit hours with a minimum grade of C in an associate, bachelor's or RN diploma nursing program within 5 years of completing their last clinical nursing course. Prospective students with this health care background who have previously been admitted must submit their enrollment form and fee postmarked no later than 12/31/2011."

Admission Requirements for Associate Degree in Nursing Programs - excelsior.edu

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Haven't you given your future career any amount of serious thought? Unless you are planning on being a professional student, something some would say you are already qualified for, you have to make a choice sometime. Strangers on a public website really do not have the background to advise you.

I believe that the man mentioned CAREER CHANGE. He did not say he's never had a job or that he doesn't already have a career. Many adults in the non-medical professions DO continue their education WHILE WORKING. The man also said he'd gotten degrees overseas. Perhaps he worked there, immigrated here, and is simply investigating new career options in a new location.

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OP, lets cut to the chase.

You will need to slog it out in medicine hands-on, I mean in person.

There is no way to avoid this aspect -- and it is going to take some time to achieve. Are you up to this? This is the part that separates the wheat from the chaff. This is how you will find out IF you CAN be a provider or not. Many unfortunately get to the hands-on aspects and find shockingly it's not at all something they can or want to do.

You will find out what you are worth. Literally.

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