I have completed all the pre-requisites (bio/chem/english/calculus/physics) for medical school during my first and second year of undergrad. Until then, I am preparing myself to take the MCAT on a unspecified date next year. I already have my letters of recommendations and volunteering completed. The only thing missing is my Bachelor's degree, extracurricular activities, and perhaps a few research projects. But, I am beginning nursing school this Fall. I already understand how hectic and time consuming that majoring in Nursing will provide; however, would this be detrimental??
To my understanding, many have discouraged students to major in Nursing during their undergrad due to how time consuming the major is and usually suggest them to major in the hard sciences (bio, chem, biochem). This would probably mean that the pre-requisites along with their labs would be very difficult to maintain. But, if I finished them already, would this cause any problems? It seems as if many people look down on nursing students who want to go pre-med because their taking a seat from someone else who really wants it. But, if you meet the competitive cut off of admissions, don't you deserve to be there? I know some medical students who done Nursing, yet changed their goal of being a Nurse to Physician while graduating from the BSN program.
I will be one of the few who encourages you. I worked with this excellent nurse for about a year. She had already done all her med-school requirements, taken her MCAT, and she was off to med school the next year. She was really good at her job, and I'm most certain she was going to be a really good physician. It definitely gives you a unique perspective. I think you can handle it. Not saying RN school is a breeze, but it's definitely doable if you are determined enough.
I was a pre-med nursing major and so were a few of my other friends. It is definitely possible! The anatomy, physio, and micro required by many nursing programs do count as pre-med classes as well. That being said, I finished my nursing degree first and then worked for 3 years while I finished my pre-med requirements and took my MCAT. I'm so happy I did nursing first because I am able to work during my school breaks and therefore, reduce my school debt. Also, having a nursing background definitely gives me an advantage over my classmates. In fact, the top student in my class is also a nurse who worked as long as I did! I say go for it!
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN
2,387 Posts
I will be one of the few who encourages you. I worked with this excellent nurse for about a year. She had already done all her med-school requirements, taken her MCAT, and she was off to med school the next year. She was really good at her job, and I'm most certain she was going to be a really good physician. It definitely gives you a unique perspective. I think you can handle it. Not saying RN school is a breeze, but it's definitely doable if you are determined enough.