MD to RN?

[jackshepard]

Hi all.

New user here. I apologize if this is in the wrong subsection. Mods, please move as needed.

I'll get straight to the point.

I am a recent US MD graduate. Did not get into residency. Major reasons were beyond my control. But with the continued trend of having more US grads competing with a stagnant number of residency spots, my story is hardly unique.

Anyway, I passed Step 1 and both parts of Step 2, which were required for graduation. I have worked alongside nurses and have a great appreciation for what they do. I thought about going the RN route prior to embarking on the MD adventure.

I understand that becoming an RN will take more schooling. I am certain I can handle it as well as any other person transitioning from a different career into nursing. And the loans required don't scare me. I bet I have more than 99 % of RN students!

What are your thoughts about this? Have you all run into MD to RN folks?

Will my MD background be an asset or liability when it comes to applying for RN schools or RN jobs post-school?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[flyersfan88]

The loans should scare you. With med school loans and nursing school loans, I find it hard to believe you'd be able to put a roof over your head while paying them back.

I'm sure your background could be of help, but you would have to keep yourself in check with the vast difference in scope of practice. And to remember you really don't know anything. At all. Experienced nurses worth their salt generally guide the interns, not the other way around.

It's very different. Make sure it is actually what you want, and that putting yourself into an even more massive financial hole won't leave you feeling dissatisfied and inadequate.

[JoseQuinones]

Nope.

Whatever happened that prevented you from getting a residency? Have you looked into some of the Federal programs that match residents with underserved areas? For example, the HIMA San Pablo Bayamón hospital here has residents from all over the country, many of whom don't speak any Spanish. Many of the nurses who work there I have spoken to snigger at them and call them washouts - which some may be - but the way I see it, nothing is worse than throwing in the towel before you exhaust every option. It is not a prestigious option, but it gets them the mandated hours.

[Dranger]

I think it will be an asset, but why don't you look at direct entry NP? What were your step 1 scores? Not even an IM or FM residency was on the table?

Nursing is different than medicine, but I don't think its anything you can't handle.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I would do everything I can to get into a residency program at this point. Even if it means moving out of the country. If I could practice as an MD, I would not choose nursing.

[Dranger]

I would do everything I can to get into a residency program at this point. Even if it means moving out of the country. If I could practice as an MD I would not choose nursing.[/quote']

I concur, even if your scores sucked you gave four years of dedication to achieve that degree. Don't give it up.

[flyersfan88]

I concur, even if your scores sucked you gave four years of dedication to achieve that degree. Don't give it up.

Yep. This. Do what you have to do.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Before you consider nursing, try again for residency on the next round. Not everyone gets a residency right away; don't be too quick to give up.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am an IMG who switched to nursing, and I will not advice this move before full understanding and acceptance of what is ahead. Your MD background will NOT be your advantage. I found too many nurses to be fiercely antiintellectual, prejudiced to people who happen to know more than they are and able to bully and sabotage colleagues only because of their superior knowledge and skills. I almost paid with my health and life itself for finding a bedside nursing job where I am accepted and do not have to cover up what I know and can do. This is not even mentioning the fact that nursing and "doctors" thinking and approach are quite cardinally different things. One needs to completely turn around thinking processes to do this. I can compare it with driving right and left steering wheel.

Either you will choose to shut up permanently and never, ever mention your MD past and pretty much downplay yourself, or you will have a good chance to face it all. If you have any opportunity to do that, go to direct-entry MSN and become nurse practitioner.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Can't you apply for the match next year or see if you could match in a different residency? Sometimes there are openings after the match...people move, decide to change residencies, etc.

I think you are going to be unhappy with being a nurse, even a nurse practitioner, if your initial goal was to be a physician. Being a nurse shouldn't be a consolation prize for not matching in your desired specialty. Have you spoken with your program director? Maybe take a year to do research then reapply. Did you have competitive Step 1 and 2 scores, or did you just pass by the skin of your teeth?

Have you sought out advice from fellow medical students/residents? Personally, I just think it would be a waste for you to give up when you have gotten so close.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

What about a transitional spot through your school? Teaching? Research fellowship?

As far as MD to RN's, I've worked with a few. Foreign educated, left medicine for child-rearing, etc. The latest two that come to mind were exceptionally bright, embraced their new roles and flourished. (One went on to CRNA).

I didn't witness any sour grapes from colleagues related to their former lives. We actually valued their A&P and patho knowledge.

[mago8388]

Why on earth would you go from MD to RN? I agree with the previous poster that the loans should scare you unless you have rich parents that pay your stuff. Do yourself a favor and find a residency program. Even if you have to move across the country. Being an RN isn't easy and not because of what you have to know but because we are the one to basically deal with the BS after the doctor leave the room.