Medical schools that admit Nurses?

Nurses General Nursing

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Are there any medical schools out there that accept Nurses without the pre-reqs laid out by the majority of North American schools of medicine? Eg. Physics, Organic Chem

Thanks.

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Why would you want to attend a school that did not have those requirements?

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This has been asked on this board a few times before, and, as I recall, no one is aware of any schools that give nurses any special treatment. You (we) have to meet the same requirements every other candidate does.

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Being a nurse might be an advantage, since you have medical experience and knowledge, but you must have all the other classes and meet GPA standards, etc.

That was certainly true for the nurses I have known who went to pharmacy school as well.

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Nope, you still have to take a year of Biology, General Chem, Organic Chem and Physics.

The A&P can count as biology, but you should also make sure that you have a biology that covers DNA, genetics, etc. since you'll find that on the MCAT.

Kris

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When I was looking into possibly apply to medical school my premed advisor told me that most medical schools frown upon accepting nurses into their program. She said it made them feel as if they were increasing the nursing shortage. She said a few programs in my area just flat wouldn't let me in because I was a nurse and she said a few would consider me. Something to think about, because all I have heard is that it is harder for nurses. BTW she has her RN as well.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
When I was looking into possibly apply to medical school my premed advisor told me that most medical schools frown upon accepting nurses into their program. She said it made them feel as if they were increasing the nursing shortage. She said a few programs in my area just flat wouldn't let me in because I was a nurse and she said a few would consider me. Something to think about, because all I have heard is that it is harder for nurses. BTW she has her RN as well.

One of my MD instructors used to be a nurse before going to school. I think medical schools are highly variable on what type of students they are looking for.

As for the orginal question: I don't think there are any medical schools that don't require the basic pre-med classes. I am only taking one class for my graduate degree with medical students, but you would be at a BIG DISADVANTAGE w/o those classes.

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1 - I wouldn't waste my time/money at a medical school that didn't have those requirements. Even if the school was somehow accredited, it couldn't have a decent reputation. Your degree wouldn't be worth much more than the paper it was printed on.

2 - Without those courses, you'll be at massive disadvantage when taking the MCAT - it covers physics, organic and general chemistry, lots and lots of biology... nearly impossible do well when you haven't been exposed to the material in class.

I think as a nurse, you'd have a huge advantage over other medical students - as long as you have all the background material.

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When I was looking into possibly apply to medical school my premed advisor told me that most medical schools frown upon accepting nurses into their program. She said it made them feel as if they were increasing the nursing shortage. She said a few programs in my area just flat wouldn't let me in because I was a nurse and she said a few would consider me. Something to think about, because all I have heard is that it is harder for nurses. BTW she has her RN as well.

Sounds like she was protecting her own profession by discouraging you from jumping ship.

I have never heard of any particular prejudice against accepting RNs into medical school. That being said, although there are tons of EMTs, CNAs, etc apply to med school, there are far fewer RNs. I suspect that this is likely due to the prereqs, which most RNs will not take while in college. Believe me when I tell you that the MD community could care less about nursing staffing issues, except as it affects us.

No, U.S. medical schools will not waive requirements, regardless of your background. In fact, many non-traditional students find that their college courses "expired" and they have to retake them in order to be considered for admission. I have even heard stories of biochemists having to go back to retake intro-level courses because of this, despite the fact that they actively worked in the field.

Honestly, you wouldn't want to do this anyway. The MCAT would be next to impossible without taking a year of organic, physics, biology, and maybe a little biochem. For better or for worse, you actually have to use a lot of this in your first two years of med school, and likely you would fail out if you didn't have at least a cursory grasp of the subjects.

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Sounds like she was protecting her own profession by discouraging you from jumping ship.

I have never heard of any particular prejudice against accepting RNs into medical school. That being said, although there are tons of EMTs, CNAs, etc apply to med school, there are far fewer RNs. I suspect that this is likely due to the prereqs, which most RNs will not take while in college. Believe me when I tell you that the MD community could care less about nursing staffing issues, except as it affects us.

LOL. . . . except as it affects us. . . .I believe that. ;)

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That's funny, I'm having the exact opposite problem. I earned a 3.97 pre-med degree. Medical schools are wide open for me but I want to be a nurse therapist. It's going to take me a year to get the pre-reqs in before I can start my NP program.

So the opposite is true too I'm sorry to say. Master's programs in nursing give pre-meders a rough way to go too. Maybe you should consider advancing your NURSING degree :) I'm a little biased but I can't think of anything more honorable than advancing the nursing profession instead of being one more statistic telling the world that being a physician is "better" than being a nurse. If you really want to be a doctor, though, by all means go for it. Not meaning to discourage you! You'll get in just fine and you'll do just fine too :) Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
When I was looking into possibly apply to medical school my premed advisor told me that most medical schools frown upon accepting nurses into their program. She said it made them feel as if they were increasing the nursing shortage. She said a few programs in my area just flat wouldn't let me in because I was a nurse and she said a few would consider me. Something to think about, because all I have heard is that it is harder for nurses. BTW she has her RN as well.

Ask her to back that up with documentation, because I can tell you now she is quoting personal opinion and not anything that is based on fact.

Medical schools are all about acadmics...if you have the coursework, the grades and the MCAT score, you are on EQUAL ground with everyone else.

In fact, you would be a head up.

I have friends that have been admitted to medical school with degrees in English and Psychology..can your advisor really sit there and claim those majors are more desirable than a BSN?

I would wager not.

PS: There is a serious shortage of medical school graduates wanting to do general practice...the nursing shortage is over...a general search on this message board will tell you how hard many of them had to look for a job.

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