Hi everyone, so I was a medical student and now in the transitioning state to becoming a nursing student. I've looked around for forums about this topic, but not much is seen, except for the transition from nurse to doctor. I've completed my HESI and TEAS V exams a couple of weeks ago and have applied to a few schools. Currently, I'm at a community college finishing up pre-reqs for the schools. I was just wondering if there is any former medical student that made the transition to nursing, if they would like to share their experience and to give any pointers about anything.
You will do just fine in nursing school. I know someone who was in medical school in india but for whatever reason couldnt practice in the US so he went to nursing school and now is in an NP program. He is very knowledgable about patho and pharm (more so than every other nurse I know) and after the typical learning curve that I think comes with every nursing student, he does just fine. I agree with the suggestion to be very humble with your colleagues and peers.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
Nursing is hard, but medicine is harder, I would have to bet. I see residents everyday and I see the stress. I think nursing is a better option because as MDs get out of primary care and the ANP and DNP take over that spot, there is going to be a need. I looked into vet school and it is just as competitive and hard and it you accrue huge debt and you don't make much money. I think our residents make around 50K a year for the 5 years in residency. That is nothing. They have >100K in loans at a very minimum.
Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.
One ER physician said that if he could do it over again, he would become a CRNA or a NP. He says the ER PAs and NPs have better hours than he has.
I recently heard one of our ED attendings say that after the enormous amount of taxes are taken out of her check she ends up bringing home roughly what the PAs of our ED do. Still nice compared to a RNs paycheck, but with all the student loan debt and malpractice insurance, I'd be upset.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I recently heard one of our ED attendings say that after the enormous amount of taxes are taken out of her check she ends up bringing home roughly what the PAs of our ED do. Still nice compared to a RNs paycheck, but with all the student loan debt and malpractice insurance, I'd be upset.
Almost certainly the malpractice insurance is paid for her as a benifit of her employment. It's sort of a myth that physicians must pay their own premiums out of their pocket. I am sure a few do but it's unusual.
I completed my B.S. in Biology and planned to go on to medical school, I just didn't feel like I had enough drive so I opted for nursing school. There were some pre-reqs (statistics and nutrition) that weren't included in my biology degree and I had to go back to a community college to take them online. Had I actually applied to med school, got accepted and began school work, there's no way I would change my major unless I failed. I too am curious, why the change?
I completed my B.S. in Biology and planned to go on to medical school, I just didn't feel like I had enough drive so I opted for nursing school. There were some pre-reqs (statistics and nutrition) that weren't included in my biology degree and I had to go back to a community college to take them online. Had I actually applied to med school, got accepted and began school work, there's no way I would change my major unless I failed. I too am curious, why the change?
OP posted earlier that he was struggling in a Caribbean med school
Hey man, I don't know why others here haven't suggested another nursing route.
But since you already have a bachelor's degree in biology, and you have been through what, one or two years of medical school, why not apply for a master's entry program in nursing (AKA "MEPN")?!!!
Man, if I could go back in time, I would have applied for these types of MEPN programs!
I already have a bachelor's degree, not in biology or biochem, but in business administration. These programs are usually for students who have a bachelor's degree in something, other than nursing.
The nursing students in these MEPN programs tend to be more studious, there are less "drama" and immaturity amongst the students, and a lot of them are grown ups. Hence, less issues and drama when working with these students.
So go ahead and take the pre-requisites to your classes.
But I would highly recommend you apply for any kind of MEPN nursing program, so that way, you become a nurse practitioner, since you already have some medical school experience under your belt! Good luck!!
Boy did you open a can of worms! I'm going to try to help by giving you some things to think about.
The provider vs. nurse divide is a tricky thing you'll have to overcome. As already noted, you will get the question "Why did you switch?" Many people believe that doctors look down on nurses as inferiors. Since you were first in medical school and are now looking at nursing, people will think you have stepped down a level. Be prepared for that by having a ready answer or not mentioning it at all.
Second, as a male nurse you will have problems and challenges that female nurses do not. In some cases, you will have the same challenges (sexual jokes, harassment, etc) that females get. I suggest visiting AllNurses' male nurse section once in a while to vent.
Nursing school is hard. The ASN schools in my area a 2-3 year progam and they do not suffer fools. It's either do it right or get out. You can fail out a hundred different ways. It also has a one time rule. You are allowed to repeat any class once, fail a second time and you are expelled. For that reason, many people shy away from electives. Once I asked one of the MDs about what happened if they didn't do well in a class. He said that as long as they have the $$ to keep going, they take the class again until they get it right. (Though your posts suggest otherwise.)
Had a friend in the military in nursing school with me. As an army medic he was doing procedures in the field that he would never be doing at home unless he was at least an NP or PA. He would constantly be telling his instructors how he would do things differently. He ended up washing out of nursing school and excelling in PA school instead.
Also have a friend who was an MD in another country and couldn't get anyone to renew his residency here in the states. He ended up working as a OR tech while trying to figure out his next move. He didn't. He loved being a tech so much more than being an MD (stress levels, malpractice insurance, etc) that he's been there for a dozen years and is almost never without a smile.
So good luck! If nursing is your thing, then stand strong and get it done. I hope that nursing is as rewarding for you as it has been for me thus far. You'll have the same ups and downs that we have, and the nurses here will always be there to build you up, support your frustrations or tear you down as needed. ROFL!
ls927
4 Posts
Nursing is doable. If it's what you want to do.