NP to MD

elkpark · Jun 5, 2009

Tammy, you crack me up!

Ditto!

forpath · Jun 5, 2009

There are a few off shore programs that may give you credit. One is Oceania. Steeped in history, they have been around since 2002. If you start now, you too could be in the graduating class of Thursday.
http://www.oceaniamed.org/graduateMD/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=89

That Oceania place is a joke! You don't necessarily have to take the MCAT, there's not a single class on "Healthcare as a Team" or "Advanced Medical Theory" and you can't attend online. What gives?

wowza · Jun 7, 2009

I have been a CNM/FNP for 7 years and "fell" into the role of and Oncology NP. I am loving it but am quickly seeing the invisible glass ceiling. I originally was going to go to Med School but became enamored with the NP role. Does anyone now of any reciprocity agreement with MD programs? Or anything about this possibility?

You're not going to find any agreements at any US university or any carribean university that will allow you to gain practice rights in the US. You unfortunately are looking at 4yrs med school, 3 years IM and then 3 years HO fellowship. So your big choice will be stay where you are or give up your current salary for $150K-300K of debt, and 4 more years of school followed by pretty terrible hours in residency/fellowship for 6 years.

Personally I think it's a no-brainer to stay where you are

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Jun 7, 2009

That Oceania place is a joke! You don't necessarily have to take the MCAT, there's not a single class on "Healthcare as a Team" or "Advanced Medical Theory" and you can't attend online. What gives?

That might be true, but did you see the cool coffee mug and calendar you get when your enrollment check clears? I think they deserve a second look.

Gator FNP · Jun 10, 2009

I feel a NP does not receive the respect that we deserve. I have worked in an office setting for the last 4 years. I have felt some MDs were more open-minded about us than others. MDs are familiar with what a PA does (basically whatever they are told to do). We are not like that.

I feel our profession knows how to work independently, think for ourself, and consult when we need to. I am now employed in a large teaching hospital, I speak with different physicians on a regular basis. I am treated differently here than in an office setting. I feel we are respected here for what we provide to our patients. I have also rotated through nursing homes when I was employed in an internal medicine practice and was respected there by the staff. They were so grateful to have someone coming in on a regular basis to see the patients.

silas2642 · Jun 11, 2009

I feel a NP does not receive the respect that we deserve. I have worked in an office setting for the last 4 years. I have felt some MDs were more open-minded about us than others. MDs are familiar with what a PA does (basically whatever they are told to do). We are not like that.
I feel our profession knows how to work independently, think for ourself, and consult when we need to. I am now employed in a large teaching hospital, I speak with different physicians on a regular basis. I am treated differently here than in an office setting. I feel we are respected here for what we provide to our patients. I have also rotated through nursing homes when I was employed in an internal medicine practice and was respected there by the staff. They were so grateful to have someone coming in on a regular basis to see the patients.

I don't understand why you feel that your scope of practice should be different than a PA's.

MurseMikeD · Jun 11, 2009

Silas, I've read your other posts, please don't start. This forum isn't a place for medical students to come instigate flame wars with nurses.

TravelGtr · Jul 2, 2011

Hi,

I was wondering if you know of any NPs who have gone on to medical school? What are your/their experiences? Any NPs out there that have considered it at some point during their career?

I've only been a nurse practitioner (FNP) for a short while, but I've always felt a tugging desire for a formal medical education. I think I'd hoped NP school would leave me feeling fulfilled but two years into practicing as an NP, I'm finding myself wanting it even more. I'm getting ready to start a one-year premed post-bacc program to finish up my prerequisites for matriculation into med school. I guess I'm just wanting to hear others' experiences, as I don't personally know of anyone who has gone this route.

Just want to clarify, NPs rock and I enjoy and respect my role.. but for me, the number of hours I spend pouring over medical journals and researching various pathologies would be better spent in a formal educational program (haha).

Thanks! :)

TG

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 2, 2011

No, I don't. Try a physician forum and ask if there are former nurses or NPs among them. Good luck!

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 2, 2011

I'm sure it's not that rare to find NP's who went to med school. I've been acquainted with one who was actually in her mid-forties and was even precepting NP students when she decided to shift careers. She attended a US allopathic program and went through four years of med school. She's a resident in Internal Medicine now. I've lost contact as she matched at a residency program in New York. Don't know what her motivation was though I know she was financially stable and was fine with not working while she was in med school (she was married to a physician). Incidentally, I've met an Anesthesiology resident and a Urology resident who were once working as PA's.

CRF250Xpert · Jul 2, 2011

I would go in an instant, but I became a FNP late in life and look forward to retiring soon. If contemplating the change - DO IT NOW!!! Don't spend the rest of your career as a second fiddle and wishing you were the MD!

SkiBumNP · Jul 4, 2011

It's good to hear someone else thinking the way I am, i have just been an NP for less than a year, and I am allready planning on making the switch. I wish you luck and hope to follow your path into a more comprehensive medical education.