Nursing/Med school? Please help

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 16, 2014

It would take less time to major in a science to get a bachelors in 4 years than to get a BSN, which usually take more than 4 (due to pre-reqs).

If you want to go to med school, don't waste your time becoming a nurse. The nursing model & the medical model are different. There are also different pre-reqs for med school than nursing school, which means you'll have to take additional classes.

If you're on the fence, speak to an academic advisor, who can provide you with all the info you'll need, plus a timeline.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do :)

amaygo5 · Jan 16, 2014

I am 18 years old and currently enrolled in a community college. I want to get a nursing degree, but I also want to go to medical school. I am completely aware that nursing is not easy and the nursing program does not fulfill all the requirements for med school. My question is, what should I do? Has anyone else done this before? I'm getting stressed out because I don't know what classes to choose and the advisors at my community college are not helpful. I wanted to get my bsn and work for a year or two before applying to med school. If anyone could offer suggestions it would be a great help!

I think you should start majoring in what ever subject you are interested and also continue taking pre-reqs for med school. I have several friends that were accepted to Med school for next year. If I can recall correctly one was majoring in Accounting.. Another friend who also was accepted majored in psych. It all depends on your interests and if you have shadowed, have community service, can take leadership roles. I would rec for you to enroll in a CNA course to have that as your experience or EMS and continue taking classes at your local CC.

Good luck with everything! :)

Compassion_x · Jan 17, 2014

Honestly, med school vs. nursing school is something that you will have to decide. Obviously med school will take longer, be a lot more expensive, but it is worth it if that is what you want.

Just spend more time doing research, and take some general classes in the meantime.

msrxchef · Jan 17, 2014

I switched over from pre-pharm to nursing. Im a junior in college. Im looking to pursue an associate then take the NCLEX then an online BSN program. I would suggest just getting involved with health care. Volunteer shadow talk talk network network. And tell people you are thinking about pre-med. I switched out of pharmacy coz i didnt like how pharmacies were off to the sidelines on healthcare.

msrxchef · Jan 17, 2014

Oh and I know pre-med curriculum overlaps with pre-pharm quite well but not nursing. Most pre-nursing only requires genchem, A&p and thats it. Ive seen a classmate try to do BSN+premed but it took her 5 yrs.

lifeatthebluffs, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2014

Honestly . . . do one or the other. Personally, I'd recommend getting the BSN, working for a few years, then becoming an advanced practice nurse, at which point you will basically have all the authority of a physician (as well as a similar salary, if that's really what you're getting at--and with less school debt than undergrad + med school). If you really want to go to med school, I'd recommend getting your CNA, LPN, LVN, or medical assistant training, then doing that while completing a bachelor's other than nursing. Lastly, with nursing, you can continue to have a normal life once out in the real world. Physicians tend to have work schedules that may require missing important family events and canceling appointments at the last minute because they have to work. They also tend to have more unpredictable hours. I'm not saying that these things never happen to nurses, just that they happen to nurses much less often. In any case, study hard and good luck!

VAgirl247 · Jan 17, 2014

Don't forget about nurse practitioners. I can't remember, but by a certain year all nurse practitioners are going to be a doctorate degree.

meeep, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2014

Don't forget about nurse practitioners. I can't remember but by a certain year all nurse practitioners are going to be a doctorate degree.[/quote']
That's merely a recommendation, not anything set in stone

Dranger · Jan 17, 2014

Go to med school, forget nursing. I have answered this question so many times I feel like my eyes are going to bleed. The two don't overlap at all and if you go pre-med and don't get in you can try for PA or double back to nursing.

I did both pre-med and nursing, all my summers were gone so it wasn't worth it.

Also my pre-med courses were A LOT tougher than nursing school so trying to schedule both in a semester will kill you.

texasgirl22 · Jan 17, 2014

Do you know what specialty you would like to practice? If it's something that NP's aren't involved with, like surgery, then just get a degree that won't be as time consuming that allow you time to complete all the required pre-reqs without giving up all your time. You'll be giving up most of your 20s anyway if you go to med school so at least enjoy your undergrad.

I considered medical school and was about to pursue that path but have decided to stay with nursing for several reasons. I would highly advise you to look at healthcare from an economical standpoint before you make your decision because, if you choose the med school route, it'll take ~10% of your life and upwards $150K in debt.

Gah I remember when I was trying to make this decision. It really makes your head spin. Good luck. No one can make this decision for you, both have pros and cons. But if you won't be content with your career until you have "MD" or "DO" next to your name, stop now and just get a bio degree or whatever.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2014

It would take less time to major in a science to get a bachelors in 4 years than to get a BSN, which usually take more than 4 (due to pre-reqs).

Traditional BSN programs take 4 years. I had no pre-reqs in my undergrad program. I entered as an 18 yr old fresh out of high school. Everything was built into the program beginning with 1st semester freshman year.