RN in Medical School -Should I keep this to myself?

[RNthenDoc]

Hi All,

I'm a pediatric RN that has just recently been accepted to Medical School and will be matriculating in the Fall of 2020. It has taken me several years to do this as I've been working part time and taking classes. All of the nurses that I work with have been incredibly supportive during this time, and have even gone out of their way to switch shifts with me to make sure that I was able to make it to last minute interviews.

At one of the interviews last week, the physician that interviewed me told me that my being a nurse is something I should never tell to the nurses on the wards during rotations and in residency because it would not go over well and would hinder me as a student. I was actually surprised by that sentiment because that is not what I have experienced thus far at all! I feel like it would be a good bonding moment between myself and the nurses because I've been there and in essence I feel it will make my residency go more smoothly because having been a nurse, I know exactly what orders the nurses (as well as the interdisciplinary team in general) will want.

From nurse to nurse, what are your thoughts on this? Keep it to myself, or not?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm thinking it might be your fellow med students and the medical staff who might give you a harder time about it than the nursing staff.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I know almost nothing about the backgrounds of the doctors I work with. The subject just never comes up, and conversations rarely veer towards personal conversation.

I suspect IIg is on to something about it being about fellow med students and medical staff.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

4 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Don't necessarily tell them that you're a nurse, but prove in actions and demeanor that you respect them and their profession.

That. Apples and oranges - nobody will likely know or care, and if you're looking for bonding I'd try other things. Best of luck!

[babyNP., APRN]

NP, not a doc, but I would say it’s variable on where you work. I literally heard nurses tell other nurses who mentioned that they were going to school “what, you don’t think we’re as good as you?” and didn’t treat them well. When I went to school, I kept it under wraps and it came out organically and went over better.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 10/20/2019 at 6:40 PM, bent1993 said:

I feel it will make my residency go more smoothly because having been a nurse, I know exactly what orders the nurses (as well as the interdisciplinary team in general) will want.

Surely you jest....keep your business to yourself,if you wanted to be a nurse you would not have signed up for medical school,so do not think you are fooling anyone...stick to your learning ,what you were before or your past experience and telling everyone is poor judgement of human frailties.

Good luck , but you will no longer be a nurse do not expect to be accepted as such, work hard, and succeed.

[GingerRN79, BSN]

I worked with an amazing Anesthesiologist who had great bedside care and was wonderful with patients...she had something other Anesthesiologists didn't have (I have worked with many intelligent and talented anesthesiologists), she was an ICU RN first. I feel it made her more approachable and she could understand our practice. I don't see how nurses could have a problem with a fellow nurse advancing their education.

[Closed Account 12345]

All I want to say is good luck to you! Don't let anyone (like a few posts above) tell you that you aren't a nurse anymore; you don't have to be clinically employed as an RN to be a nurse. Your nursing background will always affect the way you interact with patients and members of the healthcare team for the better.

For those who, for whatever reason, act ugly about the fact that you're advancing your education and choosing a new path, just remember: "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Are you going to be able to keep up with your required nursing hours and CEU's for licensing in your state while in med school?

Best of luck to you!!

[1MoreCoffee, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

First of all, congratulations on your achievement! Getting into medical school is a big deal and you should be proud of yourself. As to your question, I would not hide the fact that you are (and always will be) a nurse as you go on to become a physician. Your background in nursing may make you a better physician than those who go straight through from undergrad to medical school, because you have patient care experience and you have seen the psychosocial aspects of medicine. Best of luck to you!

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

Personally it would not bother me one bit as a nurse. However, I would not flaunt it with your fellow med students. You don't want to put an unintended target on your back. Med school is tough enough without drama from other students. However as others have said, your experience may come up in conversation and I would not hide it when it is brought up.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

I worked with a critical care fellow who was an RN before. He was AMAZING and I (Along with many other RNs) admired him more because he knew what it was like to be “one of us”.He was very relatable and had excellent bedside manner. He was not above any task either.

agree That you shouldn’t advertise because people can just be assholes but don’t hide it either.

[DeeAngel]

There is no benefit to you in having people know this information. I would keep my mouth closed about it because it will be less drama for you to deal with. The people you work with are not necessarily your friends.