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

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
On 10/20/2019 at 6:34 PM, Pixie.RN said:

It could go two ways — either you will bond, or they will be like "wth, being a nurse wasn't good enough for you? You think you're better than us now?" So learn to read the room — that is an essential skill!

I deployed with a general surgeon (who has gone on into the vascular specialty) who was an ICU nurse before med school. He was awesome. I personally love it when people realize their dreams. Not everyone feels the same.

A good friend of mine was a trauma ER/ICU nurse and is now in his third year of med school. I don't think he tells a lot of people about his background because during med school, it really doesn't come up much. Might be different during residency.

Anyway, congrats! When you get into your program and you really understand what "drinking from a firehose" means and you wonder what the heck you got into and why, just hang in there — it will be worth it!

My feelings exactly. I worked with two fantastic ED MDs who were RNs prior and they were easily the most awesome ED MDs I've ever had the privilege to work with. Congratulations on your success!

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Specializes in Practice educator.

I work in the NHS, every time we've had a nurse turn to a doctor its been great because they're normally better than the rest. I see no reason why you can't just be honest?

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Specializes in PICU.

I think for now just focus on going to Med School and learning how to be an MD. As you fo your clinical rotations and things come up, you should mention it, but otherwise I think it might look a bit odd, or people may wonder why are you telling them that you were previosuly a nurse. What would you hope to gain from telling people that you were a nurse prior to med school? It is different having your co-workers who know you being supportive of a friend working towards a goal, than a brand ew face who they don't know.

Think about how you viewed the med students on the unit, what were your expectations of them? How did you talk about them to your fellow nursing colleagues? Maybe the nurses on the ward where you would be doing clinicals are tough on the med students..

I wish you luck and congratulations on getting into med school, that is a huge accomplishment.

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Specializes in Practice educator.

What would you hope to gain? Why does it need to gain anything? Its a part of who you are. Why should you hide a part of your identity and past?

How on earth does that look odd?

I really am not seeing the logic why a nurse needs to hide their profession. Its crazy.

1 Votes
Specializes in ER, TNCC.

I wouldn't tell anyone.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.
On 10/20/2019 at 7:34 PM, Pixie.RN said:

It could go two ways — either you will bond, or they will be like "wth, being a nurse wasn't good enough for you? You think you're better than us now?" So learn to read the room — that is an essential skill!

I deployed with a general surgeon (who has gone on into the vascular specialty) who was an ICU nurse before med school. He was awesome. I personally love it when people realize their dreams. Not everyone feels the same.

A good friend of mine was a trauma ER/ICU nurse and is now in his third year of med school. I don't think he tells a lot of people about his background because during med school, it really doesn't come up much. Might be different during residency.

Anyway, congrats! When you get into your program and you really understand what "drinking from a firehose" means and you wonder what the heck you got into and why, just hang in there — it will be worth it!

I couldn't agreee more! Congratulations and best of luck.

0 Votes

I wouldn't say anything. Congrats! I love hearing stories of nurses that go on to be MD's.

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Congrats.

Basically, don't be weird about it. Don't hide your background like you're ashamed of it or scared of your new colleagues; and don't walk around with an RN sign on your back like you expect that to make some huge difference to everyone. If your background is relevant to some conversation, share it. If not, don't impose it.

Good luck.

3 Votes
Specializes in Battlefield/Critical Care.

This thread is a great example of nursing butt-hurt. You have nothing to be ashamed of AND you will always be a nurse as far as I'm concerned. My favorite physician colleague was a CNA, LPN, RN and then MD. People who "started from the bottom, now we here" are the providers I want to work with/care for myself and my family.

My advice? Say nothing unless it organically comes up, but don't feel like you need to lie. Let your light shine by your actions. Believe me, a med student/resident who knows how to: talk to a patient; quickly and efficiently complete tasks; doesn't shy away from a simple patient ADL-assist request etc. will only serve you well.

A huge congratulations to you and all of your hard work. Nursing will miss you, but medicine needs more physicians with your background!

2 Votes
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO, I wouldn't volunteer it, but I wouldn't deny it if it came up. I'd keep those cards close to my vest and see how things go first. Like others--and the Doors--have implied, people are strange. You being an RN/now medical student could be seen as anything from no big deal to a point of contention.

When my aunt passed away, my uncle married an RN-turned-MD. She's a pretty awesome lady. Unfortunately, we never had many chances to get together, and once my uncle died, she moved back east and we lost touch.

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I couldn’t tell you 1 personal detail of a single med student I’ve ever met. Maybe the med schools where I’ve worked have kept med students and nursing pretty much separate, but that’s my experience. They’re people i would see sometimes. Not at all like the relationships you develop with residents. I’m not sure why you would be close enough to any nurses to discuss your personal life. In your residency? Sure. That’s something that’ll come up when you’re night float one month.

As a med student, i don’t think it’ll fly well on the floors. I can just see so many nurses wanting to trip someone like you up. I’d personally keep it tight to the chest until my residency as well. Even more so from other med students. Med school is highly competitive, and i do have long time friends in it and who have since graduated and are now docs I can see your however many years of clinical experience and knowledge making some people mad.

Congrats to you. This is no easy feat! Just to be accepted is huge! Best of luck in your journey!

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It's not that big of a deal. You're also years away from rotations. Like someone else said previously, just show them how good you are by your actions and anticipate the needs of the nursing/ancillary staff.

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