Shadowing for M.D

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Hi everyone,

I had a question regarding one of the opportunities that is in my way and I was contemplating whether I should go for it or not. I am currently a Physiology (BS) candidate for June 2013 and I am applying for my MSN for Fall 2013. My goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in PMH and eventually go for DNP.

I have a wonderful opportunity of shadowing a doctor (oncologist) at a private practice and I was wondering if I should shadow a M.D or not. I am not too sure if I should shadow a doctor since it is not exactly an experience that would help the colleges see what I have done to develop a realistic picture of the practice I have chosen. Or should I still go for it since its a clinician at a healthcare setting??

Comments are appreciated!! :)

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Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.

I'm confused...it appears that you'll be graduating with a BS degree...not a BSN. It appears, therefore, you are trying to apply to an MSN program without having being an RN...is this correct?

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Specializes in nursing education.

If someone is offering you the opportunity to shadow, and you are interested, by all means do it. I am confused why this is a problem? Also, why would you put shadowing on a college application?

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Yes I am graduating with a BS. Hence, I am applying for my MSN (Direct Entry for Non Nurses/Non RNs). The reason I am confused is because I am planning to apply for UIC GEP 2014 Spring semester (for which the application is due March 2013) and as a personal statement prompt it asks me what I have done to develop a realistic picture of the practice I chose.

My boyfriend told me not to shadow for a M.D. because thats not the practice that I am going for. He's been through the med school interviewing process and he told me they will ask why I shadowed a M.D when I could have perfectly well shadowed a nurse. But the reason I wanted to include the shadowing in my application is because I want to be a healthcare clinician (M.D or NP). Sure, it may not be the speciality (oncology) or the type of degree (M.D) I am going for, but getting familiar with a private practice, the patients and the environment could look good on an application.

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Yes I am graduating with a BS. Hence, I am applying for my MSN (Direct Entry for Non Nurses/Non RNs). The reason I am confused is because I am planning to apply for UIC GEP 2014 Spring semester (for which the application is due March 2013) and as a personal statement prompt it asks me what I have done to develop a realistic picture of the practice I chose.

My boyfriend told me not to shadow for a M.D. because thats not the practice that I am going for. He's been through the med school interviewing process and he told me they will ask why I shadowed a M.D when I could have perfectly well shadowed a nurse. But the reason I wanted to include the shadowing in my application is because I want to be a healthcare clinician (M.D or NP). Sure, it may not be the speciality (oncology) or the type of degree (M.D) I am going for, but getting familiar with a private practice, the patients and the environment could look good on an application.

The best thing you can do is volunteer work. Through that you could connect with different floors and shadow nurses there. Shadowing a doctor won't make your application "look good", but it might make it seem like you are trying to use that as a way to make it look good. Is shadowing a doctor for a day going to help you explain your realistic picture when you already know you want to be a nurse?

The program is an MS in Nursing, not an MSN. It's a legality for I believe all of the general entry programs out there. If you may want to be a doctor, why are you choosing nursing? Same field, big difference. They will look at every part of your resume and experience, but of your plans don't align with what the program goals are, and you don't have the credentials to back up what you're saying, then don't. If you do, then okay.. but then they will assume your true goal is to be an MD.

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Why don't you use this experience to figure out what you want to do. Use it as a learning experience for yourself. It is not a 'box to check off' for a graduate application.

If you decide that medicine is not for you, then seek out an experience with a RN and learn if that role is more to your goals and aspirations.

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Thanks for the comments.

I found a nurse practitioner to shadow from with the help of that M.D I was going to shadow. And @UVA you're right, It's all a part of my learning process. I asked the doctor if she knew any nurse practitioners that are willing to have me to shadow them and I found one! I will obviously be shadowing the NP more than just a day.

@Hold: Thanks for your feedback :)

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