Thinking of dropping Nursing school and doing Pre-Med

[Confusedbeyondbelief]

Hey guys. I'm currently a 2nd year Nursing student and I just wanted to know what your opinions are.

I am currently in a very good nursing program. I did not have to do my pre reqs and then apply for the nursing program, I went straight into a 4 year BSN course. After learning about the Nursing model and actually taking Nursing classes, I just find myself more intrigued by the scientific aspect of patient care (medical model) such as diseases, pathology, physiology than the hollistic model that Nursing is associated with. Everytime I go to one of my Nursing classes, I find that I have no interest in the subject material and although I do decent in my classes I have to really dig to find the motivation. I've already contemplated completing the BSN course, working for a couple of years while completing pre reqs for med school on the side and applying for medical school. However just that statement alone, shows me that I'm just using nursing as a stepping stone to medical school and that alone is a pretty bad path to take if I just wanted to become a doctor. I just feel like, if I do end up becoming a nurse I will really appreciate the job security aspect of it and the decent pay but I'm almost certain that in the back of my mind I will always think what if I at least tried to go to med school instead of settling with this wonderful program that I am already in. I really am confused with everything right now and I was wondering if you guys can shed some light on my situation. Basically I'm thinking of dropping nursing and switching my major on to a pre med track or should I just finish and do what I mentioned before? Thanks guys.

[Chazzie_Made_It, ADN]

Thanks for the reply. I always take into account the fact that I am pretty young and still have a whole life ahead of me. My biggest concern is what if in the future when I'm older and probably too old to go to medical school, I completely regret the years of becoming a nurse.

I have known 4 providers (MDs/DOs) who began med school in their 40s, ne of which was an RN prior to going back to school and another was an EMT and waited until his children finished high school. He is a top notch Emergency Medicine doc and the former nurse was a stellar hospitalist because she built upon her nursing background.

I dont believe it's ever too late if you are mentally and physically capable of getting through school and being a doctor. It's up to you when you want to do it; now or later?

[direw0lf, BSN]

I have known 4 providers (MDs/DOs) who began med school in their 40s, ne of which was an RN prior to going back to school and another was an EMT and waited until his children finished high school. He is a top notch Emergency Medicine doc and the former nurse was a stellar hospitalist because she built upon her nursing background.

I dont believe it's ever too late if you are mentally and physically capable of getting through school and being a doctor. It's up to you when you want to do it; now or later?

Oh agreed!!! My nursing teacher told us about someone who worked as a CNA before med school!! He's now a NYC physician. Talk about inspirational.

[amb218, BSN, RN]

Not sure where you are but at my hospital I am an attending and do the exact same job as a physician.

I wasn't talking about being an attending....as far as I know, NPs and physicians are different and have completely different educational backgrounds. Therefore, they often have very similar but a little different roles in the hospital Also, your comment about choosing medicine over nursing if you have "the smarts and interest" is pretty misleading if you ask me. Everyone in my nursing program could have gone to medical school if they had wanted to. Nursing schhol has a completely different foundation than medical school. As I'm sure you're aware, nurses have to have smarts as well.

[Jules A, MSN]

Changed my mind.

[QuietRiot]

How far along are you in the nursing program?

[amb218, BSN, RN]

I'm not trying to argue at all by the way. I am just a nursing student and you have far more experience than me. Sorry if it seemed that way. I was just talking about my experience.....this is just what I've experienced and been directly told by NPs at the hospital where I work. Also, I do believe that all of the students in the nursing program at the university I attend could be pre-med if they wanted to. Just to give some background, the acceptance rate at the university I attend is 10% out of 37,268 applicants last year. They don't take just anyone haha.

[direw0lf, BSN]

You know what I might go to med school after I'm a nurse for a while. Why not? If you believe you can't then you'll never even reach the door never mind go through.

[elkpark]

I'm not trying to argue at all by the way. I am just a nursing student and you have far more experience than me. Sorry if it seemed that way. I was just talking about my experience.....this is just what I've experienced and been directly told by NPs at the hospital where I work. Also, I do believe that all of the students in the nursing program at the university I attend could be pre-med if they wanted to. Just to give some background, the acceptance rate at the university I attend is 10% out of 37,268 applicants last year. They don't take just anyone haha.

Earlier you said that everyone in your nursing program "could have gone to med school if they wanted to." Now you're saying everyone in the program "could be pre-med if they wanted to." The latter you're actually correct about; anyone who gets accepted to your university can be a pre-med major if s/he wants. However, that's v. different from actually getting accepted into medical school.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Becoming a physician will be pretty much all you do for the next 7 years if you choose that path.

The physicians I know spent their 20's becoming physicians. The rest of their lives revolve around their position as a physician. Getting married, having kids, choosing where to live, all these things are secondary to the career. The career demands this kind of commitment. This is the most important factor for you to consider.

If you are the type of person that dreams of a future in the hospital or office, that thinks mostly or solely about your career, then being a physician might be for you. If you dream of having four children, going to Disney, camping by the lake, family dinners, school performances, being a physician might make you miserable.

But either way, It doesn't seem like you are that interested in nursing. There are more than two choices here.

[Dranger]

I think the Medical University of South Carolina will accept a BSN with no other pre-reqs, meaning you can finish your BSN and apply for acceptance to that med school. You should check it out.

Source? I can't find it on their site.

As someone who has taken the med school pre-reqs, even if they were waived you would still have to take the MCAT which would be near impossible to succeed in without having a class background.

Obviously there are a few people out there who could do it by self-study but it is very very hard.

[Dranger]

Whoever is suggesting to the OP to the NP is being kind of insulting, as if being an NP is a backup plan if you can't be an MD. "You probably won't get into medical school so just be an NP." However, suggesting that they should just be a PA instead makes sense. I am also suggesting going to be a DO or whatever, I think I read somewhere that it's more doable than being an MD, correct me if I'm wrong.

DO has same requirements albeit slightly lower MCAT averages for acceptance. It is still med school and very selective for entry.

[blaquebsnkiss😘]

I say go for it if that's where your heart is but get your nursing license first. U already made it this far! I work in critical care on a vent unit on 12 hour shifts and never ever get out on time. Nursing is all about continuing education so either way u will find yourself learning. So if your hand is steady go for it! I work for a pulmonary physician that was once a nurse!! He states that he was glad he was a nurse first because u get a better understanding of the holistic care. Good Luck[emoji5]️