Upskilling from RN to Doctor...thoughts?

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I'm currently a Year 2 nursing student who is due to graduate next year.

I have decided that i would like to continue my studies in the medical area by attending Med School, after completing my Post Graduate year.

Has anyone on here done this before? Upskilled to become a doctor after training to be a nurse? If so, how did you find it?

Here in New Zealand, it is a 7 year degree. I have talked to the head of the Med School and on the basis that i acheive a B+ average over the 3 years [i'm currently on A-] then i can possibly take 1-2 years off the degree.

I dont want to give up my dream of nursing as it has always been a passion of mine but i've been told that at 19 years old, if i want to continue my studies into that field, to go for it while i'm young.

Thoughts? Am i absolutly crazy?

I have had nothing but positive feedback and encourangement from those i have talked to about this idea, would be interested to hear thoughts from RN's worldwide.

=)

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They are two different professions in the same field. The philosophies are different, but in the end you have the same goal. THere are areas of nursing where you can practice at an advanced level. You are not an MD, but your level of responsibility in decision making in patient care is much higher. Think about what role you want to play in that care, what your personal goals are and how your personality fits in.

THe best physician I was ever a patient of was first a nurse. She had a diffferent approach -- much more hands on and holisitic -- than other MDs I had seen. You can combine nursing in to your medical practice if you like. Good luck in making your decision!

I'm currently a Year 2 nursing student who is due to graduate next year.

I have decided that i would like to continue my studies in the medical area by attending Med School, after completing my Post Graduate year.

Has anyone on here done this before? Upskilled to become a doctor after training to be a nurse? If so, how did you find it?

Here in New Zealand, it is a 7 year degree. I have talked to the head of the Med School and on the basis that i acheive a B+ average over the 3 years [i'm currently on A-] then i can possibly take 1-2 years off the degree.

I dont want to give up my dream of nursing as it has always been a passion of mine but i've been told that at 19 years old, if i want to continue my studies into that field, to go for it while i'm young.

Thoughts? Am i absolutly crazy?

I have had nothing but positive feedback and encourangement from those i have talked to about this idea, would be interested to hear thoughts from RN's worldwide.

=)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

THe best physician I was ever a patient of was first a nurse. She had a diffferent approach -- much more hands on and holisitic -- than other MDs I had seen. You can combine nursing in to your medical practice if you like. Good luck in making your decision!

Me too! My OB/Gyn was a Nurse Practitioner before becoming an MD.

She is awesome, really takes her time to answer questions and

very holisitic in her approach. Its a personal decision, so best of

luck in whatever path you choose!:balloons:

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thats very nice... but you know in our country doctors became nurses..

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thats very nice... but you know in our country doctors became nurses..
Touche'

...but that's because they can come to the US as a nurse and make 20 times more money to support themselves and their familes back home! :lol2:

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I'm currently a Year 2 nursing student who is due to graduate next year.

...

=)

Hello,

First I wanted to change the title from upskill to different skill as you will no doubt experience yourself once you gain your nursing skills. Nursing and doctoring are not the same and they are different worlds which do overlap.

I know two doctors who were former nurses and while I never knew them as nurses I thought they were the BEST doctors I have ever met!! They are also two of the very people who re-sparked my desire to complete my nursing and potentially follow it with further education. Before I met these two doctor/former nurses I thought that medicine and being a doctor held no interest for me since what I experienced working with other doctors.

These two nurses brought a new dedication to being a doctor that is the only way I could ever envision becoming a doctor.

All the best,

A student nurse,

Gen

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

My childrens Ped was an RN before going to medical school at the age of 45 and she is the BEST Ped I have ever met! Her nursing background was a definate plus. She only applied to one medical school and got accepted right away.

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

Yeah, I agree with Gennaver about the misuse of the word "upskill." "Switching careers" or "switching fields" is better, as there are already too many stereotypes as nurses being halfway, less intelligent doctors.

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Apologies, didnt mean the term "upskill" to be taken in that content.

What i meant was excatly what you said, a change of profession.

:)

Thanks for your thoughts.

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thats very nice... but you know in our country doctors became nurses..

*confused*

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*confused*

Some Filipino doctors train to become nurses because they can immigrate to the US and work. It is much harder for them to do that as doctors.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Have you considered becoming an advanced practice nurse? I've thought about med school but I really like the nursing approach to health care so if I do go on (and I plan to) it will be to become a Nurse Practioner or something else to do with nursing. I would suggest that you really look at what is the philosophy of each profession before you decide on one or the other. They really are quite different and you may find that you "fit" with one of them better than the other. Good luck!

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