Want to be a nurse. But.....(pre-med? Nursing?)

Coloradogrl · Aug 21, 2009

I BSN-RN you will be able to work as a RN after you pass then NCLEX

BrittanyLeigh · Aug 21, 2009

I don't get it.

lavendersapphire · Aug 21, 2009

I was the premed route during undergrad (my degree was a BS in Criminal Justice and I was taking the premed classes on the side). Pretty much it just went one step further than the nursing prereqs. For example, the nursing programs I'm applying to require: general biology I and II or general chemistry I and II, a&p I and II, abnormal psych and/or human development, and microbiology.

The premed route had me take: general bio 1 and 2, general chem 1 and 2, physics 1 (didn't take 2), molecular biology (biochem), a&p 1 and 2, abnormal psych, and human development psych. If I didnt graduate early I would've added organic chemistry 1 and 2. So it just adds more science classes and if your school was anything like mine, there was one set of science classes for the science/premed students (it was mainly premed/physics/chemistry/biology majors, not really any nursing students, never understood that one), and another set for the general requirement.

neuro35411 · Aug 21, 2009

You can go for a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). Pre-med, I thought, was for medical doctors. Most hospitals are going to require a BSN as opposed to the Associates in Nursing (ASN) which is usually a 2-year program. After your BSN, you can continue to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in which you can become a Nurse Practictioner - independent like a medical doctor. Have you chosen a school? Call the school and ask to speak with a nursing academic advisor and they will be able to give you all the information you need to make your choices.

I hope this helps!

knittingknurse · Aug 21, 2009

Some people in the general public have the idea that "smart" students should to med school and may discourage you from pursuing a career in nursing because they don't understand that nursing can take you as far as you want to go. Is this possibly the case for your teacher?

The degree you would get to go directly into nursing from a 4-year college is a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). Other BS (Bachelors of Science) degrees include areas like Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, etc. A Pre-Med program is designed for a student intending to go to medical school, but many of the pre-med classes may be the same ones required for a BSN, depending on your college.

Good luck to you! :prdnrs:

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 21, 2009

What does you high school teacher know about health career careers???!!!! High school teachers are not in the health care professions and most know very little about it. Many people mistakenly believe that "smart people become physicians and not-so-smart people become nurses." That's not true. A lot of physicians have told me that they wish they had become nurses instead, but they had been pushed by family and friends to become a physician because physicians make more money and have more prestige.

It you want to be a nurse ... research the various options for nursing education. The "top of the line" programs are 4-year Bachelor's Degrees awarded by universities -- just like other university degrees. In many cases, if you choose your elective courses right as you get your BSN, you will be eligible to apply for medical school. You can also become a nurse with a 2-year Associates Degree. Those nurses get the same jobs as the Bachelor's prepared nurses at the beginning of their careers, but they have fewer opportunities for career advancement and positions with higher responsibility and higher pay.

After getting you entry-level degree in nursing and becoming a basic-level nurse .... you can choose to go to graduate school for a Master's or Doctoral degree and be eligible for advanced nursing positions that focus on advanced clinical practice, nursing education, or nursing administration. Most of the general public doesn't know much about those aspects of nursing. Your high school teacher may be one of those people who doesn't know much about that.

In short ... "Consider the source" of any information that you get. Talk to people who are experts in nursing. Talk with your Guidance Counselor (or whoever it is at your school who knows about college options and career counseling.) Talk with nurses. Browse this website and read about the different options in nursing. Visit and talk with the nursing schools in your local area. etc. etc. etc. Then make the decision about your career path and your educational plans that is best for you.

Don't let one high school teacher who is NOT an expert in health care careers have too much influence over you. Get information from a variety of sources -- preferably from sources who have expertise in health care careers.

wyotech · Aug 21, 2009

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

said it perfectly. get more advice. chose your courses right, and be a RN making good $ in 2 yrs,and continue education towards a medical degree in a higher bracket.

lightsnoise · Aug 21, 2009

Pre-med is going to require one year of general chem, one year of organic chem, one year of physics, one year of general biology, all of the calcusus courses, a linear alegbra course...and of course those are just the pre-reqs. You also need a B.A/B.S. in something like chemistry, biology, biochem, etc....

mmihalko · Aug 21, 2009

Nursing and medicine are two very different professions. If you want to be a nurse go to college for a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. I was pre-med when I thought I wanted to be an MD, when I realized that what I wanted to be was a nurse, I switched majors, but I had to take Organic Chemistry nd Microbiology again (different classes, no one could tell me why). I made that change 25 years ago and I have no regrets

snobrdrblinkchik · Aug 21, 2009

You also need a B.A/B.S. in something like chemistry, biology, biochem, etc....

You actually don't NEED a BS in any specific program. All you need is a degree, pass the MCATs with a good score, and the pre-med stuff you mentioned. Of course, having a Bachelors in chemistry,bio,biochem, etc will help in preparing you to take the MCATs, HOWEVER I've read that many med schools prefer to see non-science degrees cuz it proves you're an all-around student (especially if you can pass the MCATs with a History degree or something..lol) and it helps you stick out as a candidate.

So technically you could go to school and get a BSN and then try the MCATs...

BrittanyLeigh · Aug 22, 2009

Thank you all for your answers. They all really helped me.

My teacher got her pre-med but she didn't continue further in her career because she wanted to take care of her children, and teaching helped her do that. She told me that I might as well get pre-med "just in case"..

Anyway.. I 'm thinking of just going straight to my BSN, at first I Was going to get my ADN but I might as well just go straight for it. I have the ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA.

Thanks to you all. I have some years ahead of me ._.