calduson
New Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2020
- Messages
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Hi,
I am currently an RN (been working almost 2 years now) thinking about eventually going back to school for either PA or MD/DO. I know the next step for an RN would generally be NP, but I honestly don't think that is the right track for me. The nursing model is great - I like the holistic approach to patient care, but I want to know more and why we do what we do. Why are we giving beta blockers for patients heart failure? Why amiodarone or calcium channel blockers for AFib? What are we going to do with patients who are coming in with history of black, tarry stools for the past few days and has a Hgb of 6.8? I know as an NP, I can still diagnose and prescribe, but after going through nursing school, I personally don't feel like the nursing model will adequately equip me with the knowledge I would need to safely work as a provider. I know there are many great NPs out there who are amazing at their job, but I am the type of person who needs that extra education to feel more confident in my job. There's just not enough science in the nursing courses to be honest.
My question is, which would be the better track or the more realistic one for me - PA or MD/DO? PA programs are shorter and cheaper, but if I was going to spend three years going back to school, should I just go all the way and try for med school? I am 29 years old, so is medical school even a realistic option for me? I have no prerequisites done for both programs (except for UC Davis, which doesn't require the more rigorous science courses), so I'd have to spend about 2 years taking the prerequisites (hopefully get into a postbacc?) and take the MCAT and then apply. By the time I become a full-fledged attending, I'll probably be in my 40s and $200K+ in debt. Financially, PA would be a better and more feasible option, but I'm afraid I'd be plagued by the what-ifs if I never try for med school. I grew up poor, never having much, so the thought of being in my 30s-40s as a resident making $50-60k and paying off debts sounds daunting, but manageable for me. I just want to be happy and satisfied in my career choice. Is it worth it to try to pursue med school at all? Will I be happier as a PA or MD/DO? I guess that's the question I really need to ask myself, but gaining different perspectives on my situation would also be really helpful.
Just a little background on me:
BA Economics, Ethnic Studies Minor from UC Berkeley - 3.64
BSN from Duke University School of Nursing - 3.86
Medical mission trip where we provided primary and emergency care to the very remote villages of Vietnam in 2014
No research experience
No recent volunteer experiences
No leadership experience
Looking at those stats, I feel like I have no chance of medical school at all anyway, so I'd appreciate if you were all just brutally honest with me and tell me if my medical school dreams are futile.
I am currently an RN (been working almost 2 years now) thinking about eventually going back to school for either PA or MD/DO. I know the next step for an RN would generally be NP, but I honestly don't think that is the right track for me. The nursing model is great - I like the holistic approach to patient care, but I want to know more and why we do what we do. Why are we giving beta blockers for patients heart failure? Why amiodarone or calcium channel blockers for AFib? What are we going to do with patients who are coming in with history of black, tarry stools for the past few days and has a Hgb of 6.8? I know as an NP, I can still diagnose and prescribe, but after going through nursing school, I personally don't feel like the nursing model will adequately equip me with the knowledge I would need to safely work as a provider. I know there are many great NPs out there who are amazing at their job, but I am the type of person who needs that extra education to feel more confident in my job. There's just not enough science in the nursing courses to be honest.
My question is, which would be the better track or the more realistic one for me - PA or MD/DO? PA programs are shorter and cheaper, but if I was going to spend three years going back to school, should I just go all the way and try for med school? I am 29 years old, so is medical school even a realistic option for me? I have no prerequisites done for both programs (except for UC Davis, which doesn't require the more rigorous science courses), so I'd have to spend about 2 years taking the prerequisites (hopefully get into a postbacc?) and take the MCAT and then apply. By the time I become a full-fledged attending, I'll probably be in my 40s and $200K+ in debt. Financially, PA would be a better and more feasible option, but I'm afraid I'd be plagued by the what-ifs if I never try for med school. I grew up poor, never having much, so the thought of being in my 30s-40s as a resident making $50-60k and paying off debts sounds daunting, but manageable for me. I just want to be happy and satisfied in my career choice. Is it worth it to try to pursue med school at all? Will I be happier as a PA or MD/DO? I guess that's the question I really need to ask myself, but gaining different perspectives on my situation would also be really helpful.
Just a little background on me:
BA Economics, Ethnic Studies Minor from UC Berkeley - 3.64
BSN from Duke University School of Nursing - 3.86
Medical mission trip where we provided primary and emergency care to the very remote villages of Vietnam in 2014
No research experience
No recent volunteer experiences
No leadership experience
Looking at those stats, I feel like I have no chance of medical school at all anyway, so I'd appreciate if you were all just brutally honest with me and tell me if my medical school dreams are futile.