Jessamine
If I get a BNS and later decide to become a doctor, how difficult would the transition be?
I'm a high school junior and have not decided whether or not I want to be a nurse or a doctor. #doctor #healthcare #registered-nurses #doctorate-degree #hospital-and-health-care
3 answers
Linda Hassan RN, MS, BSN, CCM
Linda Hassan’s Answer
Dear Jassamine, I am so glad to hear that you've narrowed down to the field of medicine and healthcare. That in itself is a big step. Kudos for you!! I would try to do some legwork up front to determine if you'd like to live the life of a nurse or the life of a doctor. Many hospitals have programs to mentor youth with career decisions. They may have partnerships with your high school. If not, call your local hospital to see how you can help you arrange a job shadow day with a doctor and nurse.
When I was your age in the 80's, I attended a speaker session at a local hospital that was geared for high school age students seeking answers to a career questions. I would try to create opportunity now to help in the decision process for later. It is hard work to become a nurse and to become a doctor. Why go through the grueling process twice? You need to be aware that any discipline in healthcare this is a hard and challenging academic path to go down, but very rewarding at the same time. There are opportunities now days for doctors to work as a freelancer, like a writer, so the lock-down hours are easing up in the marketplace as doctors and nurses value having a life of their own, in addition to being in their profession of choice. Good luck!!
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Nyah C.
Nyah’s Answer
I agree whole-heartedly with Nyah, there are a few courses that separates #premed from #nursing. Specifically, two semesters of organic chemistry, general chemistry, physics and calculus. (Sidebar: Most nursing students are required to complete general chemistry however at some schools it is the course for non-majors or include a general chemistry and a biochemistry course). Contrary to popular belief, being a biology major is not required.
There are plenty of institutions that offer a post-bachelor certificate after completing a bachelors degree and are designed for ppl who want to go to medical school in case you don't want to take these courses.
Nick Collins, MS, CRNP, CNS
Rehana Dharani, CPC
Rehana’s Answer
You will have to take the pre-reqs for Med School, which would be an additional 1 year or 2 on top of BSN to get into med school...If you are wanting to be an MD, going Biology would be a shorter route to MD, but if you want to practice as a RN and then apply to MD school, I have seen people do this as well.