Making the leap from registered nurse (RN) to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Whether you want to increase your earning potential or expand your area of expertise, changing careers in the medical field is possible.
You’ll have a lot of factors to consider before deciding to take the plunge, and the transition isn’t for everyone. However, driven nursing professionals can become excellent doctors. Once you figure out the logistics, you’ll be on the path to your new career.
Why Consider a Transition From Nurse to Medical Doctor?
While many nurses are fulfilled in their careers, they may consider other ways to advance in the medical field. After time on the front lines, you might find you aren’t where you’d like to be professionally or realize you would prefer to take a more active role in forming treatment plans for your patients.
This, along with the added benefits to your patients, could cause you to consider transitioning from RN to MD. Your existing experience can give you a leg up in the field and allow you to approach patient care from a unique perspective. By expanding your skill set and knowledge base, you can provide high-quality, well-rounded care on a whole new level.
If you choose this route, know that you’re not alone. Many people, nurses or not, decide to become doctors later in life. It’s not only possible, but it’s also fulfilling and rewarding for the right candidate.
Steps to Transition From RN to MD
Before you can make this leap, you must go through the same process as every other student to earn the distinction of MD. However, certain factors, including your existing education level and desired specialty, can affect how long it will take to go from nurse to MD.
Earn an Undergraduate Degree
To become an RN, you likely earned an associate degree or your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Before you can apply to medical school, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree if you don’t already have one.
Many schools offer a premed track to streamline the process for traditional students committed to becoming doctors. However, if you earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then you’re already on the right track. In fact, your four-year nursing degree likely included most of the science courses required for med school.
Reading through the typical medical school prerequisites can help you determine which courses you might be missing.
Take the MCAT
Next, you’ll need to take the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) within three years of applying to medical school.
The MCAT is a computer-based standardized exam that assesses your understanding of the scientific principles you learned in college, as well as your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many traditional students take it during the last semester of undergrad after spending months studying.
Attend and Complete Medical School
Once you’ve successfully passed the MCAT, you can apply for medical school. The first two years are based in the classroom, where you’ll take intensive classes in basic sciences. The final two years are devoted to clinical rotations in the field.
During medical school, you’ll also begin the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). You’ll take Step 1 after your second year of medical school and Step 2 CK at the beginning of your fourth year. You technically have until you finish your first year of residency to take USMLE Step 3, but you can also take it right after completing your MD program.
Complete a Residency
The final step is completing your residency. During this time, you’ll gain hands-on experience in your new role and hone your skills as a doctor.
Matching with a residency program can be stressful, but the end results are worth it. You’ll go through an application process, followed by several rounds of interviews, and then rank your top picks. The programs you apply to also rank their choices of prospective doctors. A computer system uses an algorithm to match residents with residency programs.
Depending on your specialty, residency can last two to four years. Certain specializations require an additional fellowship program that takes several more years. Once you complete your residency, you can take the final USMLE exam, as well as any necessary state licensing exams, and start practicing medicine!
Time and Cost Considerations
Despite the experience you’ve gained as a nurse, it will take at least seven years to become a doctor. Of course, whether or not it’s worth it to go from RN to MD depends on your reasons for transitioning, financial constraints, and other factors.
Fortunately, for those who apply and qualify, have plenty of resources to help you pay for medical school, including financial aid and scholarships.
You’ll also need to consider how you’ll balance work and study commitments during the process. Remember, you won’t start earning a paycheck until you start your residency unless you maintain a separate job while you’re in school.
The Importance of Clinical Experience
The hands-on experience you’ve gained as a nurse can give you a leg up throughout your medical school clinical rotations and your residency after graduation. Your nursing experience has already made you comfortable caring for patients, multitasking in healthcare settings, and working as part of a medical team. You’re well aware of the stressors that come with the profession, and know how to maintain your composure while providing the best possible care to patients under a broad range of circumstances. Additionally, you have a more in-depth understanding of how the healthcare system works, so you can navigate it more effectively as a physician.
The most important thing your clinical experience has offered you is insight into the human side of medicine. You’ve formed connections with patients and their families, as well as their witnessed how illnesses and disease actually impacts their lives. You’ve seen the difference medical teams can make on patients in need, and know how to connect with your patients on a deeper level.
Your unique perspective as a nurse can help shape your approach to patient care as a physician. Additionally, you might find that the relationships you built in the medical field while working as a nurse can help open doors to networking opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have. While other up-and-coming MDs struggle to find helpful mentors, you might already have some on standby as an RN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nurses become medical doctors without going to medical school?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to skip medical school despite your existing knowledge and experience. Doctors must first complete med school and earn their medical license to legally practice in the United States. However, your experience as an RN can better prepare you for the realities you’ll face as a doctor.
What are the typical admission requirements for medical school as a nurse?
An RN must meet the same admission requirements as other prospective MDs. A four-year degree is mandatory, but you might need to complete additional science courses before attending medical school.
Being an RN is not an admissions requirement for American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC)”s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. We do require you to have a strong scientific background and a bachelor’s degree. For a full list of our prerequisite courses, check out our admissions requirements.
How can nurses maintain their nursing credentials while pursuing a medical degree?
Each state has different requirements for nursing credentials. In many cases, you’ll need a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) to renew your license. Depending on your state’s definition of a CEU, it’s possible your academic coursework in medical school will count toward your requirements.
Make the Leap From RN to MD at AUC
Transitioning from RN to MD is no easy feat, but it can be worth it for the right person. AUC offers world-class training in a stunning environment. Contact us today for more information on enrollment!
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