nursing to md schools

The prerequisites you need to complete.

You must complete the following prerequisites in order to apply to our program:

• General Biology with lab
• General Chemistry with lab
• Organic Chemistry with lab
• Physics with lab (calculus-based, not algebra-based)
• English and writing

These prerequisites can be completed at any accredited college or university. We encourage you to begin taking your prerequisite classes as a student at your current nursing school, but a few of these classes may also be available online. You must earn a grade of C or better for each prerequisite class.

Who should apply.

“It’s really important to determine who should apply to the program, and more importantly, who shouldn’t,” said Dr. Miller. “We’ve learned that those interested in these programs tend to be independent learners, so we ask that they consider whether or not they can handle a challenging workload without the typical external motivators like deadlines and exams. An ideal candidate would have a strong interest in primary care and be looking for a route back into medicine as opposed to an alternative career path.”

How many applicants are accepted each year.

Transitioning from a nursing role to a medical doctor role is a relatively new trend. The University of Arkansas for Medical Science’s “Nurses to MD” program began in 2007, and was the first nursing-to-MD program in the country. Since then, similar programs have popped up at schools like the University of Michigan, Rutgers University, and Georgetown University.

These programs are incredibly competitive; they usually only accept 10 students or less per year. That might not sound like many students, but remember that some programs only accept applicants who are already working as registered nurses (Rn’s). So if you’re applying to one of these selective programs after years of experience in a medical setting, most likely you’ll be competing against other highly qualified applicants.

When to apply.

The application cycle for most MD and PhD programs begins in June and ends in September. The average time it takes to complete an application is 4-6 months, however, you should plan to work on your application for a full year.

The earlier you begin the process, the more time you will have to maximize your chances of success by preparing for interviews and ensuring that your letters of recommendation are well-written. Planning ahead also allows time to retake exams if necessary.

What the application process is like.

The application process for medical school is not only lengthy, but also expensive and very competitive. The first step to becoming a practicing physician is to graduate from high school. After graduation, you must complete college and earn a bachelor’s degree to apply to medical schools. It is recommended that you take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before applying to medical schools.

The applicant should then submit an application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) where they will be required to submit transcripts, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, work experience letters and a personal statement.

What the medical school curriculum will be like.

Although nursing and medical school are both rigorous, there are important differences you should be aware of before pursuing a career as a physician.

• The medical school curriculum is longer than the nursing school curriculum.

Nursing school typically lasts four years while doctor education lasts eight, or nine if you include an apprenticeship.

• The medical school curriculum is more biology-focused than the nursing school curriculum. As a nurse, you will have to understand the human body, but your training won’t go into depth on cellular biology and other complex topics that doctors learn about in detail.
• The medical school curriculum is more clinical than the nursing school curriculum. Doctors spend four years performing rotations in various specialties prior to residency, whereas nurses receive less supervised practice during their schooling.

There is a lot to consider when deciding whether to apply for nursing to MD programs.

• You must be a registered nurse.
• You must have a bachelor’s degree.
• You must have at least two years of experience in direct patient care as an RN prior to applying for the MD program.
• Your undergraduate GPA should be 3.2 or higher, depending on the school. Although most schools do not require your bachelor’s degree to be from science, it is strongly recommended that you apply with one since it will give you a better chance overall, especially if your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.2.
• Like any traditional medical school application, you need letters of recommendation and strong MCAT scores (typically 500 or higher).