2 answers
2
Questions
Asked
422 views
how to be a doctor/nurse
either I wanna be a nurse or a doctor only because I have family in it and I heard its a good job and ill be happy to major in it #nurse #medicine
Login to comment
2 answers
Updated
Faareha’s Answer
Before I get to your question, I would highly recommend you figure out if it's something you'd be really interested in. Hearing from other people about their experience doesn't mean you'll enjoy it the same way. Medical school is expensive but you do well financially in time, so it's really important to figure out if it's for you. Shadow doctors, volunteer in clinics/hospitals, look at the subjects you like, and see if it's really of interest to you.
For context, though I'm an Engineer now because I switched careers, I was pre-med, and I got accepted into some medical schools.
I see you're in California so this answer caters to what I know about the United States.
Typically, you need an undergraduate degree (in anything) but you need to take the necessary prerequisite courses of biology, chemistry, english, etc. You can take the courses in that undergraduate degree or separately. You also need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Then you need to apply to med schools, and as part of the application, you also may need to give references. If your primary application is accepted, schools will have a secondary application. If you move forward from that, you're invited to interview. This is just to get accepted into medical school but to practise as a physician, you need to complete residency & give additional exams.
I'm not sure how old you are, but if you are still a teenager, there are schools in the US with early acceptances - where you can do 1-2 years of undergrad and you transition into a medical degree. It helps to fast track since you avoid having to do 2 years of undergrad and it's a guaranteed transition into medical school.
Also, there are two types of physicians in the US: those who are MDs and those who are DOs. Both have separate schools, separate (but similar) requirements and processes that you'll have to look at.
There's also the career path of a Physician Assistant (PA) if you're interested in healthcare.
For context, though I'm an Engineer now because I switched careers, I was pre-med, and I got accepted into some medical schools.
I see you're in California so this answer caters to what I know about the United States.
Typically, you need an undergraduate degree (in anything) but you need to take the necessary prerequisite courses of biology, chemistry, english, etc. You can take the courses in that undergraduate degree or separately. You also need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Then you need to apply to med schools, and as part of the application, you also may need to give references. If your primary application is accepted, schools will have a secondary application. If you move forward from that, you're invited to interview. This is just to get accepted into medical school but to practise as a physician, you need to complete residency & give additional exams.
I'm not sure how old you are, but if you are still a teenager, there are schools in the US with early acceptances - where you can do 1-2 years of undergrad and you transition into a medical degree. It helps to fast track since you avoid having to do 2 years of undergrad and it's a guaranteed transition into medical school.
Also, there are two types of physicians in the US: those who are MDs and those who are DOs. Both have separate schools, separate (but similar) requirements and processes that you'll have to look at.
There's also the career path of a Physician Assistant (PA) if you're interested in healthcare.
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Hi Gabriel, I appreciate that you have a family who works in medicine. It is a very noble profession, and self fulfilling in that you know you help people all the time. I come from a family where my father was a physician and my mother a nurse. I was always very proud of both of them. My sister followed in their footsteps, but after volunteering at the hospital I was not sure if that field was right for me. I am an engineer. So I hope that if you go into medicine that you like medicine, and not just doing what someone else says you should do. Now onto your question.
There are several positions in nursing and they require different levels of education.
There is Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse - Becoming an LPN/LVN requires completing an accredited practical nursing certificate program, which is usually offered at community colleges and take about a year to complete. Students can expect to take courses in biology, pharmacology, and nursing while also receiving hands-on clinical experiences. You then will have to pass a National Licensure Examination NCLEX-PN.
The there is a Registered Nurse - RN, this is an associates degree in nursing ADN from a college, it takes 2-3 years, then you will need to take the NCLEX-RN
There is Registered Nurse BSRN - This is a 4 year college degree, and beside nursing will mandate liberal studies earning credits towards a bachelors of science in nursing. After which you take a board exam NCLEX-RN
There is a Nurse Practioner - To become an NP, one must be a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program and successfully pass a national NP board certification exam
Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program, along with four years in medical school and three to seven years in a residency program to learn the specialty they chose to pursue. In other words, it takes between 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor. Once you finish your medical education, including your residency program, you need to take an exam for the state you plan to practice medicine in
I hope this helps you. Talk to you family members and see what they like about medicine, and what they don't, Seek advice from your guidance counselor, volunteer at a hospital, or clinic, to see if you like working around ill people. There are lots of jobs that can give you a nice living, and are also in the field of helping people, like social work, counselor, teacher, police officer, fire man, and even engineers as we are all striving to work to make the world a better place.
Good Luck with your future endeavors.
There are several positions in nursing and they require different levels of education.
There is Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse - Becoming an LPN/LVN requires completing an accredited practical nursing certificate program, which is usually offered at community colleges and take about a year to complete. Students can expect to take courses in biology, pharmacology, and nursing while also receiving hands-on clinical experiences. You then will have to pass a National Licensure Examination NCLEX-PN.
The there is a Registered Nurse - RN, this is an associates degree in nursing ADN from a college, it takes 2-3 years, then you will need to take the NCLEX-RN
There is Registered Nurse BSRN - This is a 4 year college degree, and beside nursing will mandate liberal studies earning credits towards a bachelors of science in nursing. After which you take a board exam NCLEX-RN
There is a Nurse Practioner - To become an NP, one must be a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused graduate master's or doctoral nursing program and successfully pass a national NP board certification exam
Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program, along with four years in medical school and three to seven years in a residency program to learn the specialty they chose to pursue. In other words, it takes between 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor. Once you finish your medical education, including your residency program, you need to take an exam for the state you plan to practice medicine in
I hope this helps you. Talk to you family members and see what they like about medicine, and what they don't, Seek advice from your guidance counselor, volunteer at a hospital, or clinic, to see if you like working around ill people. There are lots of jobs that can give you a nice living, and are also in the field of helping people, like social work, counselor, teacher, police officer, fire man, and even engineers as we are all striving to work to make the world a better place.
Good Luck with your future endeavors.