6 answers
Jasper
Student
Lincoln Park
1
Question
Updated
370 views
starting from an young age what is the best way to become a doctor or nurse?
I am confused on where to start because I can’t find anything that is solid information on how/where I could start my medical career very early in life.
Login to comment
6 answers
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hi, Jasper! Great question. There is a large difference between the training for nurses versus doctors.
1. Complete high school (since I don't know what level you are at, we are starting here). Especially for nursing, you want to do well in your classes. Some high schools have a medical-specific track that is offered to students in their senior year.
2. For nursing: you can either hop right into an LPN (licensed practical nurse) program at your local community college/trade school or apply for nursing school. Most RNs (registered nurses) actually have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. There may be some prerequisites for getting into nursing school. If you can, try to take biology, chemistry, and physiology/anatomy classes in high school. Unfortunately, that's all I know for nursing.
(Below is for medical school.)
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree. Some people opt for a Master's degree such as in Public Health but it is not required.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test). Your college may be able to help you with some test prep here!
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can be physicians).
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.
8. Apply for and attend the residency - another few years of training depending on specialty. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) Thankfully, residency is actually a paid position.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
1. Complete high school (since I don't know what level you are at, we are starting here). Especially for nursing, you want to do well in your classes. Some high schools have a medical-specific track that is offered to students in their senior year.
2. For nursing: you can either hop right into an LPN (licensed practical nurse) program at your local community college/trade school or apply for nursing school. Most RNs (registered nurses) actually have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. There may be some prerequisites for getting into nursing school. If you can, try to take biology, chemistry, and physiology/anatomy classes in high school. Unfortunately, that's all I know for nursing.
(Below is for medical school.)
2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)
3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.
4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree. Some people opt for a Master's degree such as in Public Health but it is not required.
5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test). Your college may be able to help you with some test prep here!
6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can be physicians).
7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.
8. Apply for and attend the residency - another few years of training depending on specialty. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) Thankfully, residency is actually a paid position.
GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Annie Gronlund
12
Answers
Updated
Annie’s Answer
Hi Jasper,
To pursue a career in nursing, you'll need to attend college. There are two main pathways:
1. Obtain a Bachelor's in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN), which is a 4-year program.
or
2. Earn an associate degree in nursing to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), which takes 2 years.
Nowadays, obtaining a bachelor's degree is more popular since most hospitals prefer hiring RNs. After completing your studies, you'll need to pass a test called the NCLEX to receive your nursing license. It's similar to the SATs, but for nursing.
Whether you choose nursing or the doctor route (as Fred mentioned earlier), your first step is to enroll in a nursing or premed program at a university or college. While in high school, focus on excelling in your science classes. Take AP science courses and maintain good grades. Gaining early exposure to the medical field will benefit your future career and allow you to work closely with nurses and doctors, helping you understand the profession better. Volunteering is an excellent way to achieve this. Reach out to your local hospital, nursing home, retirement community, Red Cross, or local charity for volunteer opportunities. Engage with your community and conduct informational interviews with people who have interesting medical careers. Prepare a list of questions to ask them during the interviews. These experiences can be included in your resume, college application, or college essay.
After finishing high school, you can apply for hospital jobs like a nursing assistant (which usually requires a license, taking about 6 weeks to obtain in most states).
I hope this information is helpful! Best of luck!
To pursue a career in nursing, you'll need to attend college. There are two main pathways:
1. Obtain a Bachelor's in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN), which is a 4-year program.
or
2. Earn an associate degree in nursing to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), which takes 2 years.
Nowadays, obtaining a bachelor's degree is more popular since most hospitals prefer hiring RNs. After completing your studies, you'll need to pass a test called the NCLEX to receive your nursing license. It's similar to the SATs, but for nursing.
Whether you choose nursing or the doctor route (as Fred mentioned earlier), your first step is to enroll in a nursing or premed program at a university or college. While in high school, focus on excelling in your science classes. Take AP science courses and maintain good grades. Gaining early exposure to the medical field will benefit your future career and allow you to work closely with nurses and doctors, helping you understand the profession better. Volunteering is an excellent way to achieve this. Reach out to your local hospital, nursing home, retirement community, Red Cross, or local charity for volunteer opportunities. Engage with your community and conduct informational interviews with people who have interesting medical careers. Prepare a list of questions to ask them during the interviews. These experiences can be included in your resume, college application, or college essay.
After finishing high school, you can apply for hospital jobs like a nursing assistant (which usually requires a license, taking about 6 weeks to obtain in most states).
I hope this information is helpful! Best of luck!
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
392
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
Health care is a pretty tightly regulated industry, for obvious reasons. Becoming a doctor or nurse requires a lot of school. To be a doctor you must:
Graduate high school (or get an equivalency degree)
Get a bachelors from a college/university
Go to medical school
do your residency and/or fellowships
pass the boards
I don't know as much about nursing, but again, high school and college are a minimum. You can get bachelors in nursing, but there are different levels of nursing with different requirements. LPN, NP, RN, etc.
Graduate high school (or get an equivalency degree)
Get a bachelors from a college/university
Go to medical school
do your residency and/or fellowships
pass the boards
I don't know as much about nursing, but again, high school and college are a minimum. You can get bachelors in nursing, but there are different levels of nursing with different requirements. LPN, NP, RN, etc.
Saiba Kapoor
Recruiter
5
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Saiba’s Answer
Hi Jasper
Good question. the best way to start your career in medicine is to take the relevant courses/subjects in your school for being a doctor example biology/science etc. And then go to getting a graduation in a medical school. Relevant education and training is most important for being a doctor. It requires a lot of dedication and studying. I have a lot of doctor friends and they all made sure they had the relevant education in school as well as medical college to get into this path, Join some technical courses as well. Read about medical career. Speak to people/relatives who are in medical field who can provide more guidance! Even to become a nurse, you need to do trainings at a nursing institute. Nurses and Doctors professions are very rewarding. All the very best to you!! You'll do great!
Good question. the best way to start your career in medicine is to take the relevant courses/subjects in your school for being a doctor example biology/science etc. And then go to getting a graduation in a medical school. Relevant education and training is most important for being a doctor. It requires a lot of dedication and studying. I have a lot of doctor friends and they all made sure they had the relevant education in school as well as medical college to get into this path, Join some technical courses as well. Read about medical career. Speak to people/relatives who are in medical field who can provide more guidance! Even to become a nurse, you need to do trainings at a nursing institute. Nurses and Doctors professions are very rewarding. All the very best to you!! You'll do great!
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
75
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
Jasper - I will focus on nursing as that is my particular area of expertise. Not knowing where you are in your education, I will make this response more general.
If you're in high school currently, then taking classes like biology and chemistry will be helpful. In addition, having a good level of comfort with algebra and solving equations is also very important as there will always be medication doses to calculate, and while we do these calculations manually less and less, you will still need to be able to do them manually.
After high school, there are a couple options for school / education for registered nurses. The 2 RN paths are a 2-year associate degree (ADN) or the 4-year bachelor degree (BSN). Both will allow you to sit for the licensing test and become an RN upon completion. There is an LPN path as well, but the LPN has some limitations clinically and they are most often used in nursing homes or long term care facilities as a result. RN's are most sought after for direct clinical care in hospitals.
The ADN route is the fastest way to obtain an RN license and is the most cost effective option. Most ADN programs are offered through community colleges and the cost difference between these programs and any from a private college can be significant. The ADN in no way limits the holder clinically speaking. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years and I have never seen the shortages in nursing we have right now in the US. That means RN's are being hired in almost all places and areas so long as they hold a valid license because the need is significant. Additionally, many states offer free tuition for residents who want to attend their state community college system. It's worth looking to see what your state offers as a 2-year RN degree might well be covered and leave you with very little to pay on your own.
A BSN is nice, but it can be expensive and it's not necessary to start working as an RN. If you want to continue your education and obtain your BSN down the road because you'd like to be in management / leadership, go into research, or consider becoming a nurse practitioner, many employers will help with tuition reimbursement, so that's something to consider.
Best of luck to you.
If you're in high school currently, then taking classes like biology and chemistry will be helpful. In addition, having a good level of comfort with algebra and solving equations is also very important as there will always be medication doses to calculate, and while we do these calculations manually less and less, you will still need to be able to do them manually.
After high school, there are a couple options for school / education for registered nurses. The 2 RN paths are a 2-year associate degree (ADN) or the 4-year bachelor degree (BSN). Both will allow you to sit for the licensing test and become an RN upon completion. There is an LPN path as well, but the LPN has some limitations clinically and they are most often used in nursing homes or long term care facilities as a result. RN's are most sought after for direct clinical care in hospitals.
The ADN route is the fastest way to obtain an RN license and is the most cost effective option. Most ADN programs are offered through community colleges and the cost difference between these programs and any from a private college can be significant. The ADN in no way limits the holder clinically speaking. I have worked in healthcare for 30 years and I have never seen the shortages in nursing we have right now in the US. That means RN's are being hired in almost all places and areas so long as they hold a valid license because the need is significant. Additionally, many states offer free tuition for residents who want to attend their state community college system. It's worth looking to see what your state offers as a 2-year RN degree might well be covered and leave you with very little to pay on your own.
A BSN is nice, but it can be expensive and it's not necessary to start working as an RN. If you want to continue your education and obtain your BSN down the road because you'd like to be in management / leadership, go into research, or consider becoming a nurse practitioner, many employers will help with tuition reimbursement, so that's something to consider.
Best of luck to you.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3736
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Jasper,
Starting Early: The Best Way to Begin a Medical Career
When considering a career in the medical field, it is essential to start early and lay a solid foundation for a successful future. This is especially true for those who aspire to become doctors or nurses. The following paragraphs will discuss the various steps and resources available for those who want to begin their medical career from a young age.
## Early Education and Exposure
The first step in preparing for a career in the medical field is to gain an understanding of the human body, biology, and the various medical concepts involved. This can be achieved through early education, such as high school courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Additionally, exposure to medical settings through internships, job shadowing, or volunteering can help build an interest in the field and provide valuable experience.
## Higher Education
After gaining a solid foundation in high school, aspiring medical professionals should pursue higher education in a related field, such as pre-medicine, biology, or nursing. This will help them develop the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their chosen career path. Additionally, networking with professors, peers, and medical professionals can help build connections and gain valuable insights into the field.
## Pre-Professional Programs
Many colleges and universities offer pre-professional programs designed to help students prepare for medical or nursing school. These programs often include courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other relevant subjects, as well as opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and research experiences.
## Medical or Nursing School
After completing a bachelor’s degree, aspiring doctors and nurses must attend medical or nursing school to obtain the necessary education and training for their chosen profession. This typically involves four years of medical school for doctors and two to four years of nursing school for nurses, including both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
## Licensure and Certification
Upon completing medical or nursing school, individuals must pass licensure exams, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for doctors or the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for nurses, to obtain their professional licenses. Additionally, nurses may pursue certification in specific specialties to enhance their knowledge and skills.
## Authoritative Reference Titles
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) - This organization represents nursing education, helping to shape the future of nursing through advocacy, research, and professional development.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - This organization is dedicated to improving the nation’s health through medical education, research, and improving the delivery of health care.
American Medical Association (AMA) - This professional association represents physicians and medical students, advocating for the betterment of the medical profession and the health of the nation.
In conclusion, starting early and gaining exposure to the medical field through education, internships, and networking is crucial for those who aspire to become doctors or nurses. By following the steps outlined above, individuals can build a strong foundation for a successful career in the medical field. Additionally, consulting authoritative references, such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Association of American Medical Colleges, and American Medical Association, can help guide and support those on their journey to becoming a doctor or nurse.
Do not forget to look at my autobiography which is entitled about James Constantine. There will be a plethora of nutrients like you didn't get from the foods that are listed there but I'll improve your academic performance particularly if you have been deficient for a while and certain nutrients are repleted. Thank you
Starting Early: The Best Way to Begin a Medical Career
When considering a career in the medical field, it is essential to start early and lay a solid foundation for a successful future. This is especially true for those who aspire to become doctors or nurses. The following paragraphs will discuss the various steps and resources available for those who want to begin their medical career from a young age.
## Early Education and Exposure
The first step in preparing for a career in the medical field is to gain an understanding of the human body, biology, and the various medical concepts involved. This can be achieved through early education, such as high school courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Additionally, exposure to medical settings through internships, job shadowing, or volunteering can help build an interest in the field and provide valuable experience.
## Higher Education
After gaining a solid foundation in high school, aspiring medical professionals should pursue higher education in a related field, such as pre-medicine, biology, or nursing. This will help them develop the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their chosen career path. Additionally, networking with professors, peers, and medical professionals can help build connections and gain valuable insights into the field.
## Pre-Professional Programs
Many colleges and universities offer pre-professional programs designed to help students prepare for medical or nursing school. These programs often include courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other relevant subjects, as well as opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and research experiences.
## Medical or Nursing School
After completing a bachelor’s degree, aspiring doctors and nurses must attend medical or nursing school to obtain the necessary education and training for their chosen profession. This typically involves four years of medical school for doctors and two to four years of nursing school for nurses, including both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
## Licensure and Certification
Upon completing medical or nursing school, individuals must pass licensure exams, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for doctors or the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for nurses, to obtain their professional licenses. Additionally, nurses may pursue certification in specific specialties to enhance their knowledge and skills.
## Authoritative Reference Titles
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) - This organization represents nursing education, helping to shape the future of nursing through advocacy, research, and professional development.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - This organization is dedicated to improving the nation’s health through medical education, research, and improving the delivery of health care.
American Medical Association (AMA) - This professional association represents physicians and medical students, advocating for the betterment of the medical profession and the health of the nation.
In conclusion, starting early and gaining exposure to the medical field through education, internships, and networking is crucial for those who aspire to become doctors or nurses. By following the steps outlined above, individuals can build a strong foundation for a successful career in the medical field. Additionally, consulting authoritative references, such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Association of American Medical Colleges, and American Medical Association, can help guide and support those on their journey to becoming a doctor or nurse.
Do not forget to look at my autobiography which is entitled about James Constantine. There will be a plethora of nutrients like you didn't get from the foods that are listed there but I'll improve your academic performance particularly if you have been deficient for a while and certain nutrients are repleted. Thank you