Medical Schools that Accept Nurses (50 RN to MD Schools) 2023

If you never knew or heard about medical schools that accept nurses, then here is a great information to start with and I promise you, it will be super helpful.

What makes the Difference?

Without exemption, both doctors and nurses are very essential in the medical field, however, some nurses might wish to transition from nursing to medicine to gain a higher advantage in the medical field.

Whether you have a B.Sc in nursing, currently practicing nursing or have already become a registered nurse, it is possible to become a medical doctor, as many medical schools accept nurses.

Nurses can earn a bachelor’s degree and apply to medical schools just like regular students.

Those with a minimum qualification of B.Sc in nursing can go for their MBBS, although this will take longer time.

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How Will Being a Nurse Affect My Application to Med School?

Being a nurse can be a great qualification when applying to medical school, as it indicates that you have already acquired relevant experience and knowledge in the healthcare system.

Medical schools appreciate applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and being a nurse can set you apart from other applicants.

However, being a nurse does not guarantee acceptance to medical school. You’ll still be required to meet the academic requirements and also demonstrate your commitment to pursuing a career in medicine.

Can a Nurse Become a Doctor?

Yes!

A nurse can become a doctor by completing medical school and residency training. Meanwhile, achieving this involves a rigorous process. You will need enough time, resources and commitment to achieve this.

Reasons Why Nurses May Want to Become Medical Doctors (MDs)?

There are numerous reasons a nurse may suddenly want to become a medical doctor. Some nurses may want to expand their knowledge and skills in healthcare, take on more responsibility, or increase their earning potential. Others may feel limited in their career as a nurse and want to pursue new opportunities and challenges.

Is it Advisable to Switch from Nursing to Medicine?

Although switching from nursing to medicine is good for professional reasons, it is totally personal. The decision to whether or not one should switch from nursing to medicine is personal and that should depends on your career goals and interests.

Note: it’s a significant decision that requires careful consideration of the time, financial, and emotional commitment required to pursue a medical career.

Check also:

Are Doctors Better than Nurses?

No, doctors are not better than nurses because both professions are essential to the healthcare system and work together to provide quality patient care.

While doctors have a different set of skills and responsibilities than nurses, both professions are important and valuable.

Is There a Stigma Around Nurses Becoming MDs?

There is not necessarily a stigma around nurses becoming MDs, but there may be some misconceptions about the transition.

Some people may assume that nurses who become doctors are “giving up” on nursing or are not content with their current career.

However, pursuing a career in medicine even as a nurse, is and should always be personal decision that should be respected. You mustn’t consider third-parties’ influence in making your career choice.

How Long Does it Take to Go From RN to MD?

The time taken to go from nursing to becoming a medical doctor varies depending on many factors like your educational background, specialty, career goals, available qualifications, your program choice (part or full time), and personal schedules.

Like I said up there, “graduating from a medical school will typically take four years, followed by residency training in a specific medical specialty”

Altogether may take between five (5) to seven (7) years or more, to complete the required courses and necessary medical training required for certification.

How long is it to go from Nursing to Medicine?

It can take 4 to 6 years to go from RN to MD, depending on your personal educational background, career goals, specialty and the necessary education and medical trainings involved.

Are Doctors paid better than Nurses?

In general, doctors are paid higher than nurses due to the differences in their educational achievement, training, and job responsibilities.

It is generally believed that doctors have more years of medical trainings than nurses. Doctors are also responsible for diagnosing and treating medical conditions, performing procedures, and making medical decisions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wages for doctors and surgeons in the United States is $208,000, while the median annual wage for registered nurses is $75,330.

However, it’s important to also know that all doctors don’t receive the same wage, as same as nurses. There are variations in their wages depending on factors like their specialties, experiences, qualifications, working hours, job positions, job responsibilities and places of employment.

While doctors may earn more than nurses on average, both professions are essential to the healthcare system and require different sets of skills and expertise.

How Much Does Medical School Cost for Nurses?

The cost of attending a medical school varies depending many factors like; the medical school you choose, the location of the school, and your speciality.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges as reported, the average cost of attending medical school in the United States ranges from Forty Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Five U.S Dollars ($43,655) for in-state students at public schools.

Out-of-state students at public schools pay over Sixty Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety U.S Dollars ($62,290) while Private medical schools cost even more, with an average of $61,320 per year.

Note: the above stats was reported for 2020-2021.

In recent years, medical schools can cost as much as Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Six U.S dollars ($230,296), and it’s expected to increase more due to the fact that, the average cost of medical school rises by about a thousand dollars every year.

What to expect when You Transition from Nursing to Medicine?

Transitioning from nursing to becoming a medical doctor can be a challenging but rewarding process. Below are some necessary things to expect when transitioning from nursing to becoming a medical doctor:

Additional Education:

To become a doctor, you’ll need to complete medical program in an accredited medical school and this might take up to four years.

During this time, you will learn in-depth about medical sciences, clinical practice, and patient care. You will also be required to complete clinical rotations in different specialties.

Different Training and Responsibilities:

As a medical doctor, you will have different training and responsibilities compared to nursing. You will be responsible for making medical diagnoses, prescribing medication, and performing medical procedures.

As a doctor, you will be responsible for making complex and difficult medical decisions as concerned with the health and well-being of your patients.

Longer Time in Trainings:

Depending on the specialty you choose, you may also need to complete a residency program, which can take an additional 3-7 years.

This will give you the opportunity to work with experienced doctors, develop your own skills, show your expertise, and gain practical experience in clinical settings.

Increase in Work Stress:

As a medical doctor, you will face higher levels of stress compared to nursing due to the responsibility of making life-changing medical decisions and dealing with life and death situations.

Higher Earnings:

Medical doctors typically earn higher salaries than nurses due to their level of education and expertise. So this might be an advantage to your income.

List of Medical Schools that Accept Nurses

Below are some medical schools that accept nurses:

Johns Hopkins University Medical School
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine
Oceania University of Medicine
Duke University
Case Western Reserve University
Baylor College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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1. Johns Hopkins University Medical School

Johns Hopkins University Medical School allows nurses to study medicine provided the nursing degree is from an accredited university or college.

Students with evening or extension courses are only accepted into the school if these courses are similar to the ones offered in Johns Hopkins’s regular academic program.

If the nursing degree is from a foreign university, the students must have a supplement course for a year or more in any accredited institution in the United States.

Besides degree requirements, the school expects students to have excellent communication and teamwork skills, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts for those with degrees outside the United States.

2. University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine

The University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine has online and campus-based programs for students and nurses to transition to medicine smoothly. The school accepts nurses with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States.

To move from nursing to any Doctor of Medicine program at the University of South Florida, you must have taken the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) three years before admission.

Other admission requirements include excellent communication skills, observation, behavioral and cognitive skills, professional experience, and social skills.

3. Oceania University of Medicine

Besides having a global network of clinics and teaching hospitals for practicals and theories, the Oceania University of Medicine allows nurses to get Doctor of Medicine degrees. They are taught by experts and professionals using a hybrid curriculum.

The Oceania University of Medicine does not have strict requirements for students transiting from nursing to medicine.

You only need official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended, proof of English Proficiency, three letters of recommendation, professional Resumé, an essay, and others.

4. Duke University

Duke University has one of the best top 10 nursing schools in the United States, allowing nurses to move to medical school with their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Nurses can choose any area of medicine, like an Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Master of Science Training Program (MSTP), Doctor of Physical Therapy, and many others.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA.

It is not mandatory to take the GRE, MCAT, or any other standardized test before being considered for admission, and you can decide to take it at your own time and convenience.

5. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine has many excellent features like accepting nursing students to study medicine, dual degree programs, and medical research.

The school has a Doctor of Medicine program that lasts for 4 years.

However, Case Western Reserve University checks academic performance before accepting any student for any program.

Nursing students, like others, must have a bachelor’s degree of not less than 3.78 with an MCAT score of 518. Note that the school has low chances of acceptance, so you must have a solid academic performance.

6. Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine accepts nurses to study in the 4-year Doctor of Medicine program. This program covers learning, clinical rotations, theoretical and foundational sciences, and practicals.

It is expected that students finish this program within 486 to 72 months. You can also apply for dual degrees in M.D./Ph.D., M.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.P.H, or M.D./J.D, and save your time.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with at least 90 undergraduate semester hours. The MCAT and the online CASPer tests are also required to be considered for admission. Other requirements include letters of recommendation and a supplemental application.

7. Eastern Virginia Medical School

Eastern Virginia Medical School, in partnership with Norfolk State University, has a joint program – NSU/EVMS, that allows students to enter their medical school when they have completed an undergraduate degree program.

This program means there is no need for an MCAT test or to experience the stress of applying to medical schools.

The requirement to be admitted into this program is that students must enroll in The Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) program and participate in extracurricular activities.

Also, the school requires an overall GPA of 3.4, SAT scores of 1200, and positive reviews from the Pre-Health Committee (PHC) at Norfolk State University.

8. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a program (Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative) that allows undergraduate students studying health-related courses from the school to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree without taking the MCAT test.

With the program, the student is sure to move from any program, including nursing, to medical school.

The school requires all applicants to be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents, especially in Texas, at the time of application.

A minimum score of 30 ACT or 1360 SAT is required; all scores must be from a particular testing date. Students must submit letters of recommendation or evaluation and academic records also.

Can You Apply to a Medical School as a Nurse?

Studying M.D. programs in any United States medical school with your R.N. degree is possible. Most schools accept students with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing to become medical students.

Nonetheless, you can move to medical schools by meeting some of the general requirements like :

A good MCAT score
Letters of recommendation or evaluation
High school diploma or bachelor’s degree in any health-related courses
Having strong performance in extracurricular activities.

How Do I Go From Being Nurse to Medical Doctor (MD)?

To become a medical doctor as a nurse, you’ll need to pass through some process like: completing a pre-medical program, attending medical school, and completing a residency program.

While in the pre-medical program, you may be required to complete some courses both in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and other subjects.

Graduating from a medical school may take up four years, followed by residency training in a specific medical specialty which will qualify you to be a specialized medical doctor.

Can I go to medical school with a nursing degree?

Yes, it is possible to go to medical school with a nursing degree. Meanwhile, this transition will require additional coursework.

Some medical schools may require you to meet the same admission requirements as other applicants. This may include completing the necessary undergraduate courses, taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), meeting the minimum GPA and other requirements set by the medical school.

How do I Transfer from Nursing to MD?

To transfer from nursing to MD, you will have to apply to medical school, complete the required courses and undergo the necessary clinical trainings.

Note: This can be a challenging process, because medical schools are very demanding both in time and in resources! With dedication and hard work, you can achieve it.

Can you go from Nursing to Medicine?

Yes, it’s possible to transition from nursing to medicine. Meanwhile, it may take longer than the traditional path especially if you first of all want to become a nurse before transitioning to a doctor.

You would need to complete additional coursework and meet the same requirements as other medical school applicants, but in a nutshell, it is possible.

Can a Nurse be a Surgeon?

While it is rare, a nurse can become a surgeon. For a nurse to become a surgeon, such has to attend medical school and complete a surgical residency program.

However, specialized nurses like Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) and Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), are qualified to work and perform certain surgical tasks with surgeons in the operating room but under the supervision of the surgeons.

Do people Respect Doctors more than Nurses?

Perceptions of respect and value for doctors and nurses can vary depending on the individual and the context.

In the medical field, both doctors and nurses are respected. Both are valuable professions in the healthcare system and are essential in providing high-quality health care to patients.

Meanwhile, doctors often times have more authority and responsibilities due to their role as medical decision-makers. Nevertheless, nurses are also valued for their expertise in taking care of patients.

Do Nurses have the Same Respect Doctors have?

Nurses are highly respected in the healthcare system. They play critical roles in providing high-quality health care to patients.

Nurses are highly valued due to their expertise in taking care of patients like communicating effectively with them and their families, and taking care of even the most complex needs of the patients.

Bottom line

Nurses are as critical as doctors and are all needed in the health sector. However, many had unfulfilled dreams of being medical doctors.

So, with your nursing certificate or degree, you can move to be a doctor, as many schools accept nurses. You only have to meet their requirements to be considered for admission.

Medical Schools that Accept Nurses (50 RN to MD Schools) 2023