RN to MD: Steps to Go From Nurse to Doctor

Are you considering the leap from RN to MD? While nursing is undoubtedly a fulfilling profession and a cornerstone of the healthcare system, many nurses actually do make this career change. If this sounds like you, the fantastic news is that yes, it’s entirely possible to go from being an RN to earning your MD, and now is the perfect time to get started!

I’ll guide you step-by-step through what you need to do to successfully transition from RN to MD. And I’ll cover what to consider before you commit to this new path, including the advantages and drawbacks of making such a decision, the costs involved, plus helpful tips for applying to medical school.

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How To Transition From RN to MD?

Can You Go to Medical School with a Nursing Degree?

Yes, you can! In fact, your nursing background can actually be a significant asset on your journey to becoming a physician.

If you have your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), you will have a solid foundation for applying to medical school, where you can follow the path to becoming a doctor.

However, if you have an associate degree as an RN, there are bridging programs available that can help you earn your BSN. Many of these programs cover the prerequisite courses you’ll need for medical school.

Reasons Why an RN Might Want to Become an MD

This career shift is undoubtedly an individual decision with many possible reasons behind each person’s motivation to leave the nursing profession and take on the challenge of becoming a doctor. For some, life circumstances like raising young children or the reality of taking on student loans held them back in the past from pursuing their dream of becoming a physician.

For others, their time working in patient care spurred a new desire to take on a different role. Transitioning from a nurse to a doctor opens up specialization opportunities. As a doctor, you can focus on specific areas of medicine that interest you. For instance, if you’re passionate about understanding the intricacies of the human body, you might choose to specialize in internal medicine, allowing you to focus on patient diagnoses and treatments. On the other hand, if surgery calls to you, that’s another exciting pathway to explore.

Pros and Cons of Transitioning from RN to MD

If you’re unsure about leaving your position as a Registered Nurse (RN) to become a doctor (MD), it may help to consider the exciting new opportunities as well as the set of challenges that this transition involves. Knowing what to expect can help you make the best decision for your career.

Pros of Going from RN to MD

Moving from RN to MD comes with exciting opportunities that can profoundly impact your career and personal life in the following ways.

Increased Autonomy: As a physician, you’ll enjoy greater decision-making independence. You’ll lead patient care, crafting and directing treatment plans that align with your medical expertise.
Expanded Scope of Practice: Transitioning to a doctor means embracing new responsibilities. You’ll be able to diagnose patients and perform medical procedures beyond the nursing role.
Higher Earning Potential: Financially, the leap is significant. The average salary for a doctor in the U.S. is around $239,200 annually, compared to approximately $94,480 for registered nurses.

medical student sitting in clinical office and studying

Cons of Making the Move From RN to MD

While the journey from a Registered Nurse (RN) to a Medical Doctor (MD) is an admirable and rewarding path, weigh the potential downsides before deciding. Here are some of the challenges you might face along the way.

Lengthy and rigorous educational requirements: Transitioning from nurse to doctor requires a significant time investment of about six to 13 years after earning your RN credentials and bachelor’s degree (if you haven’t already). Consider if you’re ready for the long haul, both mentally and physically.
High stress and responsibility: The stakes are higher than they can be in nursing, as doctors often have the final say in treatment plans. This added pressure can lead to burnout and emotional fatigue.
Potential for significantly increased student debt: Medical school is known for its hefty price tag. Many students graduate with substantial debt, even with potential scholarships and financial aid. Then, the years of residency and possible fellowship have an earning potential typically much lower than that of physicians.

Education Pathway to Become an MD

Transitioning from an RN to an MD typically takes about as long as the traditional route to becoming a doctor. With your BSN degree (or a related undergrad degree), which usually takes four years to complete, you’ve already met the basic educational requirement for medical school. After that, you’ll follow the common path that all prospective doctors take.

In total, you can expect the journey to take anywhere from 10 to 17 years, which includes:

A four-year bachelor’s degree (for RNs, this is likely your BSN)
A four-year MD program
A residency, which can last between 2 to 7 years
A fellowship program, if you choose to specialize, lasting an additional 1 to 3 years

Costs of Pursuing Your MD

Becoming a doctor is an ambitious and rewarding journey, but it comes with significant costs that you’ll need to consider. Here’s a breakdown of the primary expenses you can expect along the way:

Tuition and Fees: The average total cost of attending medical school in 2024 was approximately $235,827. You’ll spend less on average as an in-state student than attending a school in a different state than your residence.
Living Expenses, such as food, housing, and transportation, are typically not included in the tuition and fees from the school.
Debt Considerations: The median debt for public medical school graduates is approximately $193,000. For those attending private institutions, this amount increases to around $224,000.
Financial Aid Options: Fortunately, there are numerous financial aid opportunities to help mitigate costs, including scholarships and grants. Student loans can help cover costs, but it’s important to understand the terms and conditions.
Private Loans: If you exhaust other financial options, private loans can cover any remaining balance. However, these loans often have higher interest rates and stricter repayment terms than federal loans.

Steps to Transition from RN to MD

Transitioning from a Registered Nurse (RN) to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is an ambitious and rewarding journey! It requires dedication, hard work, and a clear understanding of what to expect. If you’re ready to take that leap, here’s a quick breakdown of the process.

Step 1: Obtain a Degree

To apply to medical school, you will need to earn (if you don’t already have it) your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a related undergraduate bachelor’s degree, preferably in a science field of study. A BSN or science-related degree prepares you for the rigors of medical school.

Step 2: Fulfill Medical School Requirements

Before you can apply to medical school, there are specific prerequisites that you must meet. These courses typically include the following subjects: biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, and English. Also, it helps if you have taken sociology, psychology, or an arts or second language course. Since it can vary from school to school, double-check the specific requirements for the medical schools you’re interested in.

Step 3: Take the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized, computer-based, multiple-choice exam, assesses your knowledge and readiness for medical school. As much as you may want to avoid taking this seven-and-a-half-hour test, medical school admissions committees will want to see your score.

Speaking of MCAT scores, the higher your score, the more opportunities you’ll secure, from receiving interview invites to getting accepted into the medical schools you’ve sent your applications to. You’ll want to create a consistent study plan that fits your schedule.
Preparing to score well can take between 3-6 months, depending on any other commitments you might have and how long ago you took the relevant courses. If you are still working full-time while preparing for the MCAT, it’s better to plan for 6-9 months of studying to give you enough time to get confident.

Step 4: Medical School Application Process

In addition to taking the MCAT, medical schools also require a lengthy application process. Although it can feel overwhelming, breaking it down into the following sections can make it more manageable.

Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Secure LORs from professors and healthcare practitioners who can speak to your skills, work ethic, and character. Strong endorsements are vital for standing out in your application.
Primary Application: Part of the application requires writing a compelling personal statement. Be sure to clearly articulate your motivations for becoming a doctor and share your experiences that have shaped your journey so far, such as highlighting your work as an RN.
Secondary Applications: After your primary application, many schools require a secondary application that often includes additional essays. You’ll be asked to share your thoughts and experiences related to specifics, such as overcoming adversity and how your life incorporates diversity.
Interviews: If you get to this stage, well done! Prepare well for your medical school interviews by practicing common questions and articulating your thoughts clearly. Schools conduct interviews to assess your skills and determine if you’re a good fit for their program.

Consider applying to multiple medical schools to increase your acceptance odds. You choose to apply to allopathic programs to earn your MD or osteopathic programs to receive a DO. Take time to research the schools you’re interested in, specifically how well you align with their mission, GPA and MCAT requirements, and other admission criteria.

premed in office preparing for medical school application

Feeling a bit lost on where to start?

In my Free Premed Workshop, I share many of the step-by-step strategies that helped me earn 10 medical school acceptances as a non-traditional applicant (despite my 3.3 GPA)! And you can get there, too.

Find out how to identify residency bias, the winning framework for a stellar personal statement, why you want to apply early (and exactly how to do it) and much more. Plus, I’ll share an inside look into all the unnecessary mistakes I made that first time I applied (when I didn’t get accepted), so you can skip them and be successful right on your first try.

Step 5: Attend Medical School

Congratulations on being accepted! The four years you’ll spend in medical school will be an intense yet rewarding experience. You’ll intensely study basic sciences during the first two years, followed by hands-on clinical rotations in various specialties. Get ready to study hard! You’ll also need to pass board exams, which include Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE.

Complete Residency (And Possibly a Fellowship)

At the end of your fourth year in medical school, you’ll apply for residency through the ERAS application. If a program is interested, they’ll reach out for an interview. During this process, you’ll use the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) to rank your preferred programs, hoping for a match that fits you well.

Once in your residency, you’ll get specialized training in a specific area of medicine, such as pediatrics, surgery, or internal medicine. The length of residency varies by specialty, ranging from three to seven years. It’s often grueling with long hours, but you will receive a meager salary and truly hone your skills as a physician.

If you choose to sub-specialize, you can enroll in a fellowship program following your residency. Fellowships offer advanced education and training in a specific area of medicine, allowing you to learn from some of the top experts in the field, though they are not mandatory.

Obtain Board Certification

Finally, after completing your residency and completing the Step 3 USMLE exam, you’ll become board-certified in your specialty. Now, you can independently practice medicine!

The Bottom Line on Transitioning from RN to MD

Nurses are the heart and soul of our healthcare system. They provide support, compassion, and critical care. If you plan to transition from RN to MD, know that you’ll bring a unique skill set to this new position. You’ll have the background to expertly bridge the gap between patient care and medical expertise.

Taking the leap from RN to MD is no small feat, and it’s certainly not a path for everyone. It involves taking on significant costs, rigorous education, and intense testing. However, the rewards can be substantial for RNs who choose this career shift. Beyond the perks of a much higher salary and prestige, this specialization can lead to greater job satisfaction as RNs experience the fulfillment of affecting change at a higher level.

If you’re serious about making this transition or just want to learn more about the path ahead, here are some helpful blog posts that cover more information about the path to becoming a doctor: