Building a Personal Statement as a Nurse Practitioner Premed

Session 212

This nurse practitioner premed needs help with forming her personal statement and answering the question, why do you want to be a doctor?

Ask Dr. Gray: Premed Q&A is brought to you by Blueprint MCAT. Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

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[02:35] Question of the Day

Q: How can one express why they want to be a physician and also emphasize their desire for learning? (A full-time MP for three years and a nurse for 10 years, this student wants to be a physician. She is a mother of two, three, and seven, and she’s planning to get into a medical school in her area. She wants to know how to get started.)

A: Identify and share specific stories and experiences that will connect with the readers of your personal statement or the interviewers during the medical school interviews.

Stories will help the reader understand and relate to your motivation for pursuing a career as a physician. These stories are also significant in maintaining your own motivation and clarifying your decision to transition from being an MP to becoming a physician. Engage yourself in deep soul-searching and self-reflection to uncover these stories and solidify your motivations.

It’s not just about acquiring knowledge for the sake of it but considering how that knowledge will be applied. Reflect on how the knowledge you gain can be used to help patients. Think about specific patients, like Sally, and envision how your future role as a physician would enable you to provide certain actions or interventions for the patient’s benefit. This patient will help you contemplate your own journey and motivations for pursuing a medical career.

[07:20] Career Crossroads: Exploring the Path to Medicine from Nursing

When asked whether she had ever wanted to become a physician in the past or had various reasons to ultimately choose not to, she mentions she never believed she had the knowledge or capability to pursue a career in medicine. In high school, her aspiration was to become a nurse, unaware of the option to become a nurse practitioner.

Now she is at a crossroads, questioning whether to pursue a doctorate in nursing (DNP) or go directly to medical school. She expresses doubts about the value of obtaining a DNP and wonders if it would lead to the same career outcomes as becoming a physician.

The thoughtful and intentional approach to your career decision-making process is a good indicator that you’re asking yourself important questions. You’re trying to figure out what you truly want. It is okay if, at some point, you realize that you don’t actually want to pursue medical school and instead opt for other options.

It’s not just the knowledge acquired in medical school that matters, but also the impact and opportunities that come with the diploma and credentials. You are on the right track in their decision-making process.

[10:00] Perceptions of Community College

Q: “Is there a difference or any negative perception among medical schools regarding completing prerequisite courses at a community college and then transferring to a university?

Are there any implications if I choose this route and will it affect my chances of getting into medical school?

Personally, I find community college more convenient due to the flexibility it offers, such as evening courses that allow me to continue working.”

A: Historically there has been a stigma against community colleges for completing prerequisite courses. However, this stigma is gradually diminishing.

While some medical schools may question why all prerequisites were taken at a community college, they may also consider the individual’s job as an NP and other activities that might have influenced the choice.

Community colleges are generally recognized for their flexibility, particularly for non-traditional students. Rest assured, there is no need to worry about this issue. However, if there are limitations on where one can apply for medical school and if the choice of undergraduate classes is restricted, it might be beneficial to initiate conversations with local medical schools and those to which the individual plans to apply.

By reaching out and discussing the situation, including personal circumstances and plans, it is possible to gauge their perspective and gain their support and guidance.