As a registered nurse you already have a challenging career in the medical field. But if you're looking to take on greater responsibility for the care of your patients, you may want to consider a career as a doctor. Your experience as an RN may give you a head start in this career, but you still need to complete medical school and a residency to move up in the ranks.
Step 1
Complete your bachelor's degree, if you have not already, as you can't apply to med school until you do. As an RN, you could have earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing. You can complete an RN-to-BSN program that will give you a bachelor of science in nursing. These programs offer you advanced standing because you already have some of the necessary education.
Step 2
Register for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and begin studying for it. The MCAT is a test covering knowledge of certain sciences as well as your verbal reasoning skills. As an RN, you already have a background in these sciences, but you can get additional study information and practice tests from the Association of American Medical Colleges' website at aamc.org, where you can also register for the test.
Step 3
Apply to medical school and complete your four-year medical degree. This includes two years of lab and classroom experience. In your final two years, you gain work experience under the supervision of an experienced physician.
Step 4
Complete a residency program after earning your medical degree. A residency gives you experience in a specialized area and lasts anywhere from three to five years.
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M. Scilly is a writer and editor who writes for various online publications, specializing in business and management. He has a fondness for travel and photography. In his free time he enjoys marathon training.