There are a few different paths that one can take to become a doctor. The most common path is to first become a registered nurse and then complete a bachelor’s degree, followed by four years of medical school. Some nurses may also choose to pursue a master’s degree in nursing before becoming a doctor.
There are also accelerated programs that allow students to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in six years or less.
There are many reasons why a nurse may want to become a doctor. For some, it’s a desire to have more knowledge and be able to provide better patient care. Others may want the challenge of working in a more demanding environment or see it as a natural progression in their career.
Whatever the reason, becoming a doctor requires dedication, hard work and determination.
The first step is completing an accredited medical degree which takes four years. This is followed by two years of residency training in order to gain hands-on experience in treating patients.
After residency, many doctors choose to specialize in a particular area such as surgery, pediatrics or cardiology. Others may opt for primary care which involves general medicine and treating common illnesses.
Once you have completed your medical training, you will need to obtain a license from your state’s medical board in order to practice medicine legally.
In addition, most states require doctors to complete continuing education courses on an ongoing basis in order to keep their license current.
If you’re considering becoming a doctor, talk to your nurse friends and colleagues who have made the transition.
Credit: careertrend.com
How Does a Nurse Become a Doctor
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the path to becoming a doctor varies depending on the country in which you are training. However, there are some common steps that most nurses will need to take in order to become a doctor.
After completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine or a related field.
You will then need to complete 4 years of medical school, followed by a residency program lasting 3-7 years depending on your chosen specialty. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass state licensing exams before you can begin practicing medicine.
My *stressful* Journey From Nursing to Medical School
How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor If You are a Nurse
If you’re a nurse considering becoming a doctor, you’re probably wondering how long it will take. The answer depends on a few factors, including your educational background and whether you choose to attend a traditional or accelerated program.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you’ll need to complete a four-year medical degree program.
If you have a master’s degree in nursing, you may be able to complete an accelerated three-year medical degree program. In either case, you’ll also need to complete a residency program lasting at least three years. So, the minimum amount of time it will take to become a doctor if you’re starting out as a nurse is seven years.
Of course, this is just the minimum amount of time required to become licensed as a physician. If you want to specialize in a particular area of medicine or pursue research,you’ll need to complete additional training beyond residency. For example, if you want to become an anesthesiologist,you’ll need to complete an additional one-to-three year fellowship after residency.
So, the total amount of time it could take from start to finish could be closer to 10 years or more.
However, keep in mind that becoming a doctor is not just about putting in the time – it’s also about dedicating yourself to lifelong learning.
Conclusion
A nurse can become a doctor through many different paths. The most common path is to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Other paths include earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree followed by a DNP or PhD, or going directly into medical school to earn an MD.