From nurse to doctor through AUIS
While attending a college career fair in a neighboring town, several students stopped to hear from the spokespersons representing many of the schools throughout Georgia.
Among them was the American University of Integrative Sciences, School of Medicine. Listening to the school’s representatives talk about AUIS’s affordable medical program and the newly announced scholarships the school offers, it was obvious some parents and students were impressed. One student stated an opposing opinion saying, “I think it’s better to be a nurse.”
While that student’s comment was surely the kind that would swell a sense of pride in a number of nurses, it raised an interesting question to explore — “How does a nurse become a doctor?”
This article can’t possible state whether one career path is better than another. That choice is a matter of preference. Some people are just naturally more inclined to pick one career over the other. However, taking a look at the requirements of each, this article aims to describe how the path from nursing blends into areas where doctors are required to be skilled, and illustrates how AUIS was a great choice for several nurses who have wanted a change in careers.
According to the Department of Labor’s summary report, it lists the tasks for general internist compared to a registered nurse. The doctor’s description includes words like “treat, prescribe, explain, manage and advise.” The nurse’s description uses “maintain, administer, record, monitor, consult, coordinate and prepare.”
According to Shirie Leng, a former nurse and blog columnist at Medicine For Real, those words mean the difference between authoritative words, in the doctor’s case and subordinate words in the nurse’s example. Mrs. Leng was quick to point out the department of Labor is not where she sends people to discover if one path is right for them.
When asked if one path is more suited for people trying to decide, Leng’s answer is less than direct, she said.
“I send them to their parents, their childhood friends, their favorite authors and movies, their passions, what they dream about. I send them back to their lives to ask the question of themselves,” said Leng.
Whether a person started their career as a nurse or not, becoming a doctor requires courses and studies nurses may find familiar.
A former nurse and medical school student, Jason Leong, wrote an article entitled From Nurse to Doctor: The Career Path Less Encouraged.
In this article Leong described his experience as he changed careers from nurse to doctor.
“I went to medical school, motivated by my experiences as a nurse,” Leong said. “I’m proud to say my nursing years were some of the most formative moments of my life.”
Leong went on to say that, his experiences at medical school showed him that patient care isn’t exclusive to nurses.
Like nursing schools, AUIS recognizes the practice of medicine in the 21st century is about a comprehensive view of the patient-physician relationship. AUIS, School of Medicine helps nurses meet their goals to become doctors with a comprehensive program.
“We specifically chose AUIS because of their long history of excellent clerkship opportunities and impressive match rates,” said Marsha Landvatter, former nurse and current AUIS year four medical student. “The clinical department gave us equal opportunity to complete our clerkship rotations at any of their many locations across the USA and Canada but went the extra mile to accommodate our family and our desire to stay close to home.”
Some medical school may have a bias against nurses who want to apply, said Leong. But, on the contrary, AUIS’s program of study actually encourages it.
The admissions staff echoes this sentiment saying AUIS has a number of students who have made the successful switch from nurse to MD.
“We have several nurses and physician assistants who are currently in school,” said Gwen Garner, director of admissions. “Many students realize that nursing does not fulfill their ultimate career goals. They prefer a position of diagnoses and treatment that goes beyond that of the job description for nurses.”
AUIS recognizes in these students a great level of care that has been developed and honed into an art during their education and employment as nurses, said Mrs. Garner.
Mrs. Landvatter and her husband entered into the medical program at AUIS and have proven to excel after completing their nursing degrees, Garner said.
“AUIS has singlehandedly made it possible for us both to fulfill our dreams of becoming Physicians without having to sacrifice our family,” said Mrs. Landvatter.
For details about the nurse to doctor initiatives at AUIS, contact the admissions office at (678) 831-3527, or visit the website at auis.edu.
