I am making this first post for a two-fold reason. First, to introduce myself to the community, and second, to help me organize my thoughts and emotions about becoming a physician after nearly 20 years as a nurse.
I am an advanced practice nurse with two board certified specialities (anesthesia - CRNA and acute care - ACNP), and I recently obtained a practice doctorate (DNP). While I am proud of my academic and professional accomplishments, I feel frustrated and unfulfilled with my chosen profession. I thought many of my frustrations would subside after I completed my doctorate in nursing, but instead it only fueled them. Further, my practice is fraught with limitations (physician collaboration, practice statutes / regulations, and hospital / facility bylaws) that would not be present if I were a physician. In addition, I am not interested in fighting political battles to expand my nursing practice, or further educate stakeholders about the role and needs of the advanced practice nurse, although these are important endeavors for the profession.
I want to practice health care unleashed. And implement choices and delivery models I believe, through evidence and scientific foundation, are the best for my patients and their families. I want (and need) a deeper understanding of physiology, pathology, and disease management, and not the survey courses I received in my graduate education. I want to have the biggest impact in health care a single practitioner can have. I know nursing is a fantastic profession, and its influence can be substantial, but I feel I could be doing even more as a physician.
That said, I am 40 years old. I need to (re)complete my science prerequisites through either a post baccalaureate program or something similar and take the MCATS. I think I will be 44 by the time I am ready to apply (including being financially sound - no more student debt to pay back). If I am accepted, I will be 45 and starting a program. I’ll be 52 to 53 by the time I finish residency. That leaves me maybe 20 years +/- a few years depending on my health to practice. It’s a big commitment.
I know I have the aptitude and drive, but am I crazy for pursuing this dream this late in life? How would a medical school admissions committee react to a forty something applicant who spent half of his professional life as a nurse? Do you think that being an APRN with a doctorate will work against me in a school admission or PBPM program? What is the best preparatory approach to take?
Thank you in advance for any comments / suggestions. I look forward to reading them and engaging in this online community.
Best,
Jeff
Hello Jeff and Welcome!!
I’m 47 and just got accepted to medical school and there are some of us here that have me beat by a few more years, so no age excuses. 
I think you have a great chance of getting into med school. The story you have told will be part of your personal statement and interview.
I personally didn’t do a formal post-bac program, mainly because it wasn’t offered where I was living and going to school, but it is certainly an option for a lot of people. With your background, a formal post-bac may not be necessary.
Anyway, best of luck and welcome again.
Maria
Hello Jeff
I’m not sure what value my perspective has, I am still taking classes to fulfill my prerequisites and I am currently deciding whether to postpone my planned application from June 2014 until 2015.
My only similarity is perhaps age, I will be turning 40 next April. In fact despite the fact I can rationalize 40 as just another year and that age is not really an issue (it seems quite a few people attend med school in there 40’s - see post above)I still find myself plagued with doubts. Not just doubts mind but a sense of urgency to rush and apply, as soon as possible. Time is short and getting shorter. One day I’ll look in the mirror and see my wrinkly old face is crumbling to dust…(or something like that).
I’ve learned to recognize these particular age related doubts and when they come, rather than try and fight them with logic and rationality, I just label them. Here it is again my age worry…I try not to react them, in fact I examine them what is it exactly I am concerned about?
Perhaps it might help if to see these doubts as a very normal response to a big change. When I see that my fears, uncertainties and doubts are as much a part and a challenge of this journey as say Organic Chem was then I find that they are easier to deal with.
Jeff -
On the whole, I would think a med school admission committee would react VERY well to a 40-something applicant with YOUR background. Mine was less impressive but I was generally very well received. And I was a lot older.
Regarding the post-bacc program, different programs have different views on their purpose. Some are specifically for career changers. If it has been a long time since you took the science prerequisites (and I can’t see how it would not be) such a program may help you get just the courses you need, quickly. That’s why I did one - to pack my prereqs into one year. That said, you have to be able to devote sufficient time to excell despite the compressed schedule. Don’t know what part of the country you are from - I did Univ. of Virginia’s progrma and thought it very helpful.
Best of luck. Don’t think you are crazy. Me, now, I’m not laying odds on 
Kate
The following link will help to reaffirm and flesh out your current planning:
http://www.oldpremeds.org/fusionbb/showpost.php?po…
Basically, for your situation, demonstrate you can excel in the sciences and have a great attitude.
Welcome Jeff!
You are the first CRNA that I have found on this site. I was beginning to think that I was the only one 
. I myself have had many thoughts about the nursing profession as you have.
As a 17 year CRNA, I have always felt as if there was “more to be had” in my profession. I have practiced as an independent, unsupervised CRNA most of my career and have developed excellent skills, leadership qualities, and decision-making abilities in the health care arena. However, I have always desired to, as you say, “become unleashed”.
Thoughts about a DNP have crossed my mind, yet I feel that even this will still leave me feeling fairly empty. I am tired of telling myself that “I should have gone to medical school!”.
So I (like many others in this community have done) have taken the leap and am on my way to fulfill my dream. There is one standout point that I have learned from those here on OPM–YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD. This was a big concern of mine, as I am 49 and hoping to matriculate in 2016. This will put me entering residency at the young age of 56! And Jeff, there are many that are older than me.
As a father of a six year old, I know that I will need to work for several more years before retirement. I want to spend those years knowing that I am in the profession that was always meant for me. I have worked with many CRNA’s through the years that have grown old with the profession and are very content in their careers. I know that there is more for me, and I am determined to make it happen!
There are many qualities that an older nontrad can bring to the table. You need to believe in yourself and your abilities to get it done. Your background and education will only enhance your application and make you stand out amongst the others. Embrace it!
What you DON’T want to happen is to NOT follow your heart…and one day, when you’re one of those 70 year old CRNA’s still doing anesthesia, ask yourself, “What if?”.
Drive on brother