Done with Gen Chem 1

The last four weeks have been a blur to say the least. Time has gone so fast that am still wondering how I've been able to pull through.  It was my first time back to school in like 10 years and the pace of an accelerated chem class is no joke. 4 weeks of an entire semester of chemistry just flew by. It's been hard adjusting to school, being in a lab after so long and being in class with people half my age has been humbling. So, taking it one day at a time. Preparing for the ACS final tomorrow and then on to Gen chem 2 for another 4 weeks!

First Day Back

Today was filled anxiety coupled with excitement.  I was excited to be starting my pre-med classes but also very nervous at the same time since I have been away from school for the last 10 years. I looked around at all the young vibrant students who were going to be my classmates for the next few months full of vigor, excitement and I had to snap out of my anxiety and focus..I had to keep reminding myself that I can do this and to maintain a positive outlook.  The summer immersion classes are known to be intense, fast paced and sure enough  after a brief orientation to Gen Chem, we hit the ground running! 3 hours of lab (4x/week) and 3 hour lectures Mon-Fri is going to be my schedule for the next coming weeks and today was no exception. At the end of the day we had covered one week's worth of chemistry during a regular semester in just one day.  I have to plow through the next few weeks, there's definitely no turning back now.

My Plan revisited

Truth be told, my one year plan was a bit ambitious.  After researching and speaking to different advisers, reality has set in that a one year plan is just not feasible.  So with that said, my plan now is to stretch things out and apply in the 2017 cycle..wow that means class of 2022! That's sobering, but i'd better be well prepared than rush through and miss the mark entirely.

So, my DIY post-bacc now looks more like this:

Summer 15' -----General Chem I & II
Fall 15'-----------Organic Chem I, Genetics, Physiology
Spring 16'--------Organic Chem II, Physics I
Summer 16'------Physics II, Bio II
Fall 16'-----------Biochemistry, Cell Biology
Spring 17'--------MCAT Review
April 17'---------Take the MCAT
May 17'----------Apply

Lot's to do in addition to some research, volunteering and shadowing....but with God, all things are possible!

The Plan....
Basically, all the following science classes need to be completed before I can ever apply to Med school and for the "beast" or should I say "equal opportunity offender" aka MCAT.  The (Medical College Admissions Test) MCAT is a must have for any medical school admission in the US and Canada.  This test has been tormenting premeds since it's inception in God knows when (1920's) and I am no exception!  I'll revisit the MCAT at a later post...
So these are the classes are:

• General Chemistry 1&2 (with a lab component)
• Physics 1&2 (with a lab component)
• Organic Chem 1 & 2 (with a lab component)
• Biochemistry

Extras if time allows:

• Cell Biology
• Physiology
• Genetics

Different schools have different requirements and since my options are limited in the number of schools I can apply to d/t kiddos, hubby's work etc, I have to take all that apply to each school just to beef up my chances.

Additional Requirements:

• Extracurricular activities
• Research
• Clinical Experience
• Letters of recommendations
• The MCAT

Lots to accomplish in one year!  Am hoping to get all these in 1 academic year including 1 extra summer....

God Help me!!

A brief intro..

I am a Registered Nurse and have been for the last 10 years. I graduated with a Bachelors in Nursing (BSN) and dove right into the world of nursing.  I have worked in various settings but I am currently doing more of community health nursing which I truly love and enjoy.  Not only is it flexible and gives me financial stability and job security, it is also extremely rewarding.  

Am at a crossroads though. I enjoy what I do, but I also want to get a higher education. The itch to pursue medicine has always been there but it has always seemed like such an impossibility and arduous process that I just shelved it and even considered becoming a nurse practitioner or a CRNA instead.  

I have worked with and around doctors, and I have to say I admire the profession. The autonomy that comes with being a doctor, the intellectually stimulating career, using medical knowledge to change lives, the different opportunities e.t.c are some of the things that draw me to medicine. Not to forget, I am fascinated with how the human body works. Even though as a nurse, several of these reasons are fulfilled to some degree, it's not the same. 

Well, I have revisited the idea of pursuing medicine and this time around, I have an overwhelming confidence that I should at least give it a try. Am raising two kids and instilling in them that they can do anything they put their minds to and am now having to remind myself of the same every single day.  

But I have to admit that the doubt and internal conflict is also overwhelming.  Questions such as why now, am I too old for this, will I make it in med school or even get admitted for that matter...These questions will continue to haunt me this entire process but am determined to try, at least give it a shot..

Someone once said "a thousand mile journey, begins with a single step"..well this is it for me.  A new beginning to a long journey ahead.........