Very well thought out answer, doctor. I would have been really caught off guard if I had been asked that question, and I would not have been able to formulate a satisfactory answer under pressure, especially if, as you said, there were nurses on the board. You hit the nail on the head when you said, "There aren't a lot of differences between nurses and doctors." I would also point out that a nurse who has specialized and gained prescribing privileges has probably been through a very long road to get there. Personally, the fact that doctors have the detailed knowledge which is required for diagnosing all kinds of human diseases just feels like a better fit for me. Nurses are the technical experts who are given the information they need for constant, immediate care of the patient, but I crave the kind of expertise that is required for diagnosis and treatment plans.

It is great to outline the broad principles required in answering tough questions but it is more useful and helpful for the audience to hear what a suggested model answer would be like.

Firstly, i would like to congratulate you for the great video, it raised a few but keystone questions to why i'm thinking to be a medical doctor, and not a nurse. Some background from me: I'm a fourth year nursing student at Portugal (our curriculums have 4 years to get Licence degree on Nursing), and i always wanted to be at Med School, however, my grades at the end of high school didn't fulfill the minimal requirements to enter. My passion for the human body, the relationship the other people, made me try Nursing School (NS). And i must say, before being at NS i never truly understood what's the role of a nurse, and the amazing job, and somewhat undervalued (at least in Portugal), without reasoning. As the Dr. say: "Nursing is vital". This year (2016), after my graduation, i will try to enter Med School by a "Special Contest for licentiates related to Human Health", and one of the pre-requirements is an interview, with an interview panel, and it's based on a motivation letter that i need to send previously. If you have other tips, since you probably had also an interview, make another video talking about it (what were the questions? the interview panel was "harsh" on you, with difficult questions ("heavy ambience")? what type of apparel did you wore - e.g.: tie, suit?) why exactly you went to Med School, and not, let's say, Psychology School? And if you could, being this the most important for me nowadays, what good topics do you consider to write on my motivational letter? Thanks for the good tips once again, and for the amazing channel! :)

Hello James Thank you taking the time to publish this video to help people like me think laterally about the various types of questions that I could be asked. After watching your video I did my research and thought I might publish my thoughts on this question to hear your feedback and to help others perhaps generate their own ideas. Firstly I enjoy investigating and finding the root cause of problems. As a doctor I can diagnose and prescribe whilst taking overall responsibility for the patient. Nurses do not have the overall responsibility for instigating the care plan however they are absolutely essential for the successful implementation of the care plans that doctors prescribe. Studying medicine at University will provide me with a broader and more in depth study of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology that I won't be able to study to the same extent as the 3 year undergraduate degree in nursing. Whilst I will have the opportunity to carry out research as a nurse it is the doctor that takes overall responsibility for the research and I would relish the opportunity to lead my own research particularly into glioblastomas working in teams with nurses. Lastly my future aspiration is to become a neurosurgeon. The study of medicine would enable me to continue my education on the CT programme for neurosurgery. Please let me know what you think of my answer and thank you once again for taking the time to help students get through the gruelling application process.

I did 2 years of my nurse training but didn't complete due to ill health. I later went back and studied biomedical science with the hopes of getting into medicine. I often felt there were times as a nursing student my hands were tied when it came to patient treatment. Even speaking to some of my friends who are senior level nurses now, they feel the same.

Thanku very much , doctor

Great video! I finally have an answer for this question lol. Would you be able to make a video on how to approach ethical questions? Thank you!

Bravo for making this video: it really approaches the question in a relevant and helpful manner. I am about to enter upper sixth at the moment and would really appreciate some advice on how to best prepare for medical school (apart from attaining high grades, getting work experience at hospitals and preparing for the medical admission tests) Please could you explain how you applied, where and, what medical school really involves so I hopefully know more about what I'm getting myself into; especially as I only decided to apply for medicine quite late into my studies I feel I may be at a disadvantage. Thank you!

You are so smooth. Gifted? English socialization? Practiced? All three?

I love learning about the human body and if I am going to prescribe medication and expand my scope of practice then I would like to understand how the body works from a cellular level. I am currently completing nursing and I love the sciences. I am naturally inquisitive and I love learning. I feel that 6-7 years of studying sciences at undergraduate level will give me that extra knowledge. I am also fascinated with anaesthetics and drugs. In Australia there is a shortage of rural medical practitioners and I love the idea of being a rural medical generalist. When I want to solve a problem I always turn to science first whether it is the biological or the psychological sciences. Nursing approaches problems from a social science perspective however having studied Psychology I tend to approach problems from a scientific point of view. I also want to be with other people who love science as much as I do.

well done

Hi, I live in Australia, I'm 19 and since I was little I've wanted to work in healthcare. At about aged 15 or 16, I decided I wanted to become a doctor. This decision was based on my desire not so much merely to carry out actions, but to plan, make decisions, diagnosis, analyse people and disease processes and for a job that was more mentally demanding than nursing. I love to be constantly thinking, constantly analyzing, constantly looking for information. That's why I have always thought I would make an alright doctor. That said, I was never and wont be for some time in any position to enter medical school until I have a bachelor degree. And so I went into nursing, I have weeks where I love it, and weeks where i have my doubts. Do you think having the nursing background will help or hinder me should I ever decide to go to medical school? PS. I was going to enter a bio med diploma, but mother pointed out to me that that in of itself had no job prospects and that someone like me might not even enjoy it, and that it was important for someone like me to have an income, an enjoyable fallback job and opportunities for growth and development which nursing does have, I agreed with her and that brought me to nursing, I do not regret the decision however I wonder a lot as to whether or not my desire to get to the bottom of things, and my very much clinical and medical mode of thinking will work against me as a nurse and whether I might be better suited to the medical profession. I hope you can help. Indi.

Hi Dr. O'Donovan, please suggest some really tricky medical school interviews and how to answer / tackle / approach them, thank you.

Cambridge! I live in England and it has always been my dream to go to Cambridge (for over 10 years!) to read Medicine. I am in my first year of sixth form, and I really appreciate your videos!

Hi, I was wondering how you would formulate an answer for why not pharmacy.

hi, seen as you go to Cambridge university, could you give me advice if it is a great place to study medicine. or should I look elsewhere

His accent 😍😅

could you explain how to answer the question, " what could medicine do for me"

how can I apply to london univesity admission , visa, what about a fees struchar.

Am just asking doctor ...can one study medical laboratory science and become a medical doctor??

God vidoe

I am going to start A level in this September. I would like to become a doctor . What all the books i have to read apart from subjects. How to prepare BMAT and GMAT. please give me more tips.

hello, i actually need help in what are your flaws please thank you

I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION!!! NOT AT ANY SCHOOL THAT INTERVIEWED ME!!!!!!!!! Stop Stressing about it