addicted to education after graduation?

[nadia562002]

I just got done with 5 years of college in May. As I was getting ready to graduate, myself and many others like me had a bad case of senioritis. Following graduation, we all studied like crazy to pass the NCLEX. THen came orientation to the new job. I found that I love reading articles in the nursing journals despite not being required to do it anyone anymore to get a requirement fulfilled.

I now work at a major teaching hospital located on a college campus. I am feeling a little sad that I am not a student anymore. I am finding that I love being in school and all the reading that went with it. I feel like such a geek actually missing school and being a student. Does anyone else feel this way?

[nekhismom]

NOOOO!!!! Well, I am still in school, so I guess it just hasn't hit me yet. But I completely understand what you are saying, because I am feeling apprehensive just thinking about what is going to happen after graduation. I feel like all I know how to do now is be a student, mom and sister/guardian. So, give me about 5 months, and then I am sure I will be feeling the same way. Maybe you can persue your MS?? Good luck!

[Katnip, RN]

Nadia, I feel the same way. I'm still looking things up, reviewing textbooks, reading journals, and trying to decide when to take the GRE for grad school.

Our state doesn't require CEUs, so I asked an administrator if it's a good idea to take them anyway, and she looked at me like I'm some kind of nut.

[USA987, MSN, RN, NP]

YESSSS.....one of the reasons I chose to go into nursing is that you can never quit learning!!!!

[PediRN]

my boss has 3 bachelors, 3 masters and a PhD. Now she's taking her dog to "advanced obedience training". Methinks she's obsessed.

[cwazycwissyRN, RN]

Originally posted by USA987

YESSSS.....one of the reasons I chose to go into nursing is that you can never quit learning!!!!

AGREE!!!!!!! When I loose the desire to continue learning and reading with a passion, I hope I will also discontinue nursing.

[rosemadder]

When I graduated in May awaiting to take boards, I did 20+ hours of continuing education that was offered through my employer. Then I signed up for the Fall semester at a local college and am now taking two classes this first semester and will get back to a full schedule in the Spring. I plan to attend school until I have my doctorate (if I am still able to make it to school)--I'll be pretty old by then. I adore learning and I plan to get every kind of certificate available to me as a new RN while still attending school!!!

[MICU RN]

If you truly enjoy learning please consider going back to at least a masters level in nursing, so that you can get to the better jobs.

You will never regret get more education and trust me the job duties will get much better if you become a NP, CRNA OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF apn.

[Nyrn]

what about this online bsn-msn courses are they any good ones out there

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Nadia,

I so agree with you. Now that we don't HAVE to read this or that book, or do papers, it's much more enjoyable to read the journals and do our own research just because we want to!

The medical center that you and I work at is incredible and I love how everyone is so geared towards learning and furthering themselves and others. How's the cardiac floor going?

I just got done with the first week of orientation and will start on the floor on Tue. We still have to get together!! Sorry I've been bad at this but once my schedule gets hammered out, I'll let you know.

[kimmicoobug]

I am totally enjoying not HAVING to study. I work, seemingly every night, and this stress is so much better than the stress of school. I have actually come home looking up my patient's dx so that I can be better at caring for them (Non-Hodgkin's, and leukemia). I am reading this stuff because I am interested and retaining more because I am putting it in practice, instead of studying for a test. I, too, love learning and love the school environment, but it is time to take a break. I have two children that I have ignored for the past 3 years, and now it is their time. When my two year old goes off to kindergarten, then my education can continue.

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

I love learning too. I know that in a few years I will end right back in school futhering my education.

Personally I feel anyone who goes into nursing with the intentions of never looking at another nursing journal or book ever again after they graduated and passed boards is making a HUGE mistake. You can NOT go into a field like nursing and stop learning. You should keep learning something for as long as you are in the profession. Personally I think it is a HUGE mistake that every state does NOT require CEU's. I happen to be in a state that do NOT require CEU's but once I get my license I will be looking for CEU's. The hospital I work at don't even encourage them either except individual mangers do encourage their staff to take them up but they are few and far in between at the hospital I work for.