furthering my education...

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I just wanted some advise from fellow RNs in what I should do. I am a recent grad from a community college and obtained my Associates in nursing, passed my NCLEX (yeah) and will start as a med/surg nurse this month. I also have a B.A. in Spanish that I got from a university back in 1999. I would like to work in med/surg for about two years and then go to ICU or Cardiac care as well as further my education. I'm not sure it I should get my B.S.N or, because I have a B.A. already, get a M.S.N as a clinical nurse specialist. There are many programs out there that I can choose from, however, I'm having touble deciding if I should get another Baccal. or get a Master's. What is your advise?

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Hey Twizum

Wow, I wish I had your bi-lingual skills. I thought I was SO COOL taking German in college.

My moment of decision that relates to you question was when I realized that I was reaching a point of some high competency as an ICU nurse at a University Hospital. The University would virtually give me the chance to get my MSN (called a 'Generic Masters'). But the jobs available at the time for MSNs involved Pt/Staff education or Nursing Administration. I thought about it---but decided I loved actually taking care of sick people so much, and I hated the BS of Admin so much--that I had no real reason to trouble myself with a second helping of NursingInstructors and NursingSchool.

So here's the question for you to answer: Did you really love Nursing School? If so--get your MSN. Do you really love working within the bureaucracy? If so--get your MSN. Do you really love taking care of sick people? Screw the MSN.

Papaw John

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.
Hey Twizum

Wow, I wish I had your bi-lingual skills. I thought I was SO COOL taking German in college.

I actually got to use my German once at the hospital. The woman spoke English, of course, but her eyes lit up when she realized that someone could converse with her (barely) in her native language.

No one in high school or college could ever figure out my love of the German language, but you're right--Spanish is so much more useful!;)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did the ADN to BSN to MSN to post-MSN route. After taking care of patients in the ER for several years, I realized that the physical stress was not something I could continue to deal with for another 25 years until retirement. My problem was that I didn't know what I wanted to do. So...I decided to pursue an MSN with the idea that I could then go into admin, management or I could teach. I got done with my MSN and realized that management wasn't what I wanted to do. So...I went back for a post-MSN adult health clinical nurse specialist. I start my first APN position tomorrow btw.

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