Hello!

I am in a state of 'I don't know' because currently I am enrolled at a university in Ohio and when I finish I will have a degree in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I have been wanting to enter into Public Health but when looking at some of the jobs and requirements I come across a lot of things that deal with nursing. Nursing was something that was in the back of my mind to do but because so many folks in my family are nurses I did not want to keep the trend going. Nonetheless, I have begun to look into nursing and have found it to be rewarding. However, I amwanting to start taking pre reqs and being from Cleveland I most likely will start with Tri-C and hopefully make it into Cleveland State or Kent State (for nursing school) though I would love to move out of state. Then, I would like to complete an MPH in Health education/health promotion. However, my question is did anyone else come into nursing with a similar story? should I just go on to get the MPH and then nursing? I will be graduating in Spring 2016 and am trying to figure that out.

Also, would enter the field because I enjoy helping people and learning about others. I would not get into the field for money purposes or to get "hot dates".

LOL! 'Hot Dates' *wipes eyes and catches breath* I must have missed that part of our profession completely. I can definitely see the appeal.... alluring scrubs with various ambiguous stains ..... titillating orthopedic shoes .... casual 'I've been working 12 hours with not even a potty break' hairdo . . . yeah, it makes sense.

Admission to the nursing programs you have mentioned is Uber-competitive. You probably need to consider a Plan B in case you aren't accepted right away. But, if your true passion is public health, I am wondering why you don't just continue to follow that path. Is it because you are seeing more jobs for nurses?

(giggle, snort - Hot Dates) ... sorry, that just hit me right in the funny bone.

Also, would enter the field because I enjoy helping people and learning about others. I would not get into the field for money purposes or to get "hot dates".

Psssst: here's a secret. It actually IS ok to go into nursing because you would like to make a decent salary. We don't let that out there much because it interferes with our Florence Nightengale image.

I'm under the impression that public health nursing jobs are kind of "cozy" and difficult to get without years and years of experience. I'm not sure, though...