[NESS2bNURSE]

Hi Everyone:
This is my first post in the NICU section. I have always wanted to be a NICU nurse and I am having trouble deciding the best way to get there. Sorry to post in this forum, but I figure that you have all made it here so you would be the best to ask. I am 33 and already have a BA in Psychology(graduated in 1996) and an MBA (graduated in 2000). I had my second baby in January and it just lit the fire under me again to be a nurse. I'm driving my husband crazy about this, so I need other people to discuss it with. I have two decisions to make:

1) Second BSN or MSN direct entry? I can get into the ABSN without much problem, but the school is not as well respected (71% NCLEX pass rate) as the school that has the MSN degree (96% pass rate). I do eventually want to get my MSN, but it is very hard to get into and I have no idea what my chances are. There is another BSN option through the University of Oklahoma which is online (theory) and onsite clinical with a local hospital that is recognized by my bon. Now that I have 2 kids under 5, I'm just not sure how I will do in school and I don't want to ruin my chances of getting into an MSN program later (I have a 3.82 now). Just not sure what to do....any advice would be appreciated.

2) I have the ability to volunteer at a local hospital in the NICU or get an entry level part time clerical job in the NICU at our local children's hospital (I would eventually like to work in either one of the hospitals). Which one should I do? The money won't be great at the part time job, but it might get me into the unit I want to work. The volunteering on the other hand would make me feel like I am doing something to make a difference while being exposed to the unit and staff. What would you do?
I have volunteered in the NICU before (long time ago) and loved it. I know this is what I want to do, just want to make the best decisions to get there.

Thank you in advance for any input that you have.
Ness
29 weeker in 1974 and made it!

[LilPeanut]

Go for the clerking, IMO. I was a clerk, then a PCA and now a nurse (eventually an NNP) Was so much easier to get hired as a nurse since I already worked on the unit. "So, you're getting your license soon? Tell us when you can start".

I personally went the direct entry route, but it was very very tough those pre-licensure years. I felt like I never saw my family. It's nice that now I only work 40 hours a week!

[juliachloe]

I would do the clerk position also, paid foot in the door always helps. And you're getting paid. Plus most of the time you'll be able to do your homework while you work. I was bored most of the time with my homework already finished.

As far as the BSN vs. MSN, I would go BSN. Nobody cares about where you get your BSN from. All they care about is that you pass the NCLEX. I used to think that I would have an edge with a BSN over an associates but the associates had more time and grade than me. Granted I learned the reasons why we do the things we do, which not all associate degrees get but they still have the clinical time. If you go straight to MSN you won't have any bedside nursing other than what you got in clinicals. Bedside nursing is important. It gives you experience in your field. I've worked with MSN's that have been bedside nurses and those that haven't where they are straight out of school. And I'll tell you I'd rather work with the one that's been in the trenches with me. Not only because she's been where I have but mostly because she's got the applied critical thinking skills when it comes to those sticky situations - she's not just book-smart. That goes for any MSN whether it's NNP, CNS, or nursing director - you're more likely to get the respect if you've done your time. Then your staff knows that you know what you're talking about. You shouldn't be ruining your chances at getting into MSN later. If anything there should be more places offering an MSN in the future. GOOD LUCK!

[LilPeanut]

I will interject that if you go the direct entry route, that you do not necessarily have to have a lack of bedside nursing experience. In my direct entry class, nearly all of us have gotten jobs as bedside nurses before completing our msns.

[NESS2bNURSE]

Thank you so much for your responses. I do eventually want to go the NNP direction, but it is way off. I want to get a lot of experience before I go that way. I am leaning toward the second BSN only because I have two very young kids and we have no outside support (no family around to help) and I can do the classes 3 days/nights a week for 15 months.
As for the clerical support job, I think I'll send in my resume and see what happens. I am looking for a night job (i'm home with the kids during the day), so hopefully it will work out.

Thank you again for your time...I really admire what you do and hope one day to call myself a NICU nurse too.

Vanessa

[nnp2be]

LilPeanut -
Sorry, don't know the best way to do this...
I'm looking for more information about the grad entry program at OSU, and I noticed in your post you are from Ohio. Any chance that is where you went? If so, I would LOVE to ask you some more questions. I'm currently in the midst of applying for next fall. If you have some time and would be willing to email, could you send me an email at fuller.jenn@gmail.com so that I could ask you off the message board?

Thanks!!!