[melrose85]

Hello! I was in an accelerated BSN program, but I left in order to pursue medical school. Now I'm questioning my decision.

I want to go into international public health, providing some clinical care but mainly working to design and implement various public health projects such as immunization campaigns, antimalarial programs, managing a health clinic in a refugee camp, etc. In the US, I could see myself as a public health nurse along the border or in American Indian reservations.

However, I am worried that it may be hard to obtain the kind of jobs] I want overseas with an RN/MPH and not an MD/MPH. Also, I feel like MD's have much more credibility overseas than RN's. And I wanted the ability to diagnose. I also didn't really like the idea of being a floor nurse in a hospital. That's why I switched to a premed program.

But now I"m thinking that medicine isn't the best field for me. I feel like it is too long of a program (7 years) and will take me away from working in the field w/ the people. I like patient education and caring for patients, which is a HUGE part of nursing, but I also like the pathophys/diagnosing stuff. And I want time for a life outside of my career.

Aaah. so to make a long story/question short- do you all know any nurses who are doing the kind of international work I want to do? How long did it take them to get there? Would it be harder in today's job market? How are US trained nurses perceived overseas?

Thanks!!!

[lauren728]

Have you thought about a NP/MPH... they have many accelerated programs now... just a thought. I don't really know anyone doing international work, but at least an NP program would be much shorter than an MD program.