[BA.LVN]

Hello, I am a new member here! I am a new LVN graduate looking for work in local clinics. I would really like to get into community health nursing, however, I have my bachelors in Art. I was planning on going back to school for my RN, but where I'm at geographically, it's kinda hard (bay area, CA). The schools are really impacted and waiting lists are kinda long. I still MIGHT check into local junior colleges. However, I was thinking of going for my Masters in Public Health straight as an LVN....b/c I DO have my bachelors. Most schools only require 2 years of health-related experience....whether it be work or volunteering. I am 27 years old and thinking of starting a family in the next two years as well. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated! I do want to get my RN.....not sure if I should do that before the masters or after....

Thanks!

[EricEnfermero]

Have you pinpointed exactly what position you would like to hold and determined how the MPH would help you?

If the job is in public health nursing itself, I can't see an MPH being of much benefit without RN licensure.

[BA.LVN]

I was thinking more in clinical research, however, I'm still considering just getting my AA in nursing (RN) for now and then getting my masters. I'm just glad I have my BA so that serves as a stepping stone I guess.

[runner12]

Your situation is very similar to my own. I am an LVN in the military, I have a BA, and I am going to be finishing my MPH within the next few months. My next step is ADN. I currently work nursing administration, and unfortunately, the military doesn't really care about me having an MPH. Unless I have my RN licensure, I cannnot work in public health.

[BA.LVN]

Wow, interesting....so there ARE others out there in my situation. Props to you for going onto your RN after you MPH! I would LOVE to do that too, but I am really burnt out on school and need some experience....plus I need to start paying off my loan for my LVN. I have a few questions, if you wouldn't mind answering them....

1. What made you go for MPH instead of your RN first?
2. Do you not want to do bedside nursing?
3. I thought you needed your BSN to be a public health nurse? (officially)\
4. What MPH program did you attend and would you recommend it and how long did it take you?
5. What is your BA in?
6. Career goals?
7. Past nursing experience?

I'm so sorry for the "20 questions." I'm just a grad student who is "searching" for her niche. I really have no desire to work in a hospital. I want to do community/clinic/public health...and then move onto something like health education/disease prevention....maybe research. I always hear the RN opens up so many doors. I'm debating on whether I should just for for my BSN or ADN. Blah....too many choices and sooooo much school!

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read (and hopefully reply back too..haha!)

Good luck and I admire your perseverance!

[sincere1782]

hello, wow your situation is very similar to mine as well. I graduated with my bachelors in public relations in 2006 and have been taking a break before i take on my next steps. I also want get my master's in Public health and then get an lpn license however i don't know which one to do first. I considered getting my master's online and then go on to get either an associates degree in nursing or my lpn.
The downside to that is that i am a little scary about going to school online because i want my degree to be accrediated and would be highly disappointed if i paid all of the money and got my degree only to find that it is not legitamate. The good thing about being an lpn is that it doesn't take as long and in case i can't finish my rn i will always have that to fall back on. I guess i was just happy to see that i wasn't the only one trying to attempt this.

[BA.LVN]

Yeah, it's crazy. I did the BA, then LVN school b/c I knew how much of a wait it can be to get into nursing school for the RN. At least as an LVN I can work and maybe even work for a company that will pay for my RN education down the line. I have also decided to forgo the MPH until AFTER my RN. I've done some more research and there's actually more opportunities in non-bedside nursing (which is what I want to do) for someone with as an RN than someone as and LVN with an MPH. I will look into doing my MPH down the line, if that's still something I want to pursue. But if I want to work at an insurance company, or in public health, or even in research, I think the RN degree will allow me to do all of that, whereas the MPH might would probably not. Anyways, that's just what I'm thinking. Whereabouts are you located? And what made you want to do nursing so soon after obtaining your bachelor's?

[runner12]

My situation is: I finished my BA and enlisted in the Army. Initially I was a medic and eventually went to the Army's LPN course. For years I tried to get into nursing schools, but for some reason I just couldn't get accepted. I didn't my MPH for that reason. I am currently looking into Excelsior's LPN to RN/ADN program. I live in Tacoma, and there are nursing schools, but do to the Army "mission" finding time is difficult.

Tim

[runner12]

[quote=BA.LVN;2857509]Wow, interesting....so there ARE others out there in my situation. Props to you for going onto your RN after you MPH! I would LOVE to do that too, but I am really burnt out on school and need some experience....plus I need to start paying off my loan for my LVN. I have a few questions, if you wouldn't mind answering them....

1. What made you go for MPH instead of your RN first?
2. Do you not want to do bedside nursing?
3. I thought you needed your BSN to be a public health nurse? (officially)\
4. What MPH program did you attend and would you recommend it and how long did it take you?
5. What is your BA in?
6. Career goals?
7. Past nursing experience?

I'm so sorry for the "20 questions." I'm just a grad student who is "searching" for her niche. I really have no desire to work in a hospital. I want to do community/clinic/public health...and then move onto something like health education/disease prevention....maybe research. I always hear the RN opens up so many doors. I'm debating on whether I should just for for my BSN or ADN. Blah....too many choices and sooooo much school!

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read (and hopefully reply back too..haha!)

Good luck and I admire your perseverance!

Hi BA.LVN

I decided to do my MPH because: 1) I couldn't seem to get into any nursing schools, and 2) due to my busy schedule in the Army, it simply wasn't practical at the moment. I am looking into Excelsior's program now because it is more convenient for me: plus, since I am military the exams are all free! The only thing I pay for is enrolling into the school and the final practicum. As for your second question, I am burnt out with bedside nursing. I prefer nursing education or patient teaching (hence public health nursing). Also, I have a Master's in Education which should help break me break into PH. Here is the kicker with my situation: I have my MPH through Walden University-which I didn't notice until half way through-that it is currently non-accredited. I am not worried about it because, even though the program is non-accredited the PH department I did my internship in said they would hire me in a second. Furthermore, I spoke with the CEPH (accrediting body for PH) and they stated that as long as I was a nurse, the MPH really won't hurt me...as long I have the experience. UMASS Amherst has a fully-accredited, totally online program. My BA is in English, nursing ed is my goal, and med-tel, PACU, and nursing admin is my experience.

[BA.LVN]

Wow, you have loads of education! haha Thank you so much for answering all my questions...I know it was a lengthy message. Yeah, I hear the average burnout for bedside nursing is 3 years? I've done some more thinking and I think I'm going to just go for my RN when I have the time/money and do the MPH later on (provided I am able to get into a program sooner than later). There seem to be many non-bedside nursing opportunities for the RN......so we will see.....

thanks again and good luck!