Originally Posted by cjkatc
Hello all! I'm new to this site...and from the looks of all of the information here there has got to be someone out there that can give me some insight!
I have a Bachelor's in Athletic Medicine but I'm looking for a career change into nursing. I have been debating between going towards an entry-level Master's program to be an NP (or CNS) or just getting another Bachelor's degree to be an RN. I can't tell you how long I have been struggling with this decision!! Every time I lean towards the Master's program I wonder if because I would have to choose a specialty, would I be limiting myself to one specific field? On the other hand, will I be content with another Bachelor's? Is there anyone out there that chose one over the other and had second thoughts? Or does it even matter?
I've heard that the NP field has become over-saturated? If I choose the Master's option, would CNS be a better option?
Any help...opinions...advice would be fantastic!!
Dear cjkatc,
I can say from experience that Karen's advice is right on the mark. I hold a BA in communications and worked many years in the field. After much research, I decided to pursue nursing. I almost attended an accelerated program that would take me directly into a MSN, but the financial investment was risky in my opinion, so I opted for my much less expensive community college. Now I am faced with getting my bachelor's, but in the 3 years since I started this pursuit, the options for completing your bachelor's online have grown, so I consider that a plus.
I originally thought peds would be my area of focus, but after working in the hospital setting and graduating this spring, I've taken a job in critical care. I love the intensity, the responsibility, and the in-depth knowledge required. CC fits my personality; med/surg doesn't. Having floated to med/surg and spent most of my clinical time there, I can tell you that much of your time will be spent juggling 7 patients. If you are the "investigative" type, like me, understanding all aspects about your patient's illness is very interesting. In addition, during my peds clinical rotation, I realized that while I like kids, it was very difficult for me to relate well to the parents and kids. I would suggest that you take a serious look at what core aspects about athletic medicine you liked and build upon it.
I hear debate on the oversaturation of NPs, but just this last year, I've noticed more job openings on hospital websites. (I live near a major city, so your mileage may vary in this respect.) Perhaps you could call nurse recruiters and ask about NP positions in the past and present. Check with your any local or state-wide nurse associations. They may have a pulse on the job market.
Sorry this turned into a longer message than I had originally intended. Hoped it helped some.
Classicaldreams
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In search of advice...MSN vs. RN
