Where to go from here?

Moogie · Jul 18, 2009

What are my best choices after ASN?

I don't want to start another one of "those" threads, I am truly looking for ideas. I am 46, will finish up my ASN in December, and need advice on where to go afterward.

For instance, I know I do not want to be a floor nurse the rest of my career (due to already having leg and back issues), and I haven't really THAT much more time till retirement! :)
Our instructor has already said that even the Unit Managers at the hospitals have to have their Master's.

What are some things I CAN do and what will it take to get there?

Advice? Ideas?

There are several RN to MSN programs, many online, that could prepare you for roles in nursing management or education.

However, if you really enjoy LTC, you may find your niche in something other than a staff nurse position. You might be a manager, an assessment coordinator, an MDS coordinator, a staff development coordinator or a shift supervisor. You could also become an ADON or DON, all possible in LTC with an associate's degree. Please be aware, though, that it is better to have a bit of floor experience as a staff nurse before taking on any of these roles. Sometimes LTC facilities hire brand new grads into these kinds of positions and it can be very overwhelming to simply adjust to being an RN without having to adjust to learning how to supervise, etc.

Hey---46 isn't old! You're just a young-un!

lamazeteacher · Jul 18, 2009

I agree with Moogie. It's important to grasp where you are now, in order to get a sense of where you'd like to be. I've known nurses with a trail of initials after their names, indicating that they love to learn, yet still had no idea what direction to take for the satisfaction they crave.

Especially in nursing, the very act of giving care is something that will either give you success or leave you wanting more. I thought I'd like psychiatric nursing, and went directly into that upon graduating from a 3 year program. I couldn't stand it, because at that time, nurses weren't allowed to speak to patients, just give their medications, listen and write down their observations. That made me realize that being actively involved in my work is important for me. Getting a sense of who I am - who you are, is essential.

From that, I went to work nights in the ER. My favorite night, was when I had only one patient, (it was a small suburban hospital) whose psychiatric problems created a crisis, which he was able to see after we talked for some time. He was ready to work with a therapist when morning came! In everything else I've done, and I have done a lot of different things, my love of working with people at a crossroads in their lives was involved in the physical care I gave, and couseling.

That's what drew me to work in OB, teach childbirth classes, work in Infection Control, Employee Health, Home Health and "Inservice" Education over the almost 50 years that I've been in nursing. I have a restless mind, and unique opportunities (right place, right time) kept me changing work situations; and after having established a method/system of dealing with them, or upon seeing that I was more suited doing something else. However, no matter what else I did during the day, I kept teaching expectant parents evenings, as I love nothing more than planting "seeds" regarding effective, loving relationships.

I went to University to get my degree when it seemed that in Public Health I could reach more people, do more disease prevention work, and see them as whole individuals, in their home settings. It happened that universal care in Canada started where I worked first. Now I want to have something to do with its implementation here. I'm convinced that the right situation will come up for me, as well as for you.

You'll find your way after you immerse yourself in aspects of nursing that appeal to you, and in which you get a sense of your capabilities. Trust your inner self, to see opportunities as they come along, and take the steps needed to be/do/have that.

Harleyhead · Jul 19, 2009

You could try a diferent career. or you could take your nurse training and work as a nurse. Try it you might like it.

ClinicalJunkie · Jul 19, 2009

I'm 43 and have been a nurse for two years. While in school I was adamant that I was NOT going to do med-surg - hated it during clinicals. I started out in long-term care, which was a great place to start - but I didn't want to lose my skills. During school I precepted in an ER and just knew that was where I belonged. However, I found it hard to get into an ER without any real experience. Grrrrrrrr! I bit the bullet and took a med-surg job, and now I have to say it's the best thing I ever did! I don't plan on staying there forever, but the knowledge I have gained has been invaluable. I used to scoff at nurses who said I needed a year or two in med-surg before I specalized, but now I totally agree. It totally opens your eyes to everything that is out there, not only r/t putting what we learned in school into action, but to the paths you can take. Me...my screen name says it all...I'm a junkie! lol I love to get my hands into things. I want to learn how to put in PICCs, assist docs with in-room procedures, take out the sutures, change the wound vacs. I love the efficiency required for doing procedures. Everything I've seen in the last two years has revealed this buried passion to me. Maybe I'll be able to get my foot in the door in surgery. Who knows. So my point is...be patient, just work and soak it all in...it will come to you when the time is right.