Need advice - LPN, MS - getting older - need RN to find a job???

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Hello, I am new to the forum and am hoping someone out there has some career advice for me. Let me tell you a little of my background.

I started my career in the health field by first obtaining a Dental Assistant diploma. I soon realized the occupation was much too narrow for my many interests and became an LPN. After years in psych, working with dementia patients etc. I was "burned out" so I switched to office nursing. Still unhappy I knew I enjoyed teaching and taught medical and dental assisting at proprietary colleges with much happiness, but very little pay. Obtained a BS in Health Science with a minor in management - no jobs - back to school. I now am currently completing my Masters degree in Community & Environmental Health with a duel emphasis in Health Education /Promotion and Administration. I know this is where I am happy, but again - no jobs! The hospitals with health education positions available won't even look at someone without an RN, many public health positions require an RN, and in order to teach nursing at the collegiate level one must have their RN also. I've been encouraged to seek my PhD, but two of my past professors are now roaming the country with their resumes and I don't wish to commit to 4 more years of school with little advantage. I have NO desire to narrow my career choices any further and am "almost" committed to going for my RN but...

Sure, there are PLENTY of nursing positions out there, but I will not be working in a clinical setting (physically I cannot be a floor nurse). Are there really that many jobs waiting for me in management, community health, teaching?? The questions that come up are (and if you think of any more, please voice them). Is an RN degree enough? Is an RN degree without much RN clinical experience enough? Would an RN only be a stepping-stone because I would need to have a BSN? Is this a good idea to get my RN or BSN or just more time and education? I know I won't go the traditional route and am looking into distance programs. Have any of you heard of Indiana State University distance LPN to BSN program?

Please help me if you can I need advice and just can't afford to make any more career "mistakes!!" THANK YOU ALL

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Specializes in primary/pedi/geriatrics,LTC, corrections.

Hi there,

Did you ever get any replies to your post? What did you decide to do? I am curious---I'm in my mid-40s, have a BS in animal science, am starting an AD RN nursing program in the fall. I've considered going on for ARNP but not sure if that's the route to go. Don't think I can do many many years of floor nursing, either. Am considering MS in other healthcare disciplines as well as the ARNP. What are your thoughts at this point? I live in a very rural area with limited job ops (though nurse practitioner would be available for a job most likely---they can't keep MDs very long around here and many people are low income).

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If you have a BS in another field, you can fast track to BSN in 1 year.

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Yes!!! That is an option.....Bs to BSN in one year.......

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Specializes in med/surg.

just curious who does 1 year fast track?

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.....

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Just so everyone knows - this thread originated about 18 months ago - I think the original poster is long gone. However, interesting scenario.

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anyone who wants a good career and has a BS could do the fast track BSN...sometimes 4 more years is silly.....

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just curious who does 1 year fast track?

Get online and plug in "accelerated nursing programs" in your state. Stonybrook Long Island has one.

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Hello, I am new to the forum and am hoping someone out there has some career advice for me. Let me tell you a little of my background.

I started my career in the health field by first obtaining a Dental Assistant diploma. I soon realized the occupation was much too narrow for my many interests and became an LPN. After years in psych, working with dementia patients etc. I was “burned out” so I switched to office nursing. Still unhappy I knew I enjoyed teaching and taught medical and dental assisting at proprietary colleges with much happiness, but very little pay. Obtained a BS in Health Science with a minor in management – no jobs – back to school. I now am currently completing my Masters degree in Community & Environmental Health with a duel emphasis in Health Education /Promotion and Administration. I know this is where I am happy, but again – no jobs! The hospitals with health education positions available won’t even look at someone without an RN, many public health positions require an RN, and in order to teach nursing at the collegiate level one must have their RN also. I’ve been encouraged to seek my PhD, but two of my past professors are now roaming the country with their resumes and I don’t wish to commit to 4 more years of school with little advantage. I have NO desire to narrow my career choices any further and am “almost” committed to going for my RN but…

Sure, there are PLENTY of nursing positions out there, but I will not be working in a clinical setting (physically I cannot be a floor nurse). Are there really that many jobs waiting for me in management, community health, teaching?? The questions that come up are (and if you think of any more, please voice them). Is an RN degree enough? Is an RN degree without much RN clinical experience enough? Would an RN only be a stepping-stone because I would need to have a BSN? Is this a good idea to get my RN or BSN or just more time and education? I know I won’t go the traditional route and am looking into distance programs. Have any of you heard of Indiana State University distance LPN to BSN program?

Please help me if you can I need advice and just can’t afford to make any more career “mistakes!!” THANK YOU ALL

Your best bet may be to apply to a second-degreed program/accelerated which could be another 16 months depending on your state. After which you may not necessarily have to work at the bedside or at least not for long-that's one of the benefits of having the BSN. There is a need for nurse administrators. Your education level would always set the tone for your destiny career-wise. So go for it.

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Hi there,

Did you ever get any replies to your post? What did you decide to do? I am curious---I'm in my mid-40s, have a BS in animal science, am starting an AD RN nursing program in the fall. I've considered going on for ARNP but not sure if that's the route to go. Don't think I can do many many years of floor nursing, either. Am considering MS in other healthcare disciplines as well as the ARNP. What are your thoughts at this point? I live in a very rural area with limited job ops (though nurse practitioner would be available for a job most likely---they can't keep MDs very long around here and many people are low income).

How about PA

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