pediatrics and policy

[soulshine]

Hi everyone...

i have a BA in political science (just graduated last may) but at looking to enter the nursing field and am currently applying to schools. while nursing seems like a far cry from politics, i am actually interested in the possibilities of the intersection of the two, particularly as it pertains to children's health. (i am especially interested in health development of children ages 0-3). i have two questions related to this:

1) does anyone know of any positions that sound like they may be appropriate for me? i am interested in doing pediatric nursing to begin with, but i am also curious about the possibilities of using my advocacy abilities in the future.

2) is a direct entry program to be a PNP a bad idea? i know that many nurses are unimpressed with the directy entry masters programs, and suggest nursing experience before going on, but i am not really anxious to just get another bachelor's degree, especially as i know the kind of population i am interested in working with.

ooh this is getting long-- sorry!, and thanks!

[bergren]

I agree with not getting two Baccalaureate degrees - there are many Master's entry programs now that build on your original undergraduate program. If you did not anticipate this as a career as you selected your undergraduate electives, you will have quite a few courses to take as prerequisites.

I agree also that political science and a nursing degree is an interesting combination. I am interested in how you are thinking of combining the PNP and health policy. I am not an NP and you might contact NAPNAP and study their web page http://www.napnap.org/ to help articulate your goals prior to admission interviews and essays.

There are many universities that have faculty that are very involved with health policy and I'd encourage you to seek such a place. If you go to a program that is geographically convenient, that does not have that expertise within the faculty, you may find yourself frustrated.