Post ADN options "because" ADN isn't enough

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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I'm a career changer due to a job loss (teaching). I have a BA and two MS degrees (one in an applied science field and the other in secondary education). I'm 37. I graduated last May (with a 3.8 I believe) and have been employed since graduation at one of the top local hospitals in a department I enjoy. BUT everyone says I need to go on... the problem is... I don't really want any of the jobs that seem to be available to me. I don't want to be a manager, do informatics or be a nurse educator. I also don't want to be a nurse practitioner (I'm ok with being told what to do - I don't want the responsibility of being a provider). So what do I do? Since I came to nursing a little older I can see that down the not-too-distant road I might not want to be on my feet 12 hrs a day. I'd like options when that time comes but right now, when I have to make a decision, I have no burning desire for any of the end points for my post ADN schooling...

Any tips?

Thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You may want to keep an ear to the ground about the hospital requiring a BSN to remain employed- mine is pretty much saying that if you don't have a BSN by 12/31/2019, you won't have a job on 1/1/2020. There has been a rush of older nurses with ADNs and diplomas who are looking at online RN-to-BSN programs. While perhaps not needed at this point, you may need it in the future should you decide to change jobs.

I have no current plans to leave the bedside, but I have completed an MSN education degree so that in the future when I do want to move away from the bedside, I already have the education completed. I've already had one temporary adjunct job and am looking for another- it's nice to use the information from my degree and earn the extra money. Just saying that higher education opens up more doors than not.

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Ditto what Rose Queen recommended. As a minimum, obtain a BSN at this point to broaden your opportunities, but more importantly, to take the stress of not meeting future minimum mandates off your mind. Once you have a BSN (or MSN if you decide upon an ASN to MSN program), you will have a better vantage point all the way around.

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Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'm hesitant to bother with a BSN and then stop. If I'm going to do anything a bridge program to an MSN seems like the best path but I don't (yet) have the interest in "being" any of the things an MSN will prepare me for. Which MSN would provide the most open-ended opportunity? I guess maybe that is my question... :)

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Specializes in Psych.

I'd recommend doing an ADN-BSN (I completed UTA's online RN-BSN in less than a year because of credits from previous degrees - also a career changer). The bridge programs cost more money and take more time than that BSN did for me, and it was an instant (small) raise at work.

If you enjoyed teaching, I'd look at some of the adjunct online jobs and strongly consider an MSN-Education.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

Have you looked into MSN, CNL (Clinical Nurse Leader)?

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Thanks for the CNL option - hadn't realized that even existed.

Today I'm leaning towards getting a BSN :) Over 4 years, potentially for free with tuition reimbursement...

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