Anyone else having second thoughts?

Hi there. Are you interested in working in a lab and doing research? I would think that many of your classes from the biology degree will "count" towards your pre-reqs. for the ADN program. (I also have a biology degree, but graduated many years ago and needed to retake some classes).

Are you also interested in pursuing a master's degree in biology? I was always under the impression that a master's degree was needed for any (science) position beyond cleaning glassware.

Yes, that's what I'm interested in doing. A lot of my classes do count, but there are a few that I haven't taken that aren't offered at my school or that I wasn't able to take (ex. I've taken physiology but we don't have anatomy, we don't have nutrition, I couldn't get into developmental psych, etc.). If I were going to school full time (not working in a lab), I would be able to complete the pre-reqs in 1 or 2 semesters.

The jobs that I am applying for are part of a program at the U of Minnesota called the Junior Scientist jobs, and they require only a bachelors. The jobs are part being a lab lackey, and part actually working on experiments. They are designed to get your feet wet in the science field without a ton of extra schooling. There are also several positions for things like research associates that don't need anything beyond a bachelors.

As to whether I'm interested in pursuing a higher biology degree, the answer to that is, unfortunately, I have no idea. I feel so torn between two things that I am very interested in. It's a little scary.

Pursue research! It's not a great career choice but it's an excellent experience to have for a few years. It will majorly sharpen your critical thinking skills and it's nice to have a break between one school program and another.

You can combine them and become a research nurse! Look into it. :)

I don't know how old you are but will guess that you are early 20s. I would really go where you have an interest or passion. I think that if you decide to get back onto the nursing track in 2, 5 or 10 years, you will have so much more experience and knowledge to draw from that will make you more valuable. You might even find science more interesting and never go into nursing.

Yes, I'm turning 22 on Friday.