As soon as I leave Taiwan...BSN/MSN?

[girl.w/useless.b.a.]

So, teaching? Definitely not my thing. I need to help people, not babysit rich kids.

Anyway, I've been looking into some nursing programs, and it seems like - with the B.A. I already - the best way to go is probably either an accelerated BSN or possibly and MEPN. Or better yet, the combined BSN/MSN. I already know I want to work in an acute care setting, but now I have to figure out how to get there.

I REEEALLY want to go to Columbia, but I have no clue what my chances are with my 3.23. Of course, that GPA doesn't count the prerequisites I haven't taken yet. I would love to hear someone tell me what my chances are.

On top of that, I've heard it's a good idea to get certified as a nurse aide first, and gain some experience working part-time as a CNA while going to school. Does anyone have an opinion on that?

I'd love to hear what people have to say. I'm the child of teachers. This is all totally foreign to me right now.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Figure out where you want to go and get your prerequisites done first. Some places require fairly few, like DePaul's Master's-Entry, though most ABSN and GEM/Direct-Entry/Master's-Entry programs require quite a bit. If you're a foreign student, also make sure your credits will transfer to the school(s) you're applying to.

As for getting your CNA and working first, you could do that, or you could find other ways to expose yourself to the hospital setting, such as volunteering in a hospital ward, or becoming certified as an EMT and working as a tech.

[jjjoy, LPN]

How much have you researched nursing? I taught in Taiwan for awhile AFTER getting my BSN as I discovered that I didn't really like clinical nursing and at the same time had an opportunity to teach abroad, so I took it. I enjoyed teaching a lot but didn't want to make a career of it so moved back to the US.

I hated moving back without with a clear plan of action such as acceptance to a grad program. I even took the GRE while in Taiwan. But I had to acknowledge that I didn't really know what I wanted to do and didn't want to end up with yet another degree that I didn't use.

When I moved back to the US, it was tough looking for work since I didn't have a clear job goal and qualifications - such as teaching or nursing or accounting. But I did eventually land a job in health information, which allowed me to still be involved with the health care field, which had always interested me. Now I've got a job managing data for a hospital department and really enjoy my work. So, for me, I think it was a good thing that I didn't insist on getting into grad school on my return to the US.

Nursing may be just the thing for you. But, as you'll see on these boards, it's a mixed bag that doesn't often match up with what people imagine it to be. I'd suggest getting more exposure to it and determining what you plan to do with your degree and license before investing the time and money. Just my opinion. Take it or leave it!

Good luck to you!!!!

[girl.w/useless.b.a.]

Thanks. That's good advice. I know I need to expose myself to the healthcare field more before I jump into grad school. It's why I know I should do something like becoming a CNA (or an EMT) first, and get an idea of what I can and cannot handle. However, I have a year and a half of getting prerequisites done, and if I decide I hate it, I'll try for something else. I've done quite a bit of research though, and I'm 90% certain that nursing is for me.

All I know is that I cannot be a teacher for the rest of my life. I can't handle parents blaming me for their child's inability to study or do homework on me.

And I'm an American working in Taiwan right now. So...yay. No TOEFL for me.