Associates degree in nursing. BA in English

vanilla bean · Feb 5, 2019

8 minutes ago, Peanut5 said:
I am curious as to any words of wisdom. I aspire to eventually have a full time nursing job in a school system. I have my associates in nursing and a BA in English.. I am in my 40's and live in Massachusetts

What words of wisdom are you looking for? Are you wondering what experience and/or education you need to land a job as a school nurse? Requirements will vary by market so one thing I would suggest is to seek out job postings for the job(s) you want and see what their requirements are so you will get a better sense of what's required in your area.

In case you haven't found it yet, AN has a very active school nurse forum that you might find helpful (you can find it under the specialties header). There's also a search function which may help you find some of the info you're looking for.

Good luck

HiddencatBSN, BSN · Feb 6, 2019

Literally no one has cared about my previous, non-nursing degree since I started down this career path. It’s never counted for anything in terms of degree differential or employment requirements (A BA plus an RN is not a BSN). Idk how it is in Massachusetts but if it’s like my area, you’re a nurse with an associates degree.

If you’re asking about what it’s like to be an RN with a previous degree in English however, I think the critical thinking, communication, and creativity is super helpful. A lot of people go in to nursing from a very concrete, objective, science-based frame of mind and there’s so much subjectivity and shades of gray and balancing out competing needs that I think having a lit degree has been an asset to me.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2019

To work in public schools as a staff nurse in MA you have to have a minimum of a BSN. An RN without one may work as a substitute. Pay rates (and available hours) as a sub vary greatly from town to town.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2019

I have a BS degree in a completely different field. But that degree enabled me to get a lot of credits for my BSN in the required English, Government, History, general credits, etc. that I didn't have to mess with when I went for the BSN.

No education is wasted. It affects who you are in different, perhaps less quantifiable ways, but it does add to who you are as a person and a professional.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2019

Mods might move this to school nursing forum.

Get a couple years of nursing experience where you learn to practice safely and you have the opportunity to see a wide variety of things. The more things you see that aren't normal, the more competent you'll be in a school nurse practice. I have ICU and public health experience. Other nurses have ER, mother-baby, and med-surg - anything to get you comfortable.

Check in your area to see if your ADN will get you in the door or if you need to pursue a BSN. I don't think my district hires ADNs, and the existing ADNs are encouraged to get a BSN.

Also, see if you can sub, which may help you get to know the job. And it will help the school district get to know you. Good luck.