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Discussion

At a Crossroads

Well I would like to begin by saying that I have been a RN for about 5 and half years now and am 33 years old

with two young kids. I did complete a four year degree in healthcare prior to going to nursing school. The problem is that right now I am getting weary of floor nursing and want to advance my career, it looks as though I will have to either get my MBA or go to CRNA school to further advance my career to where I would like it to be. The problem is that I am a little timid to try to get into CRNA school -If I do get in I don't know how my family will get by without my income and If I don't apply I feel I will have squandered my opportunity. Another possibility is getting the MBA, but there are so many out of work MBA grads I don't if that would really be worth it in the years to come and make a difference in a person's career. I don't know really what to do, but would really appreciate your input and responses-thanks ahead of time. :yeah:

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I can understand your frustration and your need to seek career advancement. Are you currently working in ICU? If not, that is a pre-requisite for CRNA. Most programs require at least 2 years of ICU experience.

What type of job do you want to move into? If you are thinking about nursing administration, I would strongly advise you to seek an MSN instead of an MBA. There is an increasing emphasis on advanced nursing practice knowledge/skills rather than simply business - especially for organizations seeking Magnet or other health care recognition.

Career growth is not an 'either - or' proposition. There are many steps in between. The first step is to make suer that your supervisor knows that you are interested in moving ahead. Seek out greater responsibilty & involvement in your current department/area. Become involved in 'extra' activities such as quality improvement or other types of committees or task forces. Do whatever it takes to make the leap into charge nurse - this usually means additional training. You can begin making your climb without investing in additional formal education right away. Your first steps will probably not necessarily increase your take home pay - but they do "pay off" by letting everyone know that you have leadership potential and higher level skills & knowledge.

Along the way, you should explore some alternative pathways. Not every 'higher' position involves supervision of bedside nursing. Nursing offers many different avenues for career growth such as Risk Management, Recruiting, Education, Case Management - I am sure that one of them will appeal to you.

I wish you the very best of luck!

  • Author

I have been working in critical care and ICU the past several years and am currently working as a travel nurse in a cardiovascular ICU. I am looking over the prereq's for several CRNA schools at this point. Thanks for all of your replies

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