I'm seriously considering changing career tracks and getting an associate's degree related to being a registered nurse. Ideally I would like to be a school nurse, after getting my associate's degree and passing the exams. I am a man in his early 30's, so I'm not sure if being a male nurse would be a plus, or not make a difference.
My main questions relate to if being a RN would be a good career move for the long-term. I am doing this since I researched the field and enjoy assisting others. I truly believe that I would be happiest in a school setting (I used to be a teacher in the past, but got burned out on the need to be the strict figure in the classroom and to deal with all of the micromanaging that comes with it...But that's a whole 'nother post).
I understand that a local community college in Houston does the RN program and it seems fairly affordable. But, with that said, would a potential employer mind if you went to a community college for your associate's? Or does it just matter if you pass the exams, and that's about it?
I know too that schools usually have just one nurse on-staff, so the openings might be fewer, but then again, I don't want to let that stop me in and of itself. But, I also figure that there are bound to be openings for school nurses, so I shouldn't despair unnecessarily. However, I also am realistic that many nurses would rather do nursing in a school than be in a hospital...
Lastly, I have an issue with my back that will later require some physical therapy. With that said, I can still move around and walk fine, but I think that something like working in a hospital where I'd be on the move constantly might aggravate it over time. Thus, I am trying to find a RN job where preferably I don't need to be on-the-go constantly (and I'm willing to work a nursing job that pays a bit less to have that).
All in all, I see that the job growth for RNs is supposedly going to be around 16%, which is a good sign, but I'm unsure if as a new RN I would need to work in a medical facility or in a job that was consistently on-the-go (...?).
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
Thanks, Amethya! :-)
I see. So MAs are the ones who say "please step on the scale...please follow me into the doctor's room, let me take your blood pressure, etc."...?
Also, would MA "credits" from a certification course ever transfer over from a Medical Assistant/Aide position to an ADN/BSN degree down the road? Or would I need to start from scratch to become an ADN/BSN?
Thanks!
Most of the time, yes. Sometimes they are real nurses, but we are the ones that you see mainly in Doctor's offices and small clinics.
Start from scratch. The way I see it is this:
Do you need a quick job? If you need a quick career, MA is the way to go. If you have the time and patience to go to school, then go for ADN/BSN.
Just remember you are going to be a bit limited as a MA, but you will gain experience that could help you down the line.
Amethya
1,821 Posts
Most of the time, yes. Sometimes they are real nurses, but we are the ones that you see mainly in Doctor's offices and small clinics.
Start from scratch. The way I see it is this:
Do you need a quick job? If you need a quick career, MA is the way to go. If you have the time and patience to go to school, then go for ADN/BSN.
Just remember you are going to be a bit limited as a MA, but you will gain experience that could help you down the line.