BS ChE undergraduate deciding to shift to BS Nursing

[Meruhh]

Hello! I just migrated here in Queens, New York from Cavite, Philippines last October 14. I have not finished my BS Chemical Engineering degree in the University of the Philippines - Diliman Campus yet but I was convinced by my family to grab the opportunity and live with my mom already. They told me I can continue studying here. I am an incoming 3rd year BS ChE student and got to finish 60+ units - mostly Math, Chemistry and Physics. I am faced with a situation wherein I need to really decide which career I would want to pursue 'cause I now have the opportunity to change my degree. After two years of studying BS ChE, I was kind of disheartened by the difficulty of the lessons and I know that I can no longer compete with the intellectuals in UP who, in the first place, are from different National Science Highschools which, I ain't a graduate of - I believe it's what sets me apart from the people I deal with everyday in UP. Well, I don't want that to be the topic here so let's just say that I realized I don't want ChE anymore. It's not for me. And now that I am able to change my future profession, I am leaning towards health related degrees because as I see things here, the highest paid and in demand professionals are those in the health field.

This is getting long, I hope you're still with me. I am just wondering if shifting to BS Nursing would credit most of my earned units. Would BSN still be high in demand after I graduate 4 years or less (if my credits get accepted)? Which is the better way to RN: ADN first then work while taking up ADN-BSN or straight BSN? I care about earning money ASAP because I plan to get student aid. Also, I wanna help my mom in our expenses. She's 50+ years old already and is a cancer survivor - she's weak and I want her to have a break. So much for that. Anyway, what would be the best degree to shift into if not Nursing? I want to know other degrees that would have my previous units accepted so I won't spend much time, effort and money (debts, really). Thanks so much to those who are going to answer my questions. I hope at least one would. :)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

The reality is there's so much uncertainty right now whatever you decide to do. Nursing is no longer an easy ticket to a job and though some camps may still be focused on the fact that a nursing shortage could happen in the future, there are definitely statistics that say that there is actually a surplus of nurses at the moment. One such statement was released by the California Board of Registered Nursing recently (http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/forms/forecasts2011.pdf). The problem with those forecasts is it only takes account the trends in population shifts (an aging population who will require more healthcare) but not the fact that economy plays a role and that employment patterns change as we saw in recent years (nurses who otherwise would retire or work less hours are still in their full time jobs to make it in this rough economy, high unemployment leading to loss of health care coverage for many).

I have relatives who shifted careers to nursing in years past including one who has a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Philippines who later attended an ADN program here in the States. The guy is very intelligent and is especially good in Math but I never thought he'd make it in nursing but he did and actually aced his ADN program and his NCLEX-RN. He has been working as a nurse for 5 years now. I also know of people who had non-health care careers and made a smooth transition to nursing from IT, Business, and Liberal Arts degrees. It is definitely possible for some people but I would advise you to learn about what nurses do first before you make the leap including knowing that we work ungodly hours, deal with the sick and all the gory stuff that goes with it, and are part of a healthcare hierarchy inclduing one within nursing itself.

Your question about future employability is a real issue. Right now, it is grim. But then again, it is grim for everyone else. I have college graduates in my family one of whom has a degree in education from a well-known midwestern university and couldn't find a school district to hire her full time. She is going for her master's to specialize in an education field and is hoping this will make her resume more attractive. I work in a hospital with residents nearing completion of their training and are interviewing for attending physician positions and are finding that opportunities are not as abundant as before. It's really depressing and this is really how things are going to be for a while. Sorry, I wasn't able to give you any good news.