California based, with graduate work in another field. older.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Apr 26, 2017

Hello,
Thanks in advance for your time. I am probably older than most and I have a BA, a bunch of financial licenses, and Doctorate work. I am a mom and have a busy life and formerly had a career in management and finance which I gave up two years ago. We live Southern California in the Ventura area. I am looking to make the switch to something more fulfilling in healthcare and flexible, and seek program recommendations, but also wanted to ask some questions about the field itself.
Program Questions:
1. As a career changer with a full house at home, I can't spend a ton on education at this time. I know UCLA has a great 2 year program to get a Master's but they are costly. Is anyone aware of other, similar programs that lead from a BA in another field to a Master's in Nursing? Some things I am looking for:
- shorter programs that lead to a Masters
- cost effectiveness
- scholarship or paid work study opportunities
- flexible programs for moms
I'm not from SoCal so I don't what else is available but I'm sure that there are other DEMSN programs. They're probably all pretty expensive...
2. I would really appreciate feedback on costs and experience from people who may have made this switch. I made a mid-career switch about 7 years ago. It was costly both in terms of money as well as family time. I was fortunate that a local university had a subsidized BS -> MSN program so I only paid in-state graduate school rates at the CSU campus. It was well worth the investment, though.
3. It is possible I would go on to a doctoral or teaching at some point, I have taught quite a bit so I would want to have a degree that allowed for that step were I to take it, yes I am older but I am a true believer in life long learning. I am at step one now, and am swimming in acronym soup when I look up the various programs and specialities! An MSN is the minimum requirement for a teaching position and that is being supplanted by the PhD and DNP proliferation.
Field Questions:
1. My physician friends/family always tell me I should have gone in to medicine, surgery specifically, and I know it is true as very little phases me, I have great hand /eye coordination, easily give shots and IV's (don't ask), have good bedside, love research, science and healthcare. I lean towards naturopathic. I have been in leadership positions most of my life. That is my greatest concern as a new nurse, I am in my 40's and would need to go in to a speciality where I have some autonomy with a busy and respectful culture. Obviously I will need to earn my stripes, but at some point I will probably need to work autonomously or in leadership. I am very interested in reproductive endocrinology... but not sure how that would apply to a nursing career? I can not be around a lot of airborne viruses and allergens, but I am extremely strong in counseling, support, and hands on treatments and not deterred by surgery. Any ideas? Salary is a factor! Thank you tons! You could ultimately become an NP or PA and try to catch on to an RE practice. There's not much real autonomy in basic nursing though a measure can be found in teaching hospitals where the residents are reliant on the nurses in the specialty areas. The most autonomy would be found in a flight position but your desire to avoid airborne (or more accurately, droplet-carried) viruses (& bacteria, I presume) would be challenged. Real autonomy in nursing can be found in the NP or CRNA role though that is somewhat dependent on the state and CA is not at the forefront in that regard.
Sonja

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sonja10 · Apr 26, 2017

Thank you Kindaback, this gives me quite a lot to consider! I am at the very beginning of my journey, and your feedback is appreciated :-)

I have an aunt who opened an amazing practice of her own as a nurse back east, she is very retired now and I know so much has changed, but I believe she was a midwife. I will check. So, NP or CRNA is baked into an MSN or is that a completely different degree?

A few years ago, when nursing first started to beep in my mind while I was in finance, I saw programs that were partially funded out here, but I don;t see them as much now, but again, I am at the beginning!

Thanks again, glad to hear you are happy with your choice! What field are you in if you do not mind my asking?

Oh and the droplet carried / bacteria concerns are I have an absolute crap immune system, stomach of iron but supplement and sleep though I may, I catch every cold.

Thanks so much ! :)

Sonja

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Apr 27, 2017

Thank you Kindaback, this gives me quite a lot to consider! I am at the very beginning of my journey, and your feedback is appreciated :-)
I have an aunt who opened an amazing practice of her own as a nurse back east, she is very retired now and I know so much has changed, but I believe she was a midwife. I will check. So, NP or CRNA is baked into an MSN or is that a completely different degree?
NP and CRNA are advanced-practice licenses conferred by states. The educational route to attain them generally (or perhaps always though I eschew absolutes) generally leads to either a masters degree or a doctorate. However, one can earn an MSN or PhD/DNP without doing the training for NP/CRNA. It just depends on the program and what you want.
A few years ago, when nursing first started to beep in my mind while I was in finance, I saw programs that were partially funded out here, but I don;t see them as much now, but again, I am at the beginning!
I think it's a reflection of the change from that brief period of time when the talk of a "nursing shortage" was ubiquitous to now when there remains a glut of new nurses on the market.
Thanks again, glad to hear you are happy with your choice! What field are you in if you do not mind my asking?
I am an ED nurse who picks up shifts in the various adult ICUs. I've been giving some thought to changing, though. I haven't quite settled on what, though.
Oh and the droplet carried / bacteria concerns are I have an absolute crap immune system, stomach of iron but supplement and sleep though I may, I catch every cold.
I suspect that stringent hand hygiene, training yourself to *never* touch your eyes, nose, or mouth except with freshly washed hands, and the judicious use of a mask would see you through. Heck, it even works for most neutropenic patients.
Thanks so much ! :)
Sonja

You're welcome.