Career advice for a new grad

[NextSummer]

Hi all,

Just wanted to get some advice on my nursing career. I am a new RN, just got my BSN in June. My problem is that basically I am not that good at clinical part of nursing. I don't know how to say.... being in a hospital makes me nervous. I am really in awe of new grads going into specialty areas like ER and ICU.

Looking back, I was one of those students who liked such courses as nursing theory/ philosophy, policy, or ethics. I think I kind of enjoyed the processes of completing writing assignments.. (eg, doing lieterature search as comprehensively as I could, reading & analyzing them, etc..But I used to have problems when the assignment asked me to write things like implications for practice .... I think my personality type is INTP.....)

These days, I keep thinking about going back to school for my MSN. I mean the pure master's degree, not the programs for those who would like to become NPs. I would work part time and go to school part time, if I ever do my master's. But the thing is I don't know what to do with that degree; I wouldnt make more money with that degree, and I am not interested in teaching either. Though I wouldn't mind going to school just to improve myself -from my perspective. (I would say I like the intellectual stimulation that I could get..... ) However I wonder if this makes a good reason for furthering my education. I don't even know how to explain my intention for MSN in the application forms. At the same time I am also afraid of the workload in grad school.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

p.s. My grades are all As and even a few A+ in nursing research, theory and ethics....(except one B+ in one course), so getting into a master's program woudn't be difficult... I hope....

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hi and welcome and congrats on your graduation. Are you currently working? You will become more comfortable with the nuts and bolts of nursing as you do it. It will become easier. Believe me, if it didn't, I wouldn't still be around - lol. Get yourself into a position with lots of orientation, both didactic and practicum.

As to the MSN - you kinda gotta know what direction you want to head in order to get the right education for that goal. I wish you luck.

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

Have you thought about working for pharm companies as a clinical research associate? I do know that they hire RN/BSN's for these positions. Something to consider!