Career advice please

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hi,

as my name states, I'm a nurse hopeful. I have a bachelor's degree in a non-science related field. I have two questions.

1) Is there any way around this situation? I'm currently looking at 2 programs:

A) 12 or 15 month "nurse as a 2nd degree" full time program - 50-70 credits

B) part time associates in nursing + part time RN to BSN = 120 credits

It just doesn't make sense to me that the part time program is 120 credits while the full time is as little as 50 credits, and there's no part time option for "nurse as a 2nd degree" thats 50-70 credits, the same as the full time "2nd career" option (is there?). Yes financials and time is a consideration and my current situation is that I cannot afford to take time off from work to goto school full time. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

2) I want to be a pediatric nurse in family practice or related settings, not psychiatric and not EM peds nursing. What is the average salary, and more important, what is the demand? Given the shortage of nurses, a friend told me as an adult RN, she could call the hospital up a week before, and they would have 8 or 12 hour shifts available for the following week..that kind of flexibility is important to me and a factor in my decision to pursue nursing, is that realistic for pediatric nurses? Can someone please break it down by sub specialty, for example, pediatric nursing in OBGYN, peds nursing in family practice, peds nursing in community clinics, at schools etc? as much information as possible would be appreciated. I especially prefer weekend shifts.. advice please? Thank you.

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1. based on the need to hold down a ft job (i assume it's a day job) while going to school. i don't know what state your in, but some states allow diploma rn's (3 semesters i think). i personally would just focus on the getting any degree as fast as possible that lets you be an rn. then once that's done find a job in a facility that never closes (hospital, ltc, etc). that way you can work around a school schedule (day or nights) to get your bsn.

2. must of that really doesn't matter in this economy, many new rn grads are having a hard time finding jobs, they have no rn exp. there is only a shortage of experienced nurses in some areas, not newbs. i don't know much about peds or obgyn, those aren't popular areas for male nurses.

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1. based on the need to hold down a ft job (i assume it's a day job) while going to school. i don't know what state your in, but some states allow diploma rn's (3 semesters i think). i personally would just focus on the getting any degree as fast as possible that lets you be an rn. then once that's done find a job in a facility that never closes (hospital, ltc, etc). that way you can work around a school schedule (day or nights) to get your bsn.

2. must of that really doesn't matter in this economy, many new rn grads are having a hard time finding jobs, they have no rn exp. there is only a shortage of experienced nurses in some areas, not newbs. i don't know much about peds or obgyn, those aren't popular areas for male nurses.

Thanks, well i'm a female actually, but I appreciate the male perspective.

The thing is I really don't want to pay for double the credits by doing it part time when full time I would only pay half that amount, you see what I mean? If I could, I would take 1 year off, but I cannot currently..but it looks like I have to choose one or the other.. thanks for your perspective..

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Given the shortage of nurses, a friend told me as an adult RN, she could call the hospital up a week before, and they would have 8 or 12 hour shifts available for the following week.

Those days are over. I can be very difficult to get an RN job right now, and will probably remain that way for a while.

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I would add to be mindful that "part-time" is "not really".

You might be in class/clinical in what amounts to be part-time as in actual hours that your body is required to be somewhere. But you will find it hard to have "untouched hours" all together to use for non-nursing activities. Often there will be added requirements that are just dropped on you and you will have to scramble. Also, once in the nursing program you will not be able to take nursing courses/clinical piecemeal as you have time to complete them so to speak. Jumping in for a while, then out for a while is a no go in most programs I am aware of.

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Specializes in community health.

I'd talk to the schoolwith the 2nd degree program, they might accomidate your need for Part time, I got my BSN in a 2nd degree program many moons ago

also look at entry level MSN programs, sometimes you can take a year or 2 off before goin gon for your masters...

find a school close to you whihc you liek and talk to them about your options

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Specializes in Home Care.

Talk to an academic adviser at the college you are interested in. You can't always get all the information you need that makes sense off their website.

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