Career Choices...MA>LPN>RN>or just AA?

[KBlue]

I need advice. I recently entered the medical field as a medical assistant. About half way through MA school I realized that I want to be a nurse so I started taking the prereqs while I was still going to MA school, I am almost done and will be ready to apply soon. I did my externship for MA and absoutely loved working in a clinic but at the same time I got hired by a hospital, basically doing CNA work. I took that job because I figured I could still go to school and it would help with my goal of becoming a nurse. I have only been working for 4 months but I have felt somewhat unfufilled in my job and the money is just horrible, 9.76 an hour and I am only part time. So I started applying for MA jobs and I got hired at University of Florida. They are starting me at almost 13.00 and full time. The money still isn't great but I am excited that I will be in a clinic and doing more hands on work. I start next week. I am not sure what to do about my goal of being a nurse. I'm not even sure that I want to be a nurse. Watching the nurses in the hospital, I have realized that it is not the kind of work I want to be doing. I want to be in the clinic, educating and taking care of patients. I want to assist with surgical procedures and just be more hands on. Should I still pusue my nursing degree but insist on staying in a clinic? Should I go for my LPN rather than my RN, or even get a degree in something else like Health Science that will work with my MA certification? I know I will have more options down the road if I get my RN, but I also want to think about my happiness, not just money. I know this is a long post, but any advice would be so welcomed!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Are there RNs in the clinics you work? What do they do? Is that something you see yourself doing? RNs in clinics tend not to do a lot of hands on, but do assessments, information gathering, planning and teaching. In a university setting they might do research as well.

As you say, there will be a lot more opportunities if you become an RN, and at double the salary you're making now. But you're going to have to do your cliinicals at hospital settings. But don't judge a book by the cover, RNs in hospitals do a lot of hands on, teaching, and make a difference. But I'm jaded because I would be bored by the lack of hands on in a clinic.

If you decide nursing, go the RN route, not the LPN for more opportunities. I don't think a degree in Health Sciences would help you fulfill any of your goals right now.

[KBlue]

Thanks, Tweety! I don't start my new job until next Monday, so I don't know much about the staff. I do know that UF has some clinics that employ RNs and even some LPNs which is why I was considering the LPN route. One of the community colleges up here still offers an LPN program, but they also have a nights and weekends RN program. I think that I am going to go that route. Thanks again for your advice, I really appreciate it!:wink2: