Career mapping...advice from the experienced?

MBrickle · Oct 28, 2012

Hello all,

I'm currently a pediatric RN (homecare) with about 2yrs of exprience, largely centered around trachs/vents. I've realized that I have reached a crossroads, but, through researching previous topics on this site, they either don't address my situation, or are terribly outdated to the point of being irrelevant at this time.

I hold two bachelor degrees (non-nursing), and an ADN. I am not considered marketable in my area because I do not hold a BSN. In researching programs, I realized that often, to take 5 course, it is going to take 1.5-2.5 years due to scheduling for me to get my BSN. To me, this is frustrating and redundant, especially because I have always hoped to become an advanced practitioner, preferably CRNA or NP (I've highly researched both and would enjoy both.) I'm also beginning to think about having a family, which makes me think that NP might make for a better work/life balance (both through schooling and during employment.)

At this point, I was thinking of taking the time and putting it towards the RN-MSN programs, many of which, in my area, do not offer a BSN, but rather "bridge" us into graduate coursework. Will not having a BSN freeze me out of the job market if I angle my career towards being a provider versus bedside nursing?

Also, while I'd like to continue to pursue employment in pediatrics, I've often read that specializing as a FNP is the smarter decision verse being a PNP as you are more diverse and will have more employment options as you have lifespan experience.

Finally, I have an interest in working with NGO's in regard to international healthcare and policy. I always toyed with the idea that down the line I may get a doctorate in this very subject and re-focus my career (this is distant future.) Does an NP make more sense for that as well? I'd like to work internationally, at least some of the time, as a care-provider or policy-maker. I'm beginning to look into volunteer options at local NGO's for this very reason as international medical work is a huge interest of mine. Would going for my DNP make the most sense for this and my long-term plans?

I am just finding that there are so many options and paths that it's been difficult to coordinate my employment plans with relevant information that could help me carve the best career path.

Thank you for reading this far - gold star for you!