Career question

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I am just looking to get some opinions as I am very new to nursing but I'm trying to figure out where I want to go next.

I already have a BA in a non-nursing field. I'm currently enrolled in a diploma program. I am looking to obtain a masters degree. Initially I would like to work in an ER or OR, ultimately I would like to work in infection control.

My question is this...should I (1) do a quick BA-BSN program and pursue a masters in Public Health or (2) do a bridge to MSN program and seek infection control certification.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I'm assuming you must be in the Northeast... the last bastion of diploma programs; they've virtually disappeared elsewhere in the US.

If you complete your diploma program and obtain your RN license, your next step would be an RN-BSN program if you want to specialize in Infection Control. Perioperative experience is a great entry point for Infection Control nurses because this area includes far more hands-on and didactic training in that area than any other. I don't believe you will need an MSN to become certified in IC, but organizations are raising the bar on many of their specialized jobs so I am sure that it would give you an edge but I don't understand why you would choose Public Health. A more appropriate grad degree would be one with emphasis on epidemiology. I also want to caution you - IC jobs are "thin on the ground" because there normally only one per organization. So job opportunities are not exactly easy to find.

Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress

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"my question is this...should i (1) do a quick ba-bsn program and pursue a masters in public health or (2) do a bridge to msn program and seek infection control certification."

either of the above, or do the bachelors-to-bsn or -to-mn. you;ll do the ic certification either way.

forget the diploma-- it's going to turn out to be largely wasted time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I had no idea there were any diploma programs left in the US.

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I had no idea there were any diploma programs left in the US.

Quite a few -- just not nearly as many as there used to be. Some states have none at all any more, and other states still have plenty. For some reason, PA seems to have as many as the whole rest of the US put together.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Until recently, I thought they were ll gone too.

NY also has a lot of diploma schools.

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