Clinicals

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Specializes in Medical Assistant, Peds.

I have been a Medical Assistant for the past 24 years. Since graduation, I have worked primarily in Pediatrics.

At this point in my life (41 years old) my husband is ill and currently undergoing Chemo. If he survives this or if he doesn't, I am going to have to take on the role of primary wage earner.

That said, I have decided to return to school to further my career. For many years now I have worked closely with diabetic children. So I have decided that I would like to become a Diabetes Educator. This requires me to get a masters in either nursing or some other health related discipline.

I know I could breeze through the RN program. My problem is....I just don't look forward to clinicals. I am beyond the "hands on" desire I once had in my younger years. Being brutally honest here, I am very anxious about having to clean up bodily fluids and do catheters and phleb etc. It not something I am interested in anymore.

So without sounding haughty, since my goal is to go beyond physical nursing....how involved must I get in clinicals? Is there any way to bypass this? Are there programs that will allow me to get my RN from an administrative viewpoint?

If not....what exactly should I expect from clinicals? How much "hands on" does it require? Can I be a quiet observer rather than actually performing?

Thank you for your responses.

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Specializes in EMT-P.

So sorry to hear about your husbands situation. Hate to hear about anyone going through that.

Wow! from MA to a Masters and breeze through an RN program. Whew, you really thought this through have you? Not wanting to go through clinicals leads me to one conclusion. Forget about being an RN, and seriously did you say breeze through?

Not sure what a diabetes educator does but perhaps you might look into a degree in health administration ?

http://healthcaredegrees.phoenix.edu/?channel=SRCH&psrc=googleexact&keyword=degrees+in+health+care&pvp_campaign=14210_0917_9_95&pvp_campaign_int=24310_0917_9_95&vrefid=sf3t9ub8D_4432159205_4561iuf9g3q501317&ABS=hQ

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Specializes in Medical Assistant, Peds.

Thanks Michael,

I say breeze because I have worked for such a long time in health care, that I feel confident of my knowledge base. On top of this, I have taught Medical Assisting for many years now. So books, study and papers do not worry me. Its the hands on that I dont' want to do.

Health Admin isn't an accepted discipline for the DNE licensure. :(

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Am so sorry that you are faced with this decision.

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I didn't think an MSN was required for CDE certification, just RN licensure -- has that changed?

No, you're not going to be able to get through nursing school without attending clinicals, and as an active participant, not an "observer." There's no such thing as becoming an RN "from an administrative viewpoint." Everyone has to meet the same educational requirements to be eligible for licensure.

Clinicals are extremely, entirely "hands on." That's where you practice applying what you've learned in the classroom and providing direct, hands-on patient care. Given the views stated in your post, I strongly encourage you to consider one of the other routes to CDE certification rather than nursing (there are several). Nursing school is difficult and challenging enough, physically and intellectually, when you really want to become a nurse -- not something you "breeze through" on your way to something else.

Best wishes for your husband's situation.

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Specializes in Home Health CM.

I just graduated from an RN program. In the beginning, I was afraid of going to clinicals and seeing someone else vomit (didn't want to puke when I saw someone else doing the same) and just how on earth to give a bed bath. (It truly is an art.) Instructors in school readily admit they have "something" that grosses them out.

I was really worried for nothing. In fact, myself and others felt that we did not get enough hands on training in school. Fortunately, it was not half as bad as the complaints of others report.

In nursing school, clinicals are usually only one day per week and you are only there for a few hours in that day. It really adds up to only about 6 hours per week, which isn't that much.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Your attitude really struck an nerve and I will not sugarcoat my response:

Your statements first of all were offensive to someone like me who has worked long and hard to be a respected RN (I have worked as long as you have). To think that some how your work experience is equal to an RN's is an insult. When you have a state license and are responsible for your own actions at work (rather than riding on the skirt tales of a docs license) then you can come talk to me.

Furthermore you obviously have no clue about what it takes to be a nurse because hands on care is a huge part of it. So do us all a favor and find another profession. The last thing we need is a nurse who dislikes caring for patients. Besides those "non physical" jobs in nursing are for those who have earned it - either by experience or by education. It's called working your way your way up and your statements make it sound like it's some how easy to do.

Oh by the way there is no way you could "breeze" through the didiatics or the clinicals of a nursing program. Your office MA experience will do little to prepare you for the realities of nursing, especially in a setting such as a an acute care hospital floor - where we function independently every shift without the doctor right in the next room to hold our hand.

It sounds like you are more interested in education or perhaps nutrition - both of which have a role to play in diabetes management. I suggest you look into these fields, because nursing is obviously not for you at this time.

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Specializes in ER.

I agree with above poster.

MA does NOT equal RN. Maybe you could look into becoming a health educator. Many colleges offer than type of program.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Think of it this way. Being a diabetic educator requires the ability to establish a rapport and gain the trust of those who you are attempting to educate. There is nothing quite like sticking someone with an IV catheter or sticking a rubber tube up their urethra to help you with that skill set. Believe me, if I don't like you and I don't trust you, you are not coming anywhere near me with a needle or a rubber tube.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Maybe the OP worked for someone who had her doing things out of the scope of practice for a Medical Assistant?

The "breeze through" comment reflects lack of knowledge of the difference between the role of an MA and that of a nurse.

OP, if you are still considering nursing school, I would recommend perusing the Student Nurse forums to get an idea of what this entails. It doesn't sound like something you would be happy investing years of time in, but I'm sure there are other routes to becoming a Diabetes Educator. Perhaps through a nutritionist program.

All the best to you and your husband.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

You cannot 'breeze' through nursing school, especially if you are not willing to do hands-on in clinicals. Honestly, I wouldn't want any nurse to take care of me who hadn't had any clinical or 'hands on' experience. Whether you've done 1 year or 100 years of medical assiting, it still is not equivalent to a nurse (LVN, ADN, RN, FNP, etc.)

It's like me saying I've done so and so years of being an RN; therefore, I can 'breeze' through med school and be a Medical Doctor. RN education and MD education-- 2 different things.

I know of a diabetes educator who is an RN. Her job required teaching and critical thinking skills. Not all diabetic patients are the same. But even she had experience at the bedside for a few decades.

If you still want to be an RN, do your prerequisites. GPA of at least 3.5 is good, 4.0 will better your chances getting accepted in a nursing program. You MUST do hands-on in clinicals, or your clinical instructor might fail you. Clinicals are maybe one to two shifts per week; more shifts on your last semester of school. Just giving you a tiny (itty-bitty) glimpse on what you can expect in nursing school.

I'm sorry about what your husband is going through. Hoping for the best outcome for your husband and family.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Wow. Just wow.

I agree with the blunt statements that you are not really nurse material based on the views you put out here. Definitely find another way.

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