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?
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Quote-LisaMA. . .I do see and respect the concept of working my way up. Of putting my time in. But if I were to choose another route to this end, say getting a Dietician degree instead, (another valid means to this end) would you think me less competent to perform my job? I personally want to go the nursing route because I feel it does offer a better education as far as patient care goes. Of learning those nuances and gaining that compassion for the person. Plus, above all, it is a much more honorable title.
Well, you proved me wrong and did come back! The nursing is an "honorable title" makes up for the "breeze through":) If your job as a Diabetes Educator would include teaching patients how to draw up insulin, what symptoms of hypo/hyper glycemia are, etc. I can see how you are visualizing dovetailing nursing into that aspect of teaching. I suppose the focus might be different also depending on if you want to work in a hospital, or a Patient Education specialist for outpatients. Have you been able to do any research on nearby schools or distance learning? It does sound like a very interesting pursuit! All the best to you and your husband!
No disrespect, but I am a student in my last year of Nursing school. To get to the end is worth celebrating. I have worked four long years to obtain a BSN, and in May this will be my reality. Nursing school is not a breeze through profession or further more educational program you can slide through with out ups and downs. Medical Assistants learn how to work up a patient (taking bp, temp, etc and possibly having an idea of some of the disease processes but an RN is taught to critically think about what is presented and what information is not visibly there. Oh yeah assesessment that is the most important skill to learn as an RN. MA's don't assess, not even LPN's are able to assess and that is textbook. So, in order to possess the skills needed to be a knowledgeable and a safe healthcare professional you have to go through clinical. My school started clinicals in the first semester and that's why my school is top ranked in Georgia, because when the students graduate and get their first jobs they are confident and knowledgeable. Nursing is not the profession for you, we need individuals who are passionate about taking care of their patients. That means changing, emotional support, feeding, and educating the patient. Just because you've been a MA that doesn't not give you "special" permission to by pass what every other nurse worked long and hard to achieve to be where they are today. So do us a favor MA choose something else!
My bold....this is off topic to the OP....I don't know where you're from or what your state/province LPN scope of practice is....but I am an LPN and you bet that I assess!! I have a very wide scope of practice and I am assessing many, many aspect of my patients/residents from start to finish of shift. What in the world does an LPN do in your place of work they don't assess????
Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.
I think by law in some states (maybe all, don't know) LPNs are not allowed to assess. An RN must do that. Which is a total joke, being that LPNs are in home-care, and what the crap are they doing, if not assessing their patients?
I'm so sorry your husband is ill. Please know I am praying for the both of you.
You seem anxious about the clinicals because they are out of your comfort zone. They can be scary but that's true for all of us regardless of our background. I actually think you will have an easier time than some because you are already used to doing some hands on care where patients are concerned. I think you are letting fear take over here. You will be fine and you can do it.
I would also urge you to keep your options open. You might see so many other careers out there that interest you that aren't bedside nursing.
Maybe looking into diabetic educator would help with your decision.
Medicare/medicaid no longer reimburse well (and in some cases, not at all) for diabetes education. So...as another poster stated, you might not be able to find a job.
My bold....this is off topic to the OP....I don't know where you're from or what your state/province LPN scope of practice is....but I am an LPN and you bet that I assess!! I have a very wide scope of practice and I am assessing many, many aspect of my patients/residents from start to finish of shift. What in the world does an LPN do in your place of work they don't assess????
My guess is that she is referring to the fact it is outside of our scope of practice to do the initial assessment upon admission to the hospital - that must be done by an RN. With that said, however, LPNs do continually assess their patients as they deliver care.
I've really thought about the comments that I am limiting myself with CDE goals. That said, wouldn't getting the RN be best to ensure a viable means of employment should CDE not be lucrative?
I know that I do not want to get into Health Admin. I don't have the personality for that type of management. I would go stir crazy. Sitting at a desk all day is not my idea of enjoying my job.
So, since many of you have felt I was not RN material because I don't like bedside nursing....what other options would you suggest? Help me choose a career path.
I enjoy my current job. Pediatrics is my love. It is the only area where I think that bedside nursing wouldn't bother me. But again, that is self limiting. However, I need to branch out into other areas. I simply do not make enough money as an MA. I've considered going into research....but I wouldnt' even know where to begin with that.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I think by law in some states (maybe all, don't know) LPNs are not allowed to assess. An RN must do that. Which is a total joke, being that LPNs are in home-care, and what the crap are they doing, if not assessing their patients?
This is true, and I think Georgia probably has LPNs working in home care. Sometimes in LTCs they decide whether or not to send someone to the hospital. In California, the LVN scope of practice I think is intentionally vague. It says that LVNs practice "under the direction of an MD or an RN", what that "direction" actually is in reality not very "direct" at all.
Nursing school is not a breeze for anyone. It wouldn't be a breeze for us RNs if we had to do it again... and I doubt any of us would be willing to go through it again. Nursing school is rough, no matter your background or how smart you are.
Clinicals can be a pain. The hospitals use nursing students as free slave labor, as far as I'm concerned. You get to spend 10-20 hours per week being an unpaid CNA. I did not enjoy most of my clinicals, but I put a smile on and did it anyway. You don't have to enjoy clinicals to get through it, but you do have to show up and do it.
My fear for you is that you have an unrealistic expectation of what awaits you in nursing school. I feel like nursing school is 2 years of hazing, 'cause that's what it feels like. It's even worse if you have to work and/or raise children at the same time. But if it gets you where you really want to be in life, it is worth it.
By the way, even though I never liked clinicals, I love my job as an RN.
The hospitals use nursing students as free slave labor, as far as I'm concerned. You get to spend 10-20 hours per week being an unpaid CNA.
This is exactly what I am wary of. It is also the ONLY reason I hesitate with going back to school for nursing. Believe me, I have reasoned myself in and out of this for years. Just by this issue alone. I've investigated all sorts of other avenues to try, but I keep coming back to nursing. It is just in my blood. Let's face it, I like being the "know it all". I like being in charge. hahaha....but only in a certain capacity. I'm being painfully honest here, I don't want to wipe butts and clean up vomit and place caths etc. I want to teach. I want to share knowledge with others. I want to help others from a non-bedside capacity. I don't think that makes me a bad person, I certainly don't think it makes me a bad medical professional....it simply is what it is. I know where I would like my degree to take me....but I am learning (mostly to talking to all of you) that I have to be realistic. I may not GET to ONLY do that. I may have to take my lumps and work in a setting that I don't prefer. What I need to do is decide if I want to risk that much. My heart says no, but my head says yes. UGGGHHH
I have a very wide scope of practice and I am assessing many, many aspect of my patients/residents from start to finish of shift. What in the world does an LPN do in your place of work they don't assess???? 
Sendana
74 Posts
A degree in health administration seems to be more what you're looking for, not an RN.