Confused - so behind in career & goals

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

I'll try to keep this brief. I became an LPN several years ago and worked a lot (Skilled and later Management) until I started RN school out of state. While in school I initially worked part time, but then took a whole year off work to focus on school.

Returned to my state (California) after graduation, where due to Board requirements I've had to retake Micro and resubmit my application to the Board. Now it's a little over a year since I graduated from RN school, I'm in my early 40s, and I just received my RN license (for which I'm very grateful) and I'm applying for positions in Skilled Nursing facilities where I hope to begin my first RN position ever. I'm also about to graduate from BSN school in about a month.

My question is, how do I catch up on all the time I've lost? Will working in Skilled be "enough" if my plan is to get my Master's in Nursing Management, with the goal to get into teaching in a couple years? Should I be applying for hospital positions instead?

Appreciate any comments or suggestions anyone may have. Thank you.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

It's not too late. You can still obtain the MSN in education. The subject matter that you choose to teach should determine what area you decide to work in...and/or vice versa.

I'm still on the fence about an MSN myself. I've already applied and been accepted into three programs...only thing left to do is pick one. The major hold up for me is that my hospital has an agreement with one of the three colleges (preceptorship-wise), but that college does not have the degree that I really want (MSN in Case Management).

I have absolutely no experience in the area; but I do have years of experience in nursing and have been involved in referral processes and resource recommendations, as well as inpatient and community health nursing.

So, I have faith in myself that I can succeed in community case management. Set your goal and go for it. You still have a couple of decades or more left in nursing.

[cleback]

With a master's in management, do you ever plan on taking a managerial role? If so, then yes to the hospital. Most of the SNF around me just require the DON to have a BSN,so you wouldn't be utilizing your degree. Also, do you mean academic teaching or staff education? If the latter, then again yes to the hospital. I just find that for most LTC the highest level of education is the BSN. But I've only worked in fairly small facilities.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

It's not too late. You can still obtain the MSN in education. The subject matter that you choose to teach should determine what area you decide to work in...and/or vice versa.

I'm still on the fence about an MSN myself. I've already applied and been accepted into three programs...only thing left to do is pick one. The major hold up for me is that my hospital has an agreement with one of the three colleges (preceptorship-wise), but that college does not have the degree that I really want (MSN in Case Management).

BSNbeDONE, thank you for your comment. All the best to you in your MSN program. I hope you find the one you want soon.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

With a master's in management, do you ever plan on taking a managerial role? If so, then yes to the hospital. Most of the SNF around me just require the DON to have a BSN,so you wouldn't be utilizing your degree. Also, do you mean academic teaching or staff education? If the latter, then again yes to the hospital. I just find that for most LTC the highest level of education is the BSN. But I've only worked in fairly small facilities.

Cleback, thank you for your comment. I don't intend to work in Skilled after I get my MSN. It's just for while I'm in MSN school as there are several skilled facilities in my neighborhood and it would be very convenient to work close to home while in school.

After I'm done with MSN school in a couple years, my plan is to teach nursing classes at a college and that's why I'm wondering if I should be working a hospital job now, and not a nursing home one.