Confused in Brooklyn

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello,

I am a 35 year old new mom of a 2 month old and need help on which direction I should take.

Here is the story.

I have a BA in film production and worked in the industry as a production accountant.

After nine years, I decided to change careers. I always had an interest in healthy eating and decided to pursue a second degree in RD/nutrition. I completed my chemistry, biology, and nutrition courses as well as accumulated nutrition work experiences early on (this is mandatory for the dietetic internship).

After these work experiences I realized I wanted to stay in clinical and know RD's don't get much respect or necessary pay (as told to me by an RD). Nursing with a certification in nutrition or CDE sounds more appealing. The only thing is: which way should I choose?

I am in the NYC area and considering Hunter (first choice), Downstate, and LIU. An accelerated BSN makes sense for time but not money since I have a new baby. An ADN makes sense for money but not time.

What would you do or what would be your advice?

Just take the remaining pre-reqs and apply to accelerated program (hoping to get in)

OR

Go for an Associates so I can at least get into the profession and focus on BSN later.

Are there any other tracks I am not aware of? So far from researching I believe these are the only ones for my situation.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

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Why do you want to be a nurse?

Not much respect for nurses, either. Can't compare the salary, but I can assure you the work will be brutal compared to a dietician.

Do you have family assistance with childcare? Day care is expensive. One of my biggest regrets is not staying home the first 5 years.

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I want to work in healthcare and make a decent salary. Since I want to work on the clinical side, nursing is my best option. I came from the film and television world, I can handle brutal and unfortunately, I will have to work and can not stay home.

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If I had to do it over again but in today's market and working conditions, I would go for OT. No call, no nights, no major holidays, rare weekend. They are a super hot commodity in home health and make more money than the RN case mgrs. At least in my area.

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So do you no longer want to do RD? I am confused about what you actually are saying you want to do. No real advice from me, other than to be with your baby as much as you can. Are you sure you can't be home? Recalculate your finances? I wish you all the best.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
If I had to do it over again but in today's market and working conditions, I would go for OT. No call, no nights, no major holidays, rare weekend. They are a super hot commodity in home health and make more money than the RN case mgrs. At least in my area.

Minimum entry = Doctorate. That's a lot of school to pay for.

ETA: Ok, now that I've posted that, I'm not sure that I'm correct. The doctorate had been adopted by PT, but maybe not OT.

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Specializes in ER.

So, you have brand new baby, have changed careers twice, and want to pursue a demanding nursing program while also working full-time?

Where does spending time with your baby fit in with this marvelous plan? And, when do you plan on sleeping?

How about this for a plan: take a breather and enjoy your newborn. Cuddle your baby and savor this time, it will be gone in a blink of an eye.

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OT is Masters level. For a M-F excellent working conditions at >100K with us. And we beg for them. Can't get them without a recruiter.

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Just jumping in quickly to mention that an ADN won't get you very far in NYC; probably nowhere, in fact. Competition for employment is HIGH, and therefore the facilities doing the hiring can afford to be mighty choosy. If they can bucketfuls of new grad BSNs to fill spots, they do. And there's not many new grad spots to fill, but....there you have it.

Will you have childcare available for classes and clinicals that will be anywhere from 6am to 10pm? Will you have a night-care option for when you are able to begin work in a few years and are offered only nightshift? Just food for thought; nursing is (obviously) a 24/7 job when you're new out of the chute, and new grads often take whatever they can find.

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I guess I wasn't clear in my first post. I didn't change careers twice. I had one career and was in the process of taking classes towards a second degree in nutrition. I only took general science and nutrition classes which puts me in a nice position to change directions since I didn't take the advanced RD classes. I was never an RD so technically not changing a career. I am not entering nursing school tomorrow. If I go for an accelerated route I still have a total of (depending on which school I go to) 4-6 prereqs to take and wouldn't enter nursing school until 37 or 38. There are options to go to school part time but that may take forever. I have family help however that doesn't mean I want to stay home. I will be home for the next few months and in the mean time why not ask for some advice for future plans? BTW, when I was taking classes, it was on a part time basis while I worked full time. NYC CUNY has very good courses nights and weekends. As for night shift and things of that nature, I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

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Correct! I no longer want to be an RD. I am researching nursing with certified diabetes educator credential.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

First and foremost I do agree with other posters about staying home with your child for at least the first 3 to 5 years if possible. I went back to work when my son was 6 months old and while I was making good money I missed all of his developmental milestones. They were witnessed and reported in notes to home by the strangers (daycare) I had entrusted to his care. I wish I had done it differently because I did have the financial means to stay home but was starting my nursing career in my late 30's and felt I needed to jump in full gear with no time to waste.

On the money issue - Yes nurses can make good money, but most of us who have been doing it for a while will tell you that the money is not always equal to the blood, sweat and tears we pour into it. Regardless of what anyone is telling you there is no real nursing shortage - especially in high density population areas. You may still be looking for work up to a year or more after graduation - unless you are willing to move to a Flyover state or outlying area with underserved populations.

With the classes that you are taking have you considered becoming a certified diabetes counselor? Or maybe apply your prereq's to physical training, sports injury trainer or PT/OT. The ones I know seem pretty happy, rarely work weekends or holidays and often moonlight at gyms and clinics for extra cash if they want to.

I love being a nurse - I wouldn't do it if I didn't - but it is full of stressful challenges, mandatory overtime and very strong personalities. It is not a one way ticket to financial freedom. Every nurse I know who has gone into it with the idea of pure financial benefit either don't last long or are tired and bitter.

Not trying to be mean -just keeping it real.

hppy

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