Considering "Crossing that Line"

[Merc529]

Hello all,

I'm in desperate need of some help and advice. I will try to make this short! I graduated from ISU in 1991 with a B.S. in Education. Years after, I decided to give up teaching and get into the medical field. I chose to go into Radiologic Technology. I have been a RT® for 12 years now. I am currently working in a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. (I have worked in the Cath Lab for 11 years) We always used to joke about RN duties vs RT duties and being careful not to "cross that line". Fortunately, for me it really is just a joke in the lab I work in and we are all cross-trained into each other's jobs just short of needing to rely on the MD's license to cover our behinds. I am very proud of being an RT®, but, lately I feel the need for change. Especially in this economy. Our lab just faced some "right sizing" (don't ya love it!) and we lost 2 RNs and 1 RT®. It was very difficult for all of us, however the RT® couldn't find a job because the demand just isn't out there any longer. Three years ago, I could have had any Cath Lab job I wanted served to me on a gold platter! Now, I am not saying there are RN jobs just overflowing out there, but when I think about what I would have done if it was myself that had been let go, I had no answer. For the RNs, they had a lot more flexibility. I feel if I went back and got my RN, I would 1. be more marketable, and most importantly 2. be able to offer more skills to my patients.

Okay, so much for making it short...on to my question. I have been researching schools. I don't know if I would have to go for a ADRN, or if with my current B.S. if I can just take the RN classes to get the BSN. I must work full time (oh, yeah and be on call!) so, I am looking for something I can work on slowly. I know I need to contact the schools and speak with the counselors, but before I do that, I want to have all my questions ready. I am not even sure I know what to ask. I am not confiding in my fellow RNs at work for a couple of reasons, but mostly because if I choose not to pursue, I wouldn't want to get any well meaned "grief" from them! So any suggestions, comments, words of wisdom would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

[Noimanurse]

I would have to say that with your Radiology experience coupled with the RN, you should certainly have some interesting possibilities out there. If you are needing to pursue the RN slowly, it would seem to me that the ADN route might work best, it seems its easier to work and get the ADN, but on the other hand depending on what type of route you want to go the BSN might be preferred. What are the opportunities to advance your education in radiology? Could you add different certificates to make yourself more marketable and a bigger service to patients? just my ideas...

[StyleNurse, BSN, RN]

Even though you have a BS in education you would end up doing about a year or two of prerequisites for any nursing program. I would recommend working slowly on all of your pre reqs and go for the BSN program. BSN or ADN are both two year programs so thats why I decided to pursue the BSN instead. Also, having a BSN may make you more marketable. Since you already have a degree you may be able to get into accelerated BSN programs as well. Good luck!

[afox]

My advice would be take your prereqs slowly, but once those are done you should apply to an accelerated BSN program like ISU has now. Its only one year for your BSN since you already have a bachelors degree as opposed to the 2 for an ADN,that you would have to take @ a community college.

I think that with all of your medical experience, you would do just fine in an accelerated program, especially because a lot of people that take that route have never worked in healthcare in their lives!

[cookderosa]

My advice would be take your prereqs slowly, but once those are done you should apply to an accelerated BSN program like ISU has now. Its only one year for your BSN since you already have a bachelors degree as opposed to the 2 for an ADN,that you would have to take @ a community college.

I think that with all of your medical experience, you would do just fine in an accelerated program, especially because a lot of people that take that route have never worked in healthcare in their lives!

**BUT** you'd have to quit working full time. Make no mistake, accelerated means accelerated. Some schools may even require you "sign" something that you agree not to work. I just had my aBSN interview today, and they were very firm that even my 1/per week volunteer job might get in the way. (and I took 21 credits per semester for my other BA)