Entering nursing with an M.P.H. - where to look?

U.S.A. Georgia

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Specializes in Public Health.

Hello to everyone! I'm a newbie here, so please be gentle. :D

I'm currently employed as an epidemiologist/researcher, and while I love public health, I am seriously contemplating a career change into the wonderful world of nursing. I would love to have more direct contact with people (instead of a computer, LOL) and work in the health care field ASIDE from crunching numbers. Plus, I've always considered nursing or medicine as a career. I have an MPH in epidemiology from Emory (concentration: infectious diseases), and a BS in microbiology. But, I'm not exactly sure which nursing degree would be a better "fit" for me. Since I already have a health sciences-related BS and master's, would a BSN or MSN be redundant? Do I really need either of these to get into nursing at this poitn? I'm married with 2 young kiddos, so my time is precious - I think an intensive accelerated BSN or MSN program would be too hard on my family right now. I know Emory, GSU, and KSU have accelerated BSN programs in the ATL area, but I already owe Emory $$:lol2: and KSU is an hour away from my home.

Would an ADN be enough for me to become an RN, and would an RN make me a viable job candidate? If so, what schools would you recommend in the DeKalb/Clayton/Henry area?

Any advice and wisdom is welcome. Oh, I should also mention that I have an interest in the following specialties: OB, orthopedic, perioperative, infectious diseases (obviously!). I'm very open to nursing career options: bedside, research, etc.

Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Since I already have a health sciences-related BS and master's, would a BSN or MSN be redundant? Do I really need either of these to get into nursing at this poitn?

You don't need anything beyond an ADN to become an RN, true, but a BSN or MSN would not be redundant, in my opinion. A new nurse with advanced/other degrees is still a new nurse. I don't know how the job market is in your area (I'm in Georgia but in the Army), but in so many places, RNs with BSNs are preferred over ADNs. That's not to say BSN-prepared nurses are better than ADN-prepared nurses, but .... it is what it is out there.

There was a recent thread somewhere on allnurses about ADN-prepared RNs with a BS in another field ... would that count as the same thing as a BSN for employers? I think the bottom line was no, it wouldn't ... the BSN (or MSN) curriculum is unique and specific to nursing.

Good luck in finding the perfect program, and welcome to allnurses!

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Specializes in Public Health.
There was a recent thread somewhere on allnurses about ADN-prepared RNs with a BS in another field ... would that count as the same thing as a BSN for employers? I think the bottom line was no, it wouldn't ... the BSN (or MSN) curriculum is unique and specific to nursing.

Good luck in finding the perfect program, and welcome to allnurses!

Thanks so much for the advice! I guess I hadn't really considered the specifics of the BSN curriculum, but you make a very good point. I will definitely continue to explore the BSN option.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I know this is an old thread ... but I am curious as to what you decided to do. I have an MPH from Tulane and just applied to a BSN program for the fall. I'd love to know your experience.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Postpartum.

I also have an MPH, and applied to a BSN program for Fall 2014 entry. Any updates to share? They would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

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