Entering Nursing school- passion is nueroscience

[Gilman96]

Hello,

I'm currently taking generals for nursing school. I'm currently scheduled to start nursing courses next fall 2013. I love nursing, but I have a overwhelming passion for behavioral neuroscience. There is a neuroscience program at a local university. I'm a little torn between the two. Should I drop out of nursing school and follow my passion in neurology, or should I get my RN degree and then continue onto neurology? The second cost would cost me in more student debt. Which is a better decision?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Cool. It's great to realize your passion. Neuro is my fave clinical area. My first (new grad) job in nursing was in a Neuro-Trauma ICU..... loved it. You are aware that 'entry level' in neuroscience is at the doctoral level, right? And jobs would be fairly limited in that field. Not that many academic centers - where these folks are employed.

Once you have your RN, you can move in a career direction to obtain your CNRN - neuroscience certification. As someone who once collected certifications, I can assure you that the CNRN was much more difficult/challenging than CCRN or CEN. For one thing, you have to have experience in a neuro specialty unit in order to qualify for the exam.... not easy to get. On the plus side, this clinical specialty is an area that most nurses avoid like the plague - don't understand why - so you may have a much better chance of getting a job in that area.

Best of luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It depends on what you want to do for a living. Do you want to do research in neuroscience? Or do you want to provide nursing care to people with neurological disorders? Those are 2 entirely different careers. Which career and job functions appeal to you most? Don't waste your time and money preparing for a career that doesn't really appeal to you.