Exercise Science to nursing degree

[futurenurse1657]

Hello!

I am entering as a college freshman this fall. I am planning on attending a JC for at least one year before moving on to a university. I am thinking of either attending Oregon State University or Indiana University. Indiana University offers a public health exercise science degree that I am very interested in. I am thinking of majoring in exercise science, and after I do so, I want to find a job in this career as I attend UCLA's MSN program. This program allows students who obtain other degrees to earn the RN, and it also allows students to take a clinical nurse leader exam and the California public health exam. The reason why I want to take this route, is because I have dreams of becoming a collegiate distance runner(I am running for the JC, and hope to run for Indiana). I know it would be hard to do so if I was obtaining a nursing degree at the same time. In the end, I want to work for non profit organizations as a travel nurse. Do you think that this is a good, legit plan? Is this plan reasonable? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

[Oh'Ello, BSN, RN]

***Ignore what I had previously written, I misread what you wrote!***

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I admire your enthusiasm and energy!

You have outlined some very specific educational goals. I would encourage you to investigate a bit more about the programs in which you are interested. You need to consider how selective they are... how many applicants versus how many are admitted; what this the GPA of those that are admitted? The truth is, you may be unable to gain admission to a program even though you have stellar grades, so it's best to always have a Plan B.

I would also encourage you to do a very thorough investigation of the job prospects for entry-level Masters nurses. In many parts of the country - including mine - they are not being hired. he CNL certification is meaningless because they have no actual clinical experience. They have to compete for new-grad jobs with hordes of ADN & BSN grads. Of course, this situation may change by the time you are ready to choose.

Best of luck in your education.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

If I were you, I would go for the RN at IU. It's a good school. A lot of doctors in this area graduated from there. There are great connections with IU hospital in Indy as it is a teaching hospital. I wouldn't waste time and money on an exercise science degree. I do applaud your well thought out goals. You are a very ambitious person.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Take it from someone who graduated with something similar to an exercise science degree: unless you are planning to go into PT or OT, it's not worth it. There's not much you can do with that degree unless you want to be a fitness trainer, which requires you to have a supplemental certification most of the time anyways.