Father going back to school for nursing - Need advice

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am starting my prereqs this fall and after nursing school I do not know what to choose. I can either further my education and get my BSN then got to CRNA school or get a BS and choose another field to go into such as go to medical school or DDS. The reason I'm becoming a nurse is I recently got laid off from work and I was signed up for a Texas paid program to pay for my tuition for 130 weeks and a RN fit the time limit criteria. I always wanted to be a nurse. I just got caught up with working 80 hour weeks and supporting my family. Being laid off with financial support and tuition covered is like a second chance for me. The reason I am considering a BS is because it opens many doors for other medical fields.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
There is a high demand in dallas tx so I am hoping there is a job out there when i graduate. so will it make a difference if a decide to get a BSN or a Biology degree?[/quote']

I would suggest going over to the Texas nurses forum...they are saturated with nurses in recent posts. There are SATURATED in metro and urban areas.

New nurses are NOT in high demand. :no:

As far as a Bio degree... Nursing and Bio have no correlation whatsoever based on career...most people that I know who had Bachelors in Bio went on to get their graduate degree, work in Pharmaceuticals, are research assistants or turned around and went back to school to get their BSN...a few posters on AN went for their ASN or BSN.

Again, you need to FULLY research what YOU want to do to make an informed decision...getting a Bio degree when you desire a nursing degree will certainly waste the free opportunity to get into nursing, or dentistry; whatever that you decide.

It's best for you to decide what you want. Research what your area nursing programs entail, what you need to do to become a dentist, etc. Check out salaries, job growth projection from the US labor Department site. Next check out the programs that would be a good fit for you; interview THEM; find out the requirements for entrance, what counseling and support they have for off campus/commuter students, etc.

Again, you have to make an informed decision. IF nursing is what you want, you owe it to yourself to research what's going on in your area in terms if new grad market-not from advertisements, but from REAL nurses...AN pretty much gives you a honest view of new grads and getting a job after graduation; as well as researching what entails being a nurse; feel free to do some shadowing; shadow a dentist as well...ask questions, and decide what you want.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
There is a high demand in dallas, tx so I am hoping there is a job out there when i graduate. so will it make a difference if a decide to get a BSN or a Biology degree?

*** Maybe there is high demand, or maybe not. There is a lot of false propaganda out there about a fake nursing shortage.

Obviously the BSN will prepare to to work as an RN and the bio degree won't. However the BSN isn't going to prepare you for medical or dental school the way a bio degree would if you took pre-med with it.

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On the other hand, my daughter-in law just finished up her two-year program in dental hygiene, passed her boards, and is now making a very nice income under low-stress conditions working very regular hours with weekends free. She is working 30 hours a week and earning a little over $50k a year. She could increase her hours and make even more if she wanted.

But you have lots of self-examining to do -- medical versus nursing, CRNA vs. dentist, etc. It's easy to get smitten by the CRNA bug because it pays extraordinarily well. But the training program is hard to get into, and the program itself extremely stressful and demanding.

But if you're looking for bullet-proof answers, there are none.

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On the other hand, my daughter-in law just finished up her two-year program in dental hygiene, passed her boards, and is now making a very nice income under low-stress conditions working very regular hours with weekends free. She is working 30 hours a week and earning a little over $50k a year. She could increase her hours and make even more if she wanted.

But you have lots of self-examining to do -- medical versus nursing, CRNA vs. dentist, etc. It's easy to get smitten by the CRNA bug because it pays extraordinarily well. But the training program is hard to get into, and the program itself extremely stressful and demanding.

But if you're looking for bullet-proof answers, there are none.

http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/dental-hygienist/Dental-Hygiene-Outlook/t472474

Dentistry and hygiene aren't so great either. Having been an assistant consisting both advancement options, I chose neither. Dentistry is tedious and dull. After much soul searching, I settled on nursing. With all of its challenges, it is also dynamic. That is a very attractive quality for me. Nursing also plays to my strengths. There is also more comadarie amongst nurses than other fields.

Most career changes are a gamble. The old paradigm of more education + reliable field = great pay is no longer as cut and dry.

We are inundated with the college educated.

Maybe look into a solid trade?

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*Considering (not consistently).

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Like some of have posted, some areas have a shortage of nursing jobs, in other areas such as where I live its not as bad. I found a job in an ER and charge nurse in Med/surge at a rural hospital straight out of school (associates degree). There seems to always be a few postings for RN positions (in hospital and outside). I would take a look at your local job sites / hospital postings to see what the job market looks like. See what qualifications they looking for (do they prefer BSN or not? ) Talk to some HR peopel from the hospitals. Get your LPN and work while you go to school. I did and it gave me nursing exp to put on my resume and lots of training and insight into the job..

As far as the BSN or BS it all depends to be honest. I personaly think the BSN is the route if you are sure you want to go nursing. If your still on the fence maybe a BS would be better just because it does allow options outside of nursing but still gives you the ability to further your career in nursing. Im new to the game so these are just what ive picked up the last year or so looking at furthering my education.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
\If your still on the fence maybe a BS would be better just because it does allow options outside of nursing but still gives you the ability to further your career in nursing.

*** How would a BS in bio give one the abiliety to further a career in nursing?

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*** How would a BS in bio give one the abiliety to further a career in nursing?

Some colleges now have programs if you have a Bachelors in any area you can go into their accelerated nursing program. In ohio this program is doing well.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm just curious how old you are, if you don't mind me asking? Also, you should obtain your BSN, I'm going to assume you are on the ADN track right now, is that correct? Once you have secured a job and obtain your BSN then you can move forward to the graduate level. You can become an FNP or there are many options for Nurse Practitioners (acute adult care, peds, etc.) Becoming a CRNA, now there is a lot to think about. You HAVE to work ICU for at least 3-5 years, the field is extremely competitive and you CAN NOT work while you are in that program. Most programs are 24-28 months straight, no time off. It's great once you are out and secure a job, however, If you have chosen that track just for the money then please don't do it. Have you ever been in an operating room, I suggest you shadow a CRNA to see if that is even something you'd like to do. As for me, I have an associates degree in science and I have 2 bachelor degrees one being a BSN. I have been a nurse on a cardiac floor for over 2 years now and I start grad school this fall in the FNP program. It is very hard and challenging. Anyhow, good luck on whatever adventure you decide to pursue.

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Since it sounds like you need to earn money...I would say do the AS program for an RN and get as many prereq. done together quickly and start the RN program. Then once you are hired and working, you can go for your BSN.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Some colleges now have programs if you have a Bachelors in any area you can go into their accelerated nursing program. In ohio this program is doing well.

*** Oh sure the old ABSN programs. Been around for years. The OP says he has funding for 130 weeks of school. Not enough to cover a bio BS and an ABSN.

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What I was meaning is get your Associates in Nursing, work while you can and get into a Bachelors. BS in most hospitals will be fine as long as you have the RN tag to go along with it. Personaly I would go with BSN but thats my preferance, he just needs to do research. Also getting your associates degree and working before will save you money if you decide to switch to another career with a BS down the road. Im not saying he SHOULD go BS but its still a viable option. My area does not have a preferance over associates or bachelors, though most require you to get a bachelors within 6 years of working with them.

(On a side not there are straight RN to MSN programs that can save you time and money as well if you find out you truely love nursing and want to move along with your education).

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