Finish bio degree or switch to BSN?? HELP!!

[michellesb]

I'm going to try to make this as short as possible..sorry if it's too long :). I'm currently finishing my 3rd year as a bio major at CC. I've already taken animal bio, cell bio, molecular bio, plant bio, 1 yr gen chem, 1 yr physics (calculus based), 1 yr calculus, stats, anatomy, physiology, plus many more classes that are required for bio majors and right now I have a 3.9 GPA. I'm 21 and I support myself and I have almost reached the max. amount I can take out in undergrad student loans and I already have a lot of debt, so I'm reconsidering even finishing my bio degree and just switching over to nursing. Since I'm applying to transfer next semester, I need to decide now what classes I'm taking next semester to fulfill my pre-reqs to transfer. If I want to go the bio route i need 1 yr ochem + 1 yr ochem lab and I would transfer as a physiology major to UCLA or UCSD. If i want to transfer to a bsn i need microbio, comm and I think psych or sociology and I would also have time to get CNA and EMT certified before I transfer.

I've always known that I want to work in the medical field but I still don't know exactly where. I do know I don't want to go to medical school. I started pursuing my bio degree because i figured that when I finished my bio degree I would have the option to go the BSN route or the PA route. If I go the BSN route I would definitely go on to get an MSN as an NP or CRNA. I love both options (MSN or PA) a lot, both have pros and cons for me, but I know I am completely capable of doing both. I just can't decide which one I would be happier doing in the long run because I have no experience yet and right now my schedule is to crazy for me to shadow anyone. So, right now I really need to hear as much as I can from your personal experience working as a nurse or working with PAs. I've been doing a lot of research and reading a lot of the threads related to PA vs RN, etc and I think the best option for me would be going the BSN route (it's shorter, more time with patients, I can work while going to school, independent, work less hrs, more time for family, etc) but I'm scared that I'm risking too much with not finishing my bio degree after 3 yrs of hard work.

My main concerns of going the BSN route are that: I know I'm good at science classes but I don't know how well I'll do in the sociology, nursing theory, psychology classes. Also, I heard that right now there is a saturation of nurses in southern california, i don't want to throw away my bio degree and then graduate from nursing and not have a job. My main concerns going the bio route: finish 3 more intense years and then realize that I still want to be a nurse and I'll have too much debt and a degree so I won't qualify for financial aid for the BSN anymore. Any advice would be helpful right now in comparing nursing and PA. I really want to make the right decision. Also, if you could answer some of these questions from a nurses point of view i would really appreciate it.

1) In southern CA, is there a shortage or saturation of RN, NP, CRNA and PA? do you think it will be like this in 2-3 more yrs?

2) For nurses (RN, NP, CRNA): normally how many hours do you work a week? how many vacation weeks? normally how long are your shifts? If you know how this compares to a PA's schedule please feel free to answer as well.

3) What do you like and dislike about your job?

4) what do you like and dislike about PAs?

5) what are your daily tasks?

**I have no intention to offend anyone, so if anything I said is incorrect PLEASE correct me I know i'm not an expert at all.**

Thank you guys for any feedback!!

[Gingilly]

Hi, independent new grad Rn here, located in Los Angeles. My advice is finish your bio degree then go direct entry msn. Start volunteering at hospitals , shadow Np etc to get some exposure. Don't waste time w/ bsn when you have higher option.

There seems to be a glut in Cali w/ few jobs due to experienced Rns holding on to theirs. Also there are a lot of new RNs being churned. My last interview was 307 applicants for 7 positions.....

I'm going to assume your other q's don't apply to me since I'm self employed. I do wellness consulting.

Good luck, sounds like an enviable start in your young life!

Gin

[Buran09]

I second that. Finish your Bio degree. Then you will have a choice of going for nursing, pharmacy, or physical therapy.

[caliotter3]

When you apply to nursing school, for interviews or an application essay, remember that admissions committees are used to hearing that applicants have dreamt of becoming nurses all their lives, not opted to go into nursing as a hasty plan B decision when they decided they didn't like their first occupational choice.

[Gingilly]

I agree w/ what Cali posted. Which is another reason why you should start volunteering and getting into the nursing field while youre working on your bio degree. Then, when youre interviewing you can do the whole I've always wanted to be a Nurse speech (and wanted a solid bio background to base my nursing decision on) Getting this degree will also give you more flexibility later in life...

Check out this link to see what a bio degree can lead to

50 Things To Do With A Biology Degree

In comparison a nursing degree will prepare you only for nursing, which has many options but all in nursing only. Again my advice is get the bio degree then use it to leap into the NP field. Your reward will be more money and less stress- potentially- than bedside nursing. You've got youth on your side and can afford to make some more daring decisions. I esp. encourage you as a young woman who may want a family to consider this option. Good luck to you

Jen