I live in California and I have been admitted into UC Berkeley which is an amazing school and would be my dream school if they had a nursing major. Unfortunately, they don't. Whenever someone at my school finds out I got into UC Berkeley, they expect me to go there. It's a lot of pressure. I talked to my school counselor and she helped me in sorting out all of my feelings and I decided I wanted to go to Sacramento State because they have a very reputable nursing program and as a future nurse, that is my dream school. However, one of my teachers insists on me going to UC Berkeley. Also right after I spoke with my counselor, the college and career lady at my school came up to me and asked what my plans for the fall were. I told her was I was planning to attend Sacramento State this fall, even though I got into UC Berkeley. I explained how Sac State has the major I want and she was shocked. She said she didn't want me to be "selling myself short" (as a nurse and attending Sac State) and that she thinks I should be a pediatrician instead. Then she talked about doctors salaries and how her sister is a doctor and is happy. Everyone keeps bringing it back to the money but honestly, I don't care about the money! I just want to be a pediatric nurse. I have to make my admissions decision by May 1st. Can you guys weigh in on this? Are there any UCB students out there pursuing nursing? No one is taking me seriously because I'm choosing a school that isn't that prestigious over a school that is really prestigious. As a first generation college student, I don't have much guidance and I feel like the guidance I am getting at my high school isn't really helping. Can any nurses tell me the pros and cons of their careers? Do you guys have any advice for me? What would you tell the high school senior version of yourself? Thank you so much guys, sorry for the very lengthy post. I really appreciate any help.
Oh and one more thing, would it be possible for you to shadow at a local hospital with a Peds RN? My hospital offers programs like this. We also tend to hire our volunteers/current employees :)
This is a great idea and I'm going to look into this ASAP, thank you so much! I have some research to do! I was trying to find a spot for volunteering in Pediatrics or even anything having to do with direct patient contact but they often want experience that I don't have. The last time I looked I was 17, now as an 18-year-old, I'm sure there's going to be a few more spots for me!
Similarly, I had debated between becoming an RN and a PA, so I applied to UC Berkeley and a few CSUs and was accepted to all. After a job shadow, I decided nursing was definitely the right move for me, so I went to CSU Chico and got my nursing degree; I've been an RN for 1.5 years now and I've never looked back :) I've always been proud for getting into UCB, but a degree from a prestigious college does not necessarily a happy career make!
Also, in regards to pay, Pediatricians are some of the lowest paid MDs out there, and the student loan debt is massive. If being a pediatrician is your heart's desire, then forget about the money and go for it, but if being a pediatric RN is what you TRULY want, I say go for it! Sac State does have a good nursing program, and you get to do clinicals at specialized Childten's hospitals (such as Shriner's), which will be great experience for your dream of being a pediatric nurse! Good luck in whichever path you choose :)
Wow, that sounds like an amazing opportunity! Thank you so much, this is exactly the kind of guidance I was looking for at my school. I'm really glad you're happy with your choice and you played a big role in helping me make mine too. I really appreciate it :)
I can't speak to the impacted-ness of CA or to your financial situation, but wanted to encourage you a bit. :)
I decided to go into nursing when I was 20, after 2 yrs studying music. My prestigious music program was sucking my joy of singing, and the prospect of being a starving artist was looming large. I had been working as a CNA however -- I'd had the opportunity to take the class for free while I was a Sr. in high school. I loved it! So I made the decision to continue on that track.
I love, love being a nurse!! I am married to a CFO and am a mommy to five amazing kids, and I continue to work because I love it. Actually while on maternity leave 3 yrs ago, my husband asked if I wanted to be a SAHM and I started to cry and said "I can't leave." I did cut my hours though.
On that note, one great thing about nursing is I can work as much or as little as I want to. I have had jobs in the past where I simply pick which shifts I wanted once the full-timers were scheduled. My sister is a geologist and has two little ones under age 3, and would love to work part time, but her company doesn't have that as an option; it's full time or quit.
I spent 3 weeks in the hospital when I was 8 yrs old, an hour away from home. My mom spent the first night with me and visited a bit each day, but I had a 3 yr old sister at home, and we only had one vehicle. I will never, ever forget those nurses who cared for me -- not for my lungs, for me.
And if anyone acts like you're settling, ask them who they think is monitoring and caring for that patient during the other 23 hrs when the MD is not there? I'm sure they want intelligent professionals there.
Consider studying nursing at another University of California campus. That way you can have a prestigious school AND nursing. I have a nursing degree from UCLA (M.N. '86). At one time, the UC schools tried to limit themselves to only graduate level nursing education. However, as I recollect, several campuses are back in the BSN business now.
There is NO REASON that you have to start your college studies at Sac State if you intend to study nursing there. A HUGE portion of nursing students in BSN programs are transfers from other colleges. That means that you could go to Berkeley for a couple of years and THEN decide where you will apply to enter nursing school.
I assume that you realize that freshman admission to Sac State almost certainly does NOT mean that you are accepted into the Sac State nursing program... yet.
Do some reading about physician satisfaction in the US currently. I remember reading a piece that said that a HUGE portion of physicians surveyed in the US would NOT recommend that their children become physicians. Here are two articles to get you started:
Phew! I'm glad to hear about your decision to attend Sacramento State. I bet that most nurses, when asked about your former HS-UCB-ABSN nursing plan, would cringe (especially if you KNOW you want to be a nurse). Why delay your nursing dreams by 4-5 years? Why earn a bachelor's degree that won't be helpful in your nursing career? Don't be a degree collector - I have friends that are embarrassed about how many degrees they've earned (one friend with 3 bachelor's, 1 master's and 2 doctoral degrees, and a LOT of debt).
And don't get sucked into the hype about prestige and elitism. You'll have school pride from wherever you decide to graduate from. If anything, you should be more picky about your employer than your school (granted, some employers love prestigious schools, but this is more associated with the fields of business, law and medicine).
I can't speak to the impacted-ness of CA or to your financial situation, but wanted to encourage you a bit. :)
I decided to go into nursing when I was 20, after 2 yrs studying music. My prestigious music program was sucking my joy of singing, and the prospect of being a starving artist was looming large. I had been working as a CNA however -- I'd had the opportunity to take the class for free while I was a Sr. in high school. I loved it! So I made the decision to continue on that track.
I love, love being a nurse!! I am married to a CFO and am a mommy to five amazing kids, and I continue to work because I love it. Actually while on maternity leave 3 yrs ago, my husband asked if I wanted to be a SAHM and I started to cry and said "I can't leave." I did cut my hours though.
On that note, one great thing about nursing is I can work as much or as little as I want to. I have had jobs in the past where I simply pick which shifts I wanted once the full-timers were scheduled. My sister is a geologist and has two little ones under age 3, and would love to work part time, but her company doesn't have that as an option; it's full time or quit.
I spent 3 weeks in the hospital when I was 8 yrs old, an hour away from home. My mom spent the first night with me and visited a bit each day, but I had a 3 yr old sister at home, and we only had one vehicle. I will never, ever forget those nurses who cared for me -- not for my lungs, for me.
And if anyone acts like you're settling, ask them who they think is monitoring and caring for that patient during the other 23 hrs when the MD is not there? I'm sure they want intelligent professionals there.
Thank you so much for sharing, you completely reinforced my decision! :) I hope to be that kind of nurse some day. Haha, thanks for that last quip I'll be sure to say that next time someone tries to tell me I'm "selling myself short."
Phew! I'm glad to hear about your decision to attend Sacramento State. I bet that most nurses, when asked about your former HS-UCB-ABSN nursing plan, would cringe (especially if you KNOW you want to be a nurse). Why delay your nursing dreams by 4-5 years? Why earn a bachelor's degree that won't be helpful in your nursing career? Don't be a degree collector - I have friends that are embarrassed about how many degrees they've earned (one friend with 3 bachelor's, 1 master's and 2 doctoral degrees, and a LOT of debt).
And don't get sucked into the hype about prestige and elitism. You'll have school pride from wherever you decide to graduate from. If anything, you should be more picky about your employer than your school (granted, some employers love prestigious schools, but this is more associated with the fields of business, law and medicine).
Yay, I'm so glad to hear this. You're completely right. Thank you, I don't have doubts about my decision now :)
Consider studying nursing at another University of California campus. That way you can have a prestigious school AND nursing. I have a nursing degree from UCLA (M.N. '86). At one time, the UC schools tried to limit themselves to only graduate level nursing education. However, as I recollect, several campuses are back in the BSN business now.
There is NO REASON that you have to start your college studies at Sac State if you intend to study nursing there. A HUGE portion of nursing students in BSN programs are transfers from other colleges. That means that you could go to Berkeley for a couple of years and THEN decide where you will apply to enter nursing school.
I assume that you realize that freshman admission to Sac State almost certainly does NOT mean that you are accepted into the Sac State nursing program... yet.
Do some reading about physician satisfaction in the US currently. I remember reading a piece that said that a HUGE portion of physicians surveyed in the US would NOT recommend that their children become physicians. Here are two articles to get you started:
Thank you so much for commenting! I remember when I spoke to a lot of people about my prior wish to be a pediatrician they were telling me the same things including the lack of work-life balance and physicians having a very high rate of divorce. I applied to UCLA but I had not intended on going to SoCal so I never completed the supplemental nursing application. I don't regret my decision though. I don't think I'd be happy in SoCal. Yes, I know that the nursing program is not a guarantee but I am prepared to work my hardest for the chance. I'll be applying to several nursing programs when the time comes and hopefully, my academic advisors in college will have some tips for me. Thank you again! :)
Sounds like you've already made your decision, but I just wanted to encourage you.
I went to UCSD and am now pursuing an ABSN. I had to take a year between UCSD and nursing school to finish some nursing prerequisites, so once I finish nursing school, it will have taken me 6.5 years to become a nurse. That's not only a waste of time, but a waste of money/more debt compared to people who get a Bachelor's in Nursing from the get go. I wish that UCSD had had a nursing program and that I was already working as a nurse, but unfortunately I didn't decide I wanted to be a nurse till after I started at UCSD. My advice to you is forget the school names. No matter where you go, you will get an education, and once you become a nurse it won't matter where you got the BSN from; all that will matter is that you passed the NCLEX.
Don't make the route longer for yourself! And don't take the med school route if it isn't something you're interested in because that will make you miserable. Med school is an additional 4 years AFTER undergrad plus residency! If you want to be a nurse, go to Sac State and become a nurse asap!
habi14
22 Posts
This is a great idea and I'm going to look into this ASAP, thank you so much! I have some research to do! I was trying to find a spot for volunteering in Pediatrics or even anything having to do with direct patient contact but they often want experience that I don't have. The last time I looked I was 17, now as an 18-year-old, I'm sure there's going to be a few more spots for me!