In MSW program, want to switch to RN

[kasha123]

Hi all, Since 2004, I have wanted to become a nurse, but with a Bachelor's already, I was afraid to make the leap and had been talked out of it by my mother who went to nursing school and quit.

I ended up with a Sociology degree and have been working non-profit and now at a University. Since I have tuition waivers at my school, I ended up going for a part-time evening MSW at the university I work for. I am about halfway through the program (part time) and I also work full-time and finding that I am disillusioned by social work. I love helping people and always knew that I wanted to work in the helping field, but I feel that social work, counselling is a long process where I am action-oriented and solution focus-based. Not that pay is impt. but I will be making significantly less money than I do now and feel I would start at the bottom even after 10 years working in community social work. I love the idea of Medical Social work, but see how few jobs there are and also notice that the CM jobs require an RN. I feel that I get bored in one speciality easily and want to try several different things, like public health, case management, Labor and delivery, education, etc. I feel with nursing it might be easier to try new things. In Social work, you can do the same, but not so easily. Please tell me your experiences.

Now, I'm not sure what to do. I want to go back and get my 2nd degree RN, what I've wanted to do 5 years ago. I am in a better position to make that leap (because I have a supportive bf that would allow me to do my studies). Should I go for it or finish my MSW first now that I'm already half-way through? I have not yet started my pre-reqs but have some fulfilled from coursework. Thank you! Any MSWs out there who became an RN? What is your exp. and did you regret it or glad you made the switch?

[Tolos]

Go for it, only after you have recieved your MSW, that way you have both options of a career. My husband is an MSW, the pay is not good compared to nursing but it's got perks. He runs his own case management business, funded mostly with federal and state grants that have taken to make presentations at the white house and different places. You can benefit from being a nurse and an MSW in this recession.

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

There's a nurse on my floor who was a social worker and now has a bachelor's in nursing.