My Dilemma...What would you do??

[Princessluvv]

ok here is my dilemma..

i have my bs in nutrition and will receive my masters in public health this august. i have been working as a nutritionist for 2.5 years in a public health program. as a nutritionist, i counsel pregnant and postpartum women along with their children on the importance of eating healthy foods and routine physical activity. there isn't much room for growth as far as the clinical aspect of a patients care. if you are familiar with the wic program, it is pretty much a routine operation where people receive vouchers to obtain food. i do like my job, but i feel like there is something missing. i recently got accepted into an adn program and would begin this fall. i already completed my prereqs. through my undergraduate program so the only classes i would be taking would be in nursing. i have been reading the allnurses forum for a several weeks to gain insight. i even went to the library to check out "nursing against the odds" and am half-way completed with the book. i have even asked nurses who no longer work in the hospital what their thoughts were on my situation. some are excited for me, while others give me a beware look. although i have learned a great deal about the nursing profession and think that its a great field despite the negativity involved, i'm scared to leave this same-ole same-ole profession because of the economy. it has security here, but one day we plan to move and this job my not be so secure. wic may be a federal/state program but each state has there rules and salaries. you may get paid 37,000 in one place and then move and get 29,000 (even if you have your rd). the complexing issue is the fact that if i dont go to nursing school now, then my prereqs expire and i would have to retake all of these classes all over again. who wants to do that??? my fiance and i will be getting married in february and we don't have any children at this moment so it seems like it would be slightly easier to handle nursing school. he doesn't mind me going through with the adn program, however, he has voiced to me that he wants to finish school and that there is a possibility he would not be able to work fulltime because the engineering program is rigorous. how would we make it? financial aid, loans and part-time jobs? it's a good thing we downsized to an apartment and are saving money. i think nursing is a great field and i think that i would be good at it. i also think that i would be able to more well-rounded in the healthcare field by combining my public health background with the clinical aspects of nursing.....so tell what me what would you do in this situation?

[Straydandelion]

I am guessing since you posted this in a nursing forum you have already made up your mind .. or mostly. I would do what you think you would enjoy the most, and it doesn't hurt to try something new.

[retiredlady]

I think that I would work as a nutritionist. You could change and work in the hospital or a dialysis unit. That way you wouldn't have a ton of student loans to pay back. Both careers have their good and bad points and you probably come out the same financially. ( do you have loans to pay back now?) You would make more as a nurse, but if you have student loans it would lower your pay. ( Can you handle blood and other bodily functions, cranky patients, doctors etc.) I am just giving you more to think about. Good luck in whatever you do.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

hmm - Food for thought . . . I doubt whether engineering education is more "rigorous" than nursing education . I agree with previous posters. Hang on to your current job because it looks like your future hubby is expecting you to support him while he is in school.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I would stick with the job you have now, especially since you have invested so much education and time and money into it. I think nutrition is such a great field to be in! Nursing isn't all that it's cracked up to be---many many unhappy and miserable nurses. If your not happy with your job, why not seek out another job??

I love the job I have now, but most nursing jobs are pretty crappy honestly.

[Princessluvv]

I understand what you are saying, but I'm not an RD. So the idea for working within a hospital in a dialysis unit is not realistic for me. Besides, pediatrics or L&D are my biggest interests. Currently, my loans are not out of hand and i have been paying them while have been in school, but I am nervous to add more. Also, because it is an ADN program, it is easier for me to pay out of pocket. I also forgot to mention that I am a CNA, so to some degree I understand what is expected of me. Also Blood, stool, and other fluids are things that I can handle. In addition, I know nursing is not less complex than engineering, I was implying that it was difficult within its own field.

Thank you guys for all your comments.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Isn't there something else you can do with your graduate degree? I agree with marilynmom... it's not as rosy as people may believe.

Plus, (readers, correct me if I am wrong) since your degrees are not in the field of nursing, you will only be noted as having an ADN - your advanced education is not a BSN or MSN and therefore would not count in this field.

Something else to consider...you'd have to get another bachelors and masters.

[sunray12]

Congrats on your MPH. A lot of ADN programs have a pt option. So maybe if that's something you can do if you don't feel comfortable about giving up your day job just yet and keep it for a while as you go to school. The other option is that since you have your cna license you could find a job in a hospital. It sounds like you could go a long way with a MPH + MSN. If you start at the ADN level you are looking at a few more years of school post-RN, but if you work as you go you might find an employer to help to foot the bill, and doesn't hurt to get to know the business from the ground up. Good luck whichever way you decide.

[Princessluvv]

Hi Sunray12

I didn't realize that it would be considered to be a step down to get my ADN. The school that offers a BSN program closest to me requires that I sign a 3 year contract with a specific hospital. Do my credits expire if I chose to do it later in a BSN program? I have much to consider and its a decision that is truly difficult to make.

[David13, MSN, RN]

Dietitians, at least those that I know, do not have to worry about working evenings, nights, weekend or holidays, being on-call, or having life-and-death responsibilities. Nothing, on the other hand, offers more variety than nursing in terms of types of positions available and the ability to try new things.

In the final analysis, you obviously are not completely content in your current position or you wouldn't be thinking of making a change. Food for thought: Most of the regrets people have in life are for the things they did NOT do.

[KneKno]

Are there any programs close too you that offer an accelerated RN program? You end up with a BSN as a second degree, accelerated cause you have a bachelor's in another subject. I'm thinking about possible long term career possibilities utilizing both degrees--community based programs for at risk moms, kids; public health nursing. Or, you might find your niche in an area you've not yet even considered. (In school, I wanted to do peds until I found out I didn't really like sick kids!)

I'd suggest talking to a college counselor, see what kind of suggestions they have. Michele

[Jenifer819]

I say to follow your gut. Imagine yourself five years from now as an RN or five years from now as a dietician. How do you feel after imagining each one? may seem trivial and silly, but I believe my gut. If it is what you're supposed to do..it will all work out. There are scholarships GALORE out there. I have an ADN from Texas and rec'd 2 scholarships for both years. Only paid for books and all I had to do is apply. What I love about nursing is that there are so many different opportunities...different specialites...hospital work, clinics, dr's offices, school nursing. The list goes on and on. If I get bored, then I can change specialties. I love nursing and wish you the best of luck on your decision.