Graduate School Options for new BSN - any ideas?

Published

Hi all,

I'm still in the BSN program at my school and will not be done for 2 more years. However, I am greatly considering going to graduate school to pursue other options beyond bedside care. If you could give me some feedback on the below I'd so greatly appreciate it:

1) First off, how long should I be working before it'd be good to go back to school after undergrad? Any suggestions?

2) I'm thinking about pursuing public health or something along those lines to pursue a position in an international health organization or something that allows me to work abroad--Do RN's pursue public health in grad school that often or are there other avenues to reach the same goal? I'm trying to figure something out but I'm still naiive about all this.

Thanks for reading. Take care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a firm believer in gettings ones "hands dirty." I never respected advanced practice or graduate degreed nurses who never did their time in the field. I graduated with my BSN in 97 and I am now just looking at going back to school. Try and at least get a couple of years under your belt before heading back to school. That is my advice, at least. Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a firm believer in gettings ones "hands dirty." I never respected advanced practice or graduate degreed nurses who never did their time in the field. I graduated with my BSN in 97 and I am now just looking at going back to school. Try and at least get a couple of years under your belt before heading back to school. That is my advice, at least. Best of luck.

Thanks for your insight. It seems proper that one would get knowledgable in their field in terms of experience before going back to school; I'll keep that in mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a firm believer in gettings ones "hands dirty." I never respected advanced practice or graduate degreed nurses who never did their time in the field. I graduated with my BSN in 97 and I am now just looking at going back to school. Try and at least get a couple of years under your belt before heading back to school. That is my advice, at least. Best of luck.

I agree. Learn about the real world before you go into an ivory tower. No offense, please. You just might find that you like the bedside.

As far as public health goes, an MPH might be the way to go (as opposed to an MSN).

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I worked for about 4 years before enrolling in grad school. Most people forget that while in grad school, you're generally working at the bedside anyway for at least 2 years to finish up that degree, so don't worry that you won't "pay your dues" before advancing your education.

I think it's ideal to have some bedside experience, but then again it can be a case-by-case basis. If you want to enter directly into graduate school because it is the right time, then DO SO. I never understood the "pay your dues" mentality in nursing. It's counterproductive.

As far as your question on what to do, I would suggest looking into a MPH (Masters in Public Health). That might give you the background you desire.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm the same as you but I already have an MPH and now I'm going into an accelerated BSN program.

You might look into the Peace Corps, it would give you some international experience and if you have any student loans you can defer paying them and the Peace Corps forgives 15% of them for each year of service. This is also a great way to get in on the international scene and make contacts.

You might also look into working at the CDC, WHO, NIH, UN or Red Cross.

I think an MPH is a good option either before or after working. I went straight through to get my MPH and now I'm working for a year or so before going for my BSN. I think its harder to go back once you get older and more settled down with kids or a husband maybe. Everyone is different though. Alot of people are going to graduate school now becuase the economy is so bad, the market will likely be much more competitive in 10 years or so.

You might want to check out the public health nursing part of this board.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The peace corps also has an option with certain schools where you can combine your masters studies with peace corps work experience. That way, when you graduate you have your masters and have already gotten your hands dirty so to speak, which makes you much more enticing to potential employers. It would be ideal for you since you can pursue the MPH.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion