I really need advice!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I started a thread yesterday about wanting to change my career from Teaching to Nursing...it's a really hard decision for me to make!!

I'm 24 years old and this is actually my 3rd year of Teaching 8th graders. I was always torn between wanting to be a Teacher or a Nurse. I eventually went in the Teaching route and I absolutely love it. My 8th graders are a riot!! I never have a dull moment.

BUT at the same time...I still want give Nursing a try too. My husband is a Doctor. I've asked him and his colleagues for their opinions. My husband was a little hesitant at first about me becoming a Nurse but now says he'll support my decision if I do.

Is there a way for me to shadow a nurse for a few days over the weekend? I think if I shadow a nurse it'll help me make my decision a lot easier.

And for those of you wondering...I'm not sitting in my classroom posting threads on here...I actually have the week off from catching H1N1 from my students. Blah.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Hospice, Home Health, Dementia.

Oh no! Good luck with the flu!

Is your husband a doctor in a hospital? I would think he could easily set you up with a nurse to shadow.... it should be fairly easy to do, but to get the full experience, make sure you shadow at a hospital and not Dr's office. Good Luck! I LOVE nursing! Im only 26, I am a new LVN and life is fabulous following my dreams! It takes a certain kind of person to be a nurse, if you think you can do it... then go for it!!!!! If you have the heart to be a teacher for 8th graders, then you will be a wonderful nurse!

Good luck to you! Let me know!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Sometimes you can hook up with the resource nurse and help put out 'fires', or help when unit's get slammed in all the units throughout the hospital, it's a good way to check out different areas. Also if you love working with 8th graders, you clearly have a great sense of humor, inner strength and dedication. All qualities required of nurses... and a huge portion of what we do is teaching. Give it a try! I assume you have at least a BS, check out accelerated BSN programs in your area, sometimes called fast-track... mine was 16 months to a BSN. If you have a MS, some universities offer a MS to RN or MSN program. I attached a list of Fast Track programs in the US... if you can't read it or somehow I was outsmarted by my computer yet again... which appears is the case... just google 'fast track nursing' or go to (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF)

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, my husband is a doctor at a large teaching hospital. I'm going to wait until he gets home today to see what he can do to help me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sometimes you can hook up with the resource nurse and help put out 'fires', or help when unit's get slammed in all the units throughout the hospital, it's a good way to check out different areas. Also if you love working with 8th graders, you clearly have a great sense of humor, inner strength and dedication. All qualities required of nurses... and a huge portion of what we do is teaching. Give it a try! I assume you have at least a BS, check out accelerated BSN programs in your area, sometimes called fast-track... mine was 16 months to a BSN. If you have a MS, some universities offer a MS to RN or MSN program. I attached a list of Fast Track programs in the US... if you can't read it or somehow I was outsmarted by my computer yet again... which appears is the case... just google 'fast track nursing' or go to (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF)

Good luck!!

I currently have a MS in Ed (Master of Science in Education) to become a School Administrator (ie: Principal, Assistant Principal, etc)....but I realize being an Administrator is definitely not for me.

So my question...Since I already have my Masters degree...is it easier to get an MSN?

Or do I have to get an RN first and then MSN? I'm sorry if my questions sound really stupid!!!

I'm just trying to get my questions answered.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes you need your RN before MSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Shadowing a nurse is a great idea, and I would STRONGLY recommend that you spend time in a hospital before investing the time into becoming a nurse. Perhaps during summer vacation you could work as a CNA? It will really give you a feel for patient interaction. Some people, even if they are great teachers, may not do well with sick and demanding patients.

Also, just be aware that even shadowing or working as a CNA does not prepare you for the overwhemling stress in nursing. I thought 2 years as a CNA had showed me what being a nurse was about, but I was very surprised when I graduated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
yes you need your RN before MSN.

Not necessarily. Some programs have entry level MSN (also known as direct entry MSN) programs that prepare students with bachelor's degrees in other fields to become advanced practice nurses or clinical nurse leaders. From what I've read from students and graduates of those programs, a person needs to be very determined and have a pretty good idea of what he/she wants to do in a nursing career in order to succeed in a ELMSN program. If you would like more information on ELMSN programs, please check out VickyRN's blog, The Teacher's Corner, here on AN. There's been an interesting discussion re: the pros and cons of this kind of program after her blog about the ELMSN.

To the OP, if you are interested in nursing but aren't sure if you want to do bedside care, advanced practice or if you aren't sure in what area you might wish to specialize, strongly consider an accelerated BSN program, which can be rigorous but will prepare you to be an RN with a bachelor's degree in less than two years, not including prerequisites. The BSN will give you the most flexibility in terms of employment and is often the preferred degree for nurses working in certain specialties or in Magnet hospitals. Moreover, getting your BSN and then working before you start graduate school will not only help you increase your level of expertise in skills and critical thinking but it can also give you the opportunity to find out exactly what you want before you make the commitment of specializing during grad school.

Good luck to you in whatever career path you choose and I hope you feel better soon!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment