I'm confused: CO or RN

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So let me explain.

I'm 22 years old and currently going to a community college and I'm completing my prerequisites in order to apply for a nursing program. I'm 2 years in and still have to take my HESI A2 entrance exam which I have planed to take in the summer of 2016. I'm only 2 semesters away from completing my pre-reqs. (In case you're wondering on why it's taking me so long to complete my pre-reqs, it's because I fear failure. I take 2-3 classes at at time to make sure I pass with a good grade the first time.)

Here's the problem. Since I'm the kind of person who likes to have choices, I went and took my correctional officer exam just to have a plan B. This was about 2 years ago from now which is the time it takes for them to give you a response; which they did. I couldn't go into training because they require 39 college credits and I only have 33. Next semester I'm taking 7 credits ( micro and math) which would put me in a total of 40 credits. I'm still in their system and they're giving me until 2019 to get the remaining credits I need.

Being a nurse is my dream job. I love to help people and what better way to do it if it's saving their lives. But now I have an opportunity to be a correctional officer which I also like. I guess what I'm asking here is for advices. What would you guys do in this hard situation of choosing a career path? Being a registered nurse in 3 years (1 year for two semesters of pre-reqs and 2 years of the program) OR a correctional officer in one semester and 6 months of training.

Not that this is important but just in case you guys want to know my nursing Pre-reqs grades:

A&P1: A-

A&P2: C+ (it was way more difficult)

ENG12 (composition and rhetoric 1): A+

HLT91(critical issue in health): A

PSY11(intro):A

PSY40 (life span): A+

SOC11: B-

Optional classes just for credits

CPR: A

MTH13: C+

MUS11: A

ENG10:B

MTH06:B

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RN by far. While being an RN can have a high burn out rate there are vastly more opportunities and change of pace jobs...

Every CO I have known or have heard of could only do the job for a years and most became extremely jaded. Limited versatility and burn out also plague the job as well.

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Specializes in critical care.

Being a CO has sucked the joy out of my husband. He regularly receives death threats from people who have the minds (and life-long sentences) to pull off a murder. While being a nurse does require constant vigilance because you could have a patient crash any time, COs have to be hypervigilant because of threats of violence literally every minute of every shift. Being a CO might be an interesting idea to help you get through school, but I'm not sure I would ever recommend it as a long term career option. I tip my hat to those who are able to do it.

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Hello,

I have to say your story is all to familiar. I have been CO for the past 5 years. There are so many pros and cons to both. I started my career because of burn our in the health care industry. And like you it was easy and quicker to get going compared to starting my RN. There are many different levels of custody and I think where you work really makes a difference on what type of offender you will get. Like any job it gets routine and you need change. It is intimidating and scary at first but then it just becomes an everyday thing. I actually love the correctional world. I knew though I needed something more in my life so I went back to school for my RN while still a correctional officer. Failed my NCLEX due to lack of motivation and still havent taken them due to the same reason. Once I pass and start my nursing carreer I will stay in the correctional world the team work is like you will never find anywhere else. You are like a family. I hope this helps in some way help you in your decision.

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Specializes in Neuro.

If you go CO route, especially if it's a state runned facility, chances are they'll pay for (at least in part) you to go to school for nursing & in return you sign a contract to work for them once you are a nurse for X amount of years, it's 2 in AZ I believe, may be different for you.

Like you I had a high interest in working with offenders, I was a probation officer (turned aspiring nursing student) & am married to a detention officer. Corrections & working with offenders can be a mental challenge, I suggest if you haven't already, research, try to set up a visit & tour at a correctional/detention facility if you haven't already, really talk to people who've done the job & get real world advice.

Starting CO pay is usually not comparable to starting pay for a nurse though (again depending on state you're in & type of facility you work). But, if you have a genuine interest in both, why not do both & let one be the stepping stone to the other? Good luck!

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Thank you all for your advice.

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Specializes in ICU.

COs make very little money, especially for the jobs they do. I'm going to say without getting into a whole lot the abuse these officers receive is horrendous. Horrendous.

The only issue I see for you is your grades. You have a C in A&P II, that's going to make it difficult for you to be a competitive candidate for nursing school. It really depends on what all your school looks for. Most students will have mostly As and a couple of Bs to get into a program. Nursing school is highly competitive.

I applaud your interest to work with offenders. It's a very difficult and thankless job. I think that anybody who can work that job day after day deserves high praise and some kind of special humanity award.

Good luck with your decision!!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I would rather live in a homeless shelter and eat out of trash cans than be a CO. But that's me. If you feel attracted to that job, I think you should start there, and then if you decide, become a nurse later.

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No.

You can make a very good recession proof living with great benefits as a CO. Well over 6 figures if you move up the ranks.

But you are in a jail. With inmates.

Don't think it doesn't take a toll. It does.

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Also, OP you should change your username if that is really your name. Don't put your real name out there.

Signed,

Lives with COs

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To be honest with you guys, I don't trust myself enough to take the CO route to than continue my nursing studies on the side. I've heard many stories like this of people starting one job with intentions to push them forward to the other and they find themselves getting comfortable with the first job. For me it's a matter deciding now. Don't get me wrong, I have thought about doing this, but it's like I said, I fear I would get comfortable.

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