I'm someone with a BA in accounting and an MBA degree who wants to go back to school for nursing. I applied for an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program in my area for May 2009 and plan on taking my pre-requisite courses before May 2009. I currently work full-time as an industrial engineering specialist for UPS (UGH!).
I've been contemplating whether or not I should take the CNA course with the American Red Cross, get certified, quit my job, and work as a CNA while I'm in school to complete my pre-requisites. If I go through with this CNA deal, I will be making about $8 less an hour than I make now.
What do you think? Will being a CNA jump-start my nursing career? In other words, will the CNA experience help me get a job as an RN easier once I'm done with nursing school? Or should I stay at UPS until May 2009?
Just tossing this out there... maybe try another job before starting nursing school. There might some other job out there that you're already qualified for AND that would be more challenging and rewarding than what you are currently doing. As long as you've got another year or two til starting nursing school, why stay at a job that you dislike so much if you can find another?
i do't know about the BSN programs but here in NC most ASN programs require you to get your CNA before you start your core classes. I can't start them for a little over a year but am thinking about being an CNA at the hospital until then...i know its not glamorous or anything and i'd be taking a few $$ an hr paycut but it would also help me get in. i've been in real estate and banking for about 5 yrs and nobody wants to help b/c i have no experience! good luck!
I worked as a CNA part time whilst getting my LPN license. I was only working two 8 hour shifts a week in a LTC facility.
It taught me never to undervalue what CNA's do. To any CNA's reading - Thank you for what you do. You are probably do one of the most important and undervalued jobs on this earth.
Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
Just tossing this out there... maybe try another job before starting nursing school. There might some other job out there that you're already qualified for AND that would be more challenging and rewarding than what you are currently doing. As long as you've got another year or two til starting nursing school, why stay at a job that you dislike so much if you can find another?
The thing is I CAN'T FIND ANOTHER JOB! I haven't been able to find another job to even try. Yeah, surprising isn't it given that I have an MBA? It's like an MBA degree means nothing these days. I have interviewed for SOOO MANY jobs...accounting jobs and non-accounting jobs... and they just didn't want to hire me. All rejections. So I feel stuck with this lousy job, and that's why I want a career change. I really don't want to sit a desk anyway so I'm ready to move on from that corporate environment. Most of the jobs that I've applied for require several years of full-time experience within the industry. I don't have that. I've been in school. I'm only 23. How can I have 5-7 years of financial analyst experience, securities industry experience, consulting experience, project management experience, or public accounting experience? See, I went through a program where I could get my bachelors and masters in 4.5 years, in other words, the MBA program didn't require students to have work experience. But I can't even get any entry-level staff accounting jobs!!! I've done several internships and temp positions and I don't see why that doesn't help me land a job. The market for accounting here in Kentucky is VERY tight and they're not really hiring. You have to really fit in with the employer in order to get hired for an accounting job I guess. So nothing is going the way planned with the degrees I do have. It's sad. I can't just quit this job that I dislike so much and just hope for a new job... I have rent and bills to pay.
Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
i do't know about the BSN programs but here in NC most ASN programs require you to get your CNA before you start your core classes. I can't start them for a little over a year but am thinking about being an CNA at the hospital until then...i know its not glamorous or anything and i'd be taking a few $$ an hr paycut but it would also help me get in. i've been in real estate and banking for about 5 yrs and nobody wants to help b/c i have no experience! good luck!
Here in KY, it's not required to be a CNA before going into nursing school.
Well, I'm coming at this career from the other way. Associates Degree RN, then BSN, and now finally an MBA (just finished last class a couple weeks ago).
I have been in the health care industry for about 16 - 17 years now and an RN for 13 years. I would strongly recommend working as a CNA or nurse aid before investing in this as a career option. The RN regardless if you are ADN or BSN prepared are expected to participate in CNA duties plus perform the duties in their scope of practice. (what their licensed to do). If you can do that and don't mind doing it - then I say go for it.
Sincerely,
Ginger
Okay, how much of a demand is out there for an MBA prepared RN? - I thought it depends on how much management one has under their belt first. At least, that is what I am experiencing in this area.
Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
Dear Aspiring,
Well, I'm coming at this career from the other way. Associates Degree RN, then BSN, and now finally an MBA (just finished last class a couple weeks ago).
I have been in the health care industry for about 16 - 17 years now and an RN for 13 years. I would strongly recommend working as a CNA or nurse aid before investing in this as a career option. The RN regardless if you are ADN or BSN prepared are expected to participate in CNA duties plus perform the duties in their scope of practice. (what their licensed to do). If you can do that and don't mind doing it - then I say go for it.
Sincerely,
Ginger
Okay, how much of a demand is out there for an MBA prepared RN? - I thought it depends on how much management one has under their belt first. At least, that is what I am experiencing in this area.
Interesting, but I don't mind doing all the "dirty work" that CNA's or RN's have to do... that's what nurses are there for...to work, to help, to be there for people. I just want to get away from sitting in a cubicle in front of a computer all day. It makes me feel lazy and I don't like being lazy. I like being active and constantly challenged.
And I'm not sure how much of a demand there is for RN's with MBA degrees. As for me, I am someone with an MBA degree with no management experience.
The reason why I did this 4.5 year accounting MBA program is because this program would allow me to get 150 credit hours to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. I was on the public accounting career track but after graduating, I was unable to land a public accounting job. So now I'm stuck at UPS. I've interview for other non-public accounting jobs and other jobs and have not been able to get any. I think it's the Lord telling me that accounting really isn't for me. I feel like nursing will be much more rewarding for me.
Have you thought about volunteering at all??? Maybe if you tried that while still keeping your current job you would have that fullfillment you are looking for?? I have been volunteering for about a year and a half now and it's been a great experience for me. Even though there are a lot of things I'm not able to do, I do see and hear A LOT, and I've learned a great deal just from observing how things work.
I also get to choose my hours, take time off without having to find a replacement, work in the area of my choice, and basically do things on my own as I like to do them.
I'm currently in a CNA class (it's required to apply to NS). I'm not trying to belittle anyone here, but as hard as CNA's work (and I KNOW they work their buns off), the work isn't that "mentally" challenging. With your advanced degree and your qualifications, you may find yourself a bit bored with the tasks that you are required to do.
AN $8.00/hr paycut is quite a lot... and you really don't need the CNA experience to become a nurse... you may just want to hang on as long as you can and quit your job when you start nursing school.
Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
Have you thought about volunteering at all??? Maybe if you tried that while still keeping your current job you would have that fullfillment you are looking for?? I have been volunteering for about a year and a half now and it's been a great experience for me. Even though there are a lot of things I'm not able to do, I do see and hear A LOT, and I've learned a great deal just from observing how things work.
I also get to choose my hours, take time off without having to find a replacement, work in the area of my choice, and basically do things on my own as I like to do them.
I'm currently in a CNA class (it's required to apply to NS). I'm not trying to belittle anyone here, but as hard as CNA's work (and I KNOW they work their buns off), the work isn't that "mentally" challenging. With your advanced degree and your qualifications, you may find yourself a bit bored with the tasks that you are required to do.
AN $8.00/hr paycut is quite a lot... and you really don't need the CNA experience to become a nurse... you may just want to hang on as long as you can and quit your job when you start nursing school.
I am thinking about shadowing my sister a few times to see what it's like.
As far as a job being mentally challenging, I don't think any job is ever really mentally challenging. I just want to get away from working in a freaking cubicle!
To the OP - keep on keeping on. It sounds like your educational program promised more than it could deliver. It's a real problem in general, trying to get both the education AND experience necessary to have more choices.
This is true in nursing as well. The flexibility that nursing is known for usually depends upon the nurse having at least a few years of acute care experience. You hate your cubicle and don't want to spend several years there while racking up work experience and trying to move to a more appealing job. I finished nursing school and ended up hating acute care and don't want to spend several years there while racking up work experience and trying to move to a more appealing job. Nursing promised me so many options but without that experience, I don't have as many options. Besides, the bulk of nursing opportunities ARE in acute care. Neuro, cardiac, ortho... yes, they're different but they are all acute care nursing. No matter what the field, it usually takes several years of not seeming to get anywhere before one's educational promises might begin to pay off. So it helps if you don't mind the grunt work!
I've discovered I don't mind sitting in a cubicle all day - though I do still want stimulating, meaningful work. You seem to be aware that even as a nurse your work at times will be, well, work - the same things over and over without much thanks. The difference with most nursing jobs is that if you aren't careful, your mistakes result in more than economic losses. You're definitely not sitting all day though!!!
I'm just tossing thoughts around, thoughts that your comments triggered. It sounds like nursing might be a better fit for you and accounting a better fit for me! Too bad we can't exchange!
I haven't been able to find another job to even try. Yeah, surprising isn't it given that I have an MBA? It's like an MBA degree means nothing these days. I have interviewed for SOOO MANY jobs...accounting jobs and non-accounting jobs... and they just didn't want to hire me. All rejections. 
jjjoy, LPN
2,801 Posts
Just tossing this out there... maybe try another job before starting nursing school. There might some other job out there that you're already qualified for AND that would be more challenging and rewarding than what you are currently doing. As long as you've got another year or two til starting nursing school, why stay at a job that you dislike so much if you can find another?