kind of a unique situation, urgent help needed!

[jayandaroo88]

Hi everyone,

I've lurked these forums for some years now but this is my first post here. I'm a recent male college grad with a degree in Sociology. Originally I was supposed to be a nursing major at my college, but decided last minute to be a liberal arts major to explore other options. I don't regret my decision but now as a fresh graduate, I am considering nursing again.

Let me start off by saying that nursing is NOT my passion. It is a means to an end. My passion lies in dancing, and it is something I would like to pursue for as long as I can. I saw nursing as a way to maintain financial stability and then have opportunity for career growth if I wanted. I chose it over other careers since I've also always wanted to work in healthcare, counseling, or non-profit kind of work (I like to help people!) -- but nursing above all those for the opportunities and stability it provides. But again, my passion is in dance.

I'm currently struggling to decide what move to make next. My original plan was to get CNA certified over the summer (not happening) and work as a CNA while I finish my nursing pre-reqs and then apply to nursing school to get my BSN or at least an RN. I am realizing now that a lot of the surrounding schools near my home that I planned on attending take an extemely small number of transfers (risky for me because my GPA is only about a 3.45), are doing away with allowing transfers to skip the first couple years (ie, I'd have to do 4 years all over again), or basically required you to start as a "freshman" because clinicals already begin in the first year. This essentially equates to TIME and MONEY.

What scares me is that nursing is not my passion. Don't get me wrong, I would love to work in a healthcare setting (ideally), and I am attracted to several aspects of nursing beyond its financial stability and career opportunities, but it is difficult for a still young, jobless person like me to make such a strong commitment to something I'm not completely sure of. Plus, I'm also aware that the job market for nurses is terrible right now, and to my knowledge, I don't know if there are any indicators of the market bouncing back anytime soon.

I want to make a smart decision. I recently discovered getting an LPN as an option. There is a relatively cheap LPN program in my area, which is Camden County College (I live in Camden County, so I am near Philadelphia and have those options available too). I see the LPN as a safer option, so I can make a cheaper time/money investment, be able to work sooner as a nurse, and if I really wanted to, could pursue my studies. However, for now, I would be very comfortable with a more modest lifestyle, I really just want enough to be able to support my dancing career for now.

I know this sounds silly, but I'm also more attracted to the LPN if it means less work and job responsibilities (possibly less hours???). Is that true? I prefer a less strenuous job (not just physically but mentally) for the sole fact that dancing is very physical and draining, and I would prefer not to be drained out all the time. I know it sounds crazy because nursing can be a very tiring career, but I really don't know of many other options I have. Again, it's not that I don't want to be a nurse, it's just that my priority is dancing.

I read that LPN nurses are getting phased out in hospitals, though. Which is ok with me because I am not specifically trying to work at a hospital. I heard that LTC facilities can be very rough, however. I'm open to work in other areas, a private medical office would be particularly nice. I'm somewhat scared, however, when I read how LPN nurses are getting phased out, and I wonder if getting the LPN is a good idea.

Sometimes I wonder if nursing is perhaps not for me. I still have a year before I can apply to my LPN program. I was considering taking a few pre-reqs until then (starting this summer, which is why this post is urgent because summer registration ends in a couple days), while working somewhere. I figured perhaps it would be a good idea to take this year to also explore other options, perhaps I will find a less strenuous career that provides the living and stability I am looking for. 40k with benefits and I am happy :)

Really, I am sorry this post was long and all over the place, but as a new grad I'm feeling a bit frustrated and scared at the same time. I would appreciate ANY advice. Whether I should go for the RN, for the LPN, or perhaps consider a different career altogether. Social work?! Counseling?! Non-profit?! Haha. I don't know

Thank you so much for reading! I sincerely appreciate it.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You sound like a very interesting person. It's great to discover your passion at such a young age.

I really would urge you to investigate Physical Therapy as a career... or better yet - Dance Therapy. Here's a link to schools that have this degree program http://www.uscollegesearch.org/dance-therapy-colleges.html This is a hybrid career combining health care and dance - it would enable you to work in something you love but far more stable (work-wise) than performing.

Frankly, there are waaaay too many nurses who don't really want to be there - they're just marking time waiting for their real lives to begin - LOL. I would hate to see you added to that group.

The healthcare experts I trust are telling me that any economic recovery is going to be tempered by the effects of Health Care Reform. Hospitals are in for a very rough time over the next 5 years - which means that jobs are not going to come bouncing back any time soon.

Best of Luck to you - whichever path you choose.