MPH and (RN? or BSN? or LPN?)

NurseAngie · Aug 1, 2002

originally posted by candygrl
hello, i'm new and i need a lot of advice. i'm not a nurse, but i'm thinking about pursuing tis field to do clinical research. i currently have a bs in health science and a mph in epidemiology. i feel like i need something clinical to do what i want in my career. however, i don't know what avenue of nursing i should pursue, should i just get an associates, a bsn or what. i just need the clinical. i really don't have a great understanding of the process of becoming a nurse, but i'm hoping to get into a program and finish it quickly. i have a lot of knowledge as far as medical terminology and i've taken a lot of science classes. i think i should be able to jump into any program and do pretty well.

any advice would be very helpful. thanks!

hi there, maybe you can get some information about the masters for people with non-nursing degrees. there is a book called peterson's guide to nursing programs and most public libraries have a copy so you won't have to buy one. it has information about many programs available (not all though ....i noticed lmu isn't in there). you also might contact a local university for info. you sound like a perfect candidate for a msn program in about the same time an adn might take. i wish you the best of luck!

~angie

RN-MHA · Aug 2, 2002

Hi, Candygirl

I was in the same situation that you are in last year. I have a BS in biology and a master in Health Services Admin, and after working a few years, I felt like I needed a clinical license to do my job better.

Since the state where I live does not offer accelerated RN program for people with a bachelor in a field other than nursing, and that I did not want to go back to school for a BSN, when I already have a bachelor in sciences, I chose to enroll in an ASN program. I am halfway through the 4 semester program. Because I had fulfilled all my prereqs (with my bachelor), I can go to nursing school part-time (since I only have to take the nursing courses), and work full time.

My advise to you is to look for an accelerated BSN program, which should take you 12 months of FT studies. That way, you will have a RN license, and a BSN. With your master, you will be way ahead.

But if it is too intensive, or too expensive, apply to an ASN/ADN program. In any case, you have a bachelor in sciences, which can fullfill the BSN requerement that some employers have for managerial position.

Hope this help. If you have more questions, you can PM anytime.

ResearchRN · Aug 2, 2002

I'm curious as to what it is you want to do in your career.

candygrl · Aug 2, 2002

Thank you all for your responses, so far very informative. As for what I want to do, I'm still soul searching. I know that I want to do research, I know that I love health science and I know I want to combine the two. So I would picture myself probably working in a setting where patients are involved and research and evaluation are important. Maybe cancer research doing clinical trials.

I hope this makes sense, I thought about getting a Ph. D in epidemiology, but I think it might make more sense to go this route.

troop949 · Aug 1, 2011

Hi all,

This is an old thread, but I wanted to bump it for more advice.

I'm in a very similar situation as the OP - have an MPH in epidemiology (concentration: infectious diseases), and a BS in microbiology. I love public health, but I am seriously contemplating a career change into the wonderful world of nursing. But, I'm not exactly sure which degree would be a better "fit" for me. Since I already have a health sciences-related BS and master's, would a BSN or MSN be redundant? I'm married with 2 young kiddos, so my time is precious - I think an intensive accelerated BSN or MSN program would be too hard on my family at this point. Would an ADN be enough for me to become an RN, and would an RN make me a viable job candidate?

Any advice and wisdom is welcome. Oh, I should also mention that I have an interest in the following specialties: OB, orthopedic, perioperative, infectious diseases (obviously!).

Thanks!