My Career Goals + RN Education Choices = Confusion!

[MedicareWhiz]

Hi everyone! I'm new here - looks like a great forum!

I have a 4 year degree in Psychology and work as a Health Insurance Counselor for seniors and people with disabilities. I want to go back to school to get my Bachelor's in Nursing so that I can use an RN certification to work in the Public Health Nursing or Administrative Nursing Fields (in nursing homes, ect). I am very confused about how this would work. Would I have to work as a nurse doing hands-on medical things in order to later do what I am most geared towards in my job experience? A lot of the step-up jobs I'm finding are looking for someone with my experience, but require an RN license. Can I just get the license and use it only as a credential for other types of work other than hands-on "traditional" nursing? I could explain the purpose of my question with this analogy: You can't just get a degree in criminal justice and expect to become a detective. You have to be a beat cop first.

Thanks for any information you can provide!!!

MedicareWhiz

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

That's a very good question. With a BSN you probably might be able to get into the public health system as a new grad, as an entry level position and work your way up to your goals.

Usually Nursing Administration requires some experience in management. It's rare for someone to get their RN and go straight into administration, even with prior administration experience in other industries. So it is true, not 100% of the time, that it's hard to be an upper level nurse without a bit of time in the trenches. Getting the BSN though is going to be a fast track to some of those positions you desire.

Also, as in everything, being at the right place at the right time helps. Also, sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.

So there are variables.

Good luck!