2nd degree in nursing WAS IT WORTH IT? GIRL LOST!

caliotter3 · Jul 28, 2010

Neither nursing nor teaching are great for jobs nowadays. I would go with the one that strikes your interest enough to give you incentive to seek a career no matter what the obstacles in front of you.

whodatnurse · Jul 28, 2010

If you ever find a career of the 21st century that equals guaranteed job....please do come back and let the rest of US know!!!

I'm afraid there's risk involved with just about any career path you start down nowadays. Go with your own intuition, then network like crazy and talk, talk, talk to those working in your chosen field. You can take actions to maximize your chances of success...however nothing is a sure thing anymore.

Good luck!

sandyfeet · Jul 28, 2010

Have you ever been a TA? Volunteered in a hospital? I think your decision should be based on more than just money. What if you decided to become a professor and hate it? Or what if you hate the grunt work of a nurse? I am going for my second degree in Nursing, and I also happened to be a TA for one class during my first degree--and I hated it. I was surprised at how long it took to correct papers and I was frustrated with the students that felt they could do whatever they wanted since they were paying for their education. On the flip side, I volunteered in a hospital and loved it. I couldn't do a job that my heart was not into--I know you said you don't know what your passion is, but maybe it would help to view both jobs for what they really are. Do you want to have the freedom of planning a course and running a classroom? Do you want the cameraderie of working as a team (saying that you would work in a hospital)? Do you like dressing professionally (suit), or do you like not having to worry about what you wear every day (uniform)? I'm trying to think of all of the differences so that you can compare and make an educated decision.

coast2coast · Jul 28, 2010

Honestly, teaching is not an easier or more profitable alternative to nursing.

If you want to teach "college" (community college or 4-year university), you probably need a PhD. You might get hired at a CC with just a master's, but it's a terrible job. Adjuncting is not rewarding and definitely not profitable.

To work at a 4-year university, you need a PhD, tons of published research papers, and to be a prodigy in your field (especially in the liberal arts). And even then, you won't make very good money or have job security for a very long time.

If money is your primary concern (there's nothing wrong with that), you need a third option.

caliotter3 · Jul 28, 2010

Honestly, teaching is not an easier or more profitable alternative to nursing.
If you want to teach "college" (community college or 4-year university), you probably need a PhD. You might get hired at a CC with just a master's, but it's a terrible job. Adjuncting is not rewarding and definitely not profitable.
To work at a 4-year university, you need a PhD, tons of published research papers, and to be a prodigy in your field (especially in the liberal arts). And even then, you won't make very good money or have job security for a very long time.
If money is your primary concern (there's nothing wrong with that), you need a third option.

This post has a lot of wisdom concerning teaching as a profession.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

Honestly, teaching is not an easier or more profitable alternative to nursing.
If you want to teach "college" (community college or 4-year university), you probably need a PhD. You might get hired at a CC with just a master's, but it's a terrible job. Adjuncting is not rewarding and definitely not profitable.
To work at a 4-year university, you need a PhD, tons of published research papers, and to be a prodigy in your field (especially in the liberal arts). And even then, you won't make very good money or have job security for a very long time.
If money is your primary concern (there's nothing wrong with that), you need a third option.

So true. You see, there are many many PhDs especially sciences who, formerly in biotech or the like are flooding the CC's in my area because their jobs are always on the chopping block. Might actually be tough to get a job at a CC teaching these days because the economy has long since filled and made many teaching jobs very competitive to get. I'd say this change in my area is about 5 years gone.

Fribblet · Jul 28, 2010

Speaking as a second degree nurse: was it worth it?

Meh.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

Off topic...

I need to ask as it's been bothering me. What the heck is a Fribblet?

esunada · Jul 28, 2010

My understanding is that your passion is teaching so why are you even considering nursing? Nursing school is expensive, time consuming and jobs aren't exactly there right now. If you are looking to be a college teacher you can make decent money but you need to get accepted to a decent school. A masters in anthropology won't get you anywhere. A PhD is much better and if you get a TA job, it pays for most of your schooling. Talk to the Anthropology depts. at these grad schools to learn more. However it can take you 4-5 years to finish a PhD and it too is very competitive.

If you are worried about money, why do you need to go back to school. Isn't it possible to find a decent job with a Bachelors. I was an Anthropology major and have worked in social services, corporate business - the skys the limit. I was making close to what you are looking for and I'm only in my 20s I would have certainly gotten more raises. I decided to go to into nursing as I found it was something I really wanted to do. You shouldn't go into nursing for the money, because you would save yourself a lot of money finding a job right now with your Bachelors.

mazy · Jul 28, 2010

I started to respond to the post and then changed my mind, then read your other post, and then changed my mind again.

First of all, there is nothing at all wrong with thinking about money. Of course you want to earn good money, everyone does!

But you sound a little confused and stressed out about what you want, like you feel as if you are under a lot of pressure to make a decision this instant.

Why are your only options to get a Master's in anthropology or a degree in nursing? Those are two very disparate areas of study.

You can't teach college with a Master's, you can teach elementary or high school or community college, but I don't see anthropology as being something marketable at that level. Also, the pay kind of sucks. Have you considered another subject besides anthropology? Something that, if the teaching doesn't work out, you can apply it to another job?

There is no way to know what the future holds for nursing, they say a lot of jobs will open up in the next five years, but I'd be curious to see how the health care reform is going to shape the profession.

Nursing is my second career, and I do have a master's in another field, after many years I exhausted my interest in that field and went on to get my LPN. I am very happy with that decision and hope to go on to get my RN someday. Hopefully before I become too ancient and addlepated. But I do feel very passionate about my career as a nurse, something that I never felt in my former life. I guess the point for me is that you can find your passion at any time in your life if you stop pressuring yourself to solve things immediately.

I feel bad for people coming out of school into this market, it sucks. Many years ago when I graduated from college we were also in the middle of a recession and I just packed my bags and moved overseas and got a job as an English teacher until it was over. Paid off my student loans in the meantime and had a great learning experience.

I know you are concerned about your loans, but if they are federal loans they will work with you if you don't have a job, you can get a forbearance or deferment for at least a year. So, deep breath, deep breath......

Fribblet · Jul 28, 2010

Off topic...
I need to ask as it's been bothering me. What the heck is a Fribblet?

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

:smokin: