Hello everyone! I would really appreciate any suggestions for my situation. First sorry for any typos/grammatical errors but I have very young kids and I am sleepy...I have several issues to decide on. I am transitioning into nursing as a second career bcse my previous career was not family friendly and I truly cannot imagine doing work that I am not excited about. I have graduate level education. So I want to pursue nursing to eventually become a pediatric or family nurse practioner in a primary care setting. That is specific, I really don't want to work in a hospital, unless it's an urgent care clinic or a hospital affiliated clinic. However, I really am more focused on preventative care which is why I would like the primary care setting.First, should I pursue a CNA or CMA. The CNA will allow me to get "bedside" experience and possibly tuition reimbursement from the hospital--if I am hired. It takes about 3 weeks of training and is about $700 or free if I"m one of the lucky chosen few from the nursing homes. The CMA (medical assistant) will allow me to work in a doctor's office and gain primary care skills. It takes 15 weeks for courses & clinicals and is $2500. Personally, I am leaning towards CMA bcse I want to enjoy going to work. I don't want to dread going to work. I think I can handle CNA duties as rough as they are, but probably won't be chipper going in everyday. (LPN is full-time 1 year so not an option, I want to start working and make sure this is the career path for me).Second, and the biggie is which way for school:Option 1: Local community college, 2 years, only $6,000 but it will be paid through a local grant. Begins Fall 2010, but am not sure if I will be accepted this year. They have a blind acceptance policy, strictly highest combination of scores, and since I don't have all the sciences yet (they are NOT pre-reqs, but they help boost your overall score) I'm not sure if I will get in. Based on their last class, I would have made it in probably by a hair, so I guess 50% chance of getting in this year. Otherwise, I could wait for the Fall 2011 class and would have the sciences under my belt by then. It's 1 day of classes, 2 days of clinicals, so very easy schedule for me, possibly can work part-time. Afterwards I would probably do an online FNP program (RN to MSN so I do NOT need a BSN)--about $16,000, but I need 1 year experience before applying.Option 2: Big name research university that I previously attended. They have a direct entry MSN program. 16 months for the BSN, 2 years for FNP. Expensive, but most likely (I'm pretty sure) all would be covered under a grant. If not, then I would pay about $15,000 for the BSN. THe MSN would be covered by local hospital for employment--they may consider it for the BSN too. I can do a pediatrics DNP completion with the university afterwards if I want. Problem: I would have to move my family to another state, hubby will have to get a job there. But we absolutely loved living there before and have close friends there, we'd go back in a flash. I would start Fall 2011. I have a very good chance of being accepted for that class. BSN is an accelerated program so it will be intense. I can start MSN coursework while working as aRN to gain experience before FNP clinicals.So what is your advice on both issues? ALso, what is the best job for me once I get the RN to prepare for primary care? What does a RN do in primary care--I only ever see NPs, LPNs, and CMAs there. I really appreciate any help, thanks Edited Nov 19, 2009 by lovin_life add info 0 Likes
