Need some help

You can find the answers to your questions in numerous threads by using the "search" function.

I think you need to do a little research first. And no, it's not rare to see a male nurse.

Agree strongly with Catlady........as for nurses who are men, sometimes I'm outnumbered at work and am the only female on.

There are many great forums on here which will answer some of your questions. You may want to click on "Forums" and you'll get a drop down menu of "Nursing Specialty Forums." If you look around, you may see something that you like.

There is no difference in associate's vs. BSN programs. The pay is still the same however more states are requiring a BSN as an entry level. If you ask in a general discussion forum, you'll likely disturb a hornet's nest so you may want to do some research on your own.

You mentioned nurse anesthetist, which is called Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or CRNA. You need at least 1 year of ICU experience along with a Master's degree to practice as a CRNA.

Welcome to Allnurses, there's a wealth of information in the forums here.

Hey, don't know what state you're in, so I'll have to say definitely check with your potential schools and Board of Nursing to get more accurate details than what we'll say. It varies, sometimes greatly, from state to state. I'm in Mississippi, so I'll tell you what I know from here. This is my opinion only, so don't take it as for sure. The difference between an associate and a bachelors degree in nursing is not much, at least the end result of your title of a nurse isn't (People please don't flame me for this). This is a highly debated (and heatedly) topic. Do a search on this website about it, you'll find more than enough opinions. However, the end result of your degree, in MS, is not very different. You're an RN either way. You take the exact same NCLEX test to become an RN whether you have either degree. There is only a 40 cents per hour increase if you have the Bach degree. What the Bach degree does for you, though, is offer more opportunities for administration positions. If right now, you want to be an RN and aren't currently seeking an advanced practice job or a position in administration, then I'd say go for the Assoc first. This is, of course, advice given without knowledge of what your school programs are like. In some regions, you're in school almost four years anyway for the Assoc degree because they tack on a lot of academic courses that have to be taken prior to the actual nursing courses. If that is the case, then I'd say go ahead for the Bach degree, because you'll be in school that long anyway, and it will be easier for you later on if you decide to get a more advanced degree. Only my opinion, though.

As for how much or when you work, it's so wide and varied I hardly know where to start. For the most part, in south MS, we have 8 and 12 hour shifts. So, you either work five days per week, or three, to be full-time.

I can't answer about which specialty to go into, though, as I'm still a student, so I don't have any knowledge in that area.

Hope this helps you out some, though. And I'm sorry if I caused any offense to anyone with my opinion.

I agree with prvious posters, that you need to look around in the forums and also contact the schools you are interested in.

As for the difference in associates and bachelors, there isn't really much difference. By the time you count all pre-requisite course work they take about the same amount of time (at least where I am), the starting pay is the same, you work the same hours, ect... The difference is that BSN prepared nurses have more opportunity to go into management. There are higher degrees in nursing than a BSN. There is also a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), and you could get your PhD in nursing. Many advanced practice nusing options out there. You have aparently already considered a CRNA program as an option. Some Masters degree programs offer transition form ADN to MSN. General consensus among my group of nursing friends is that it is easier to have a BSN before making the Transition to MSN or higher, although it is not impossible to make the transition from ADN.

Hope this information is helpful. Also hope I didn't stir up the hornets.