New, learning, and need direction...

[h_76]

Hi there! I'm new to the forum, and just wanted to introduce myself, and also ask some generalized questions, and get some personal feedback on things. I am a 20 yr old Nova student and will be getting my Associates Degree of Nursing this fall. I made the decision to go into Nursing after years of wanting to just help people in whatever way I could, (I realllly want to go into phys. therapy and rehab, but wanted to get my RN so I could support myself thru PT school, and gain experience along the way-sound okay? I will be entering the nursing program at my school in May of '09, and after that will be moving to NY with my boyfriend (he has to get his CFA) for up to 3 years before moving back to the Nova area. Am I missing a step or anything in this basic plan?), wanting to make a good income (as everyone I'm sure does haha), wanting a job that enables me to move up and go different directions in the field, and also one that I could potentially travel overseas with. I'm new to all of this and I'm just stressed out with not exactly knowing where I'm going, but being told I'm on the right path. How did you choose to go to school? I cant afford med school, as much as I'd like to. How did you find the nursing program, and what did you do afterwards? Did you do what I'm hoping to do, and switch into a more specialized field after obtaining your RN, or were you happy where you were? I'm lacking answers, and I think I'm just stressing and frustrating myself by not knowing exactly where to go. Any kind of input or opinion would be greatly appreciated. :)

thank you thank you thank you!!

[RhodyGirl, RN]

If you really want to go into PT, why bother with nursing? There are so many people who want to make nursing their lifetime career. I think taking a spot in a program when your ultimate goal is to ditch nursing and become a PT is silly. Maybe do a PTA associate degree program? This would gain you valuable experience and still allow you to support yourself through a PT program.

[jjjoy, LPN]

Forgive my ignorance but what is a "Nova" student? Thanks in advance.

[shelly304]

I took it to mean Nove Scotia????

:wlcmblks::wlcmggrp::[anb]:

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I'm having trouble following your post. First you say that you will be getting your ADN this fall, then you state that you'll be entering nursing school in May of 2009.

If what you really want to do is physical therapy ... I looked at a couple of schools in my area and found undergraduate degrees in rehabilitative science and similar majors ... something like that would probably be of more use to you as your undergrad preparation for graduate studies in PT.

You also mention some relocating over the next few years. Any undergrad degree with a clinical component will require you to stay in one location for the duration of the program. Even for non-clinical majors, it can be difficult and time & money-consuming to switch schools midstream. Perhaps you should carefully reconsider where you will spend the next 3-5 years and apply to schools in that location.

Good luck to you.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I personally feel that if you want to be a PT....then do PT school....if you want to be a RN, do RN school....Why take up space in a highly competitive program, if that is not your ultimate goal? I feel that is part of what contributes to the nursing shortage....other field workers only getting their RN to fall back on, then they don't use it.....there are many people who would like to get that ADN....