Nursing as a first degree

RN58186 · Jul 27, 2011

Did a Theology degree first. But nursing is my true love...

nola1202 · Jul 27, 2011

I don't agree with the advice "don't bother with Nursing unless it's your first choice." "or you're not really sure." How do you really know you'll like or hate anything? Certainly I'm not the only one who has learned that the educational component was far, far from the reality of how Nursing, and is practiced. (sadly)

I think being stuck on a waiting list is depressing, why not do something while you wait? Ask a Medical student, did they get accepted the first time they applied to Med school? Most will tell you no, and some ended up Psychologists, Social Workers, and then continued on to med school. I've met quite a few engineers who ended up MD's. So do what feels right to you and don't be guilted into feeling you must be 100% devoted to persue Nursing.

Bridgettea83 · Jul 27, 2011

Hello,

I understand where you are coming from, I dont think that you are second guessing your choice, but instead just dont want to waste valuable time. I was in your same situation, after applying to nursing school in not getting in, I went on to get my BS in Health Service Managment, after that I started on my Master in Public Health, which I will graduate in Jan 2012. This year I applied to nursing school and I will start this Fall. If you dont get in the progam right away, I think it is a good ideal to get a degree that will compliment your nursing degree. I say go for it!!Good Luck!!! :yeah:

Fumanchuesday · Jul 27, 2011

I finished a BS Healthcare Management program in December... I start my accelerated RN next month.

Chivea · Jul 27, 2011

I'm a fresh graduate from nursing school having the same problem but recently I've realized that I can't shy away from having higher degrees in nursing.

Chivea · Jul 27, 2011

Pls can someone help me out, I'm preparing for CGFNS qualifying exam and I need a discussion group.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 27, 2011

How much money is the other degree going to cost you? While having a 2nd option is a good thing ... it's silly to dig yourself into a deep hole of debt.

Figure out what your "first choice" of a career is ... and then, if that doesn't work out, work on option #2. Don't pay big bucks for a million options until you given option #1 a chance.

citylights89, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

How much money is the other degree going to cost you? While having a 2nd option is a good thing ... it's silly to dig yourself into a deep hole of debt.
Figure out what your "first choice" of a career is ... and then, if that doesn't work out, work on option #2. Don't pay big bucks for a million options until you given option #1 a chance.

that's what I was thinking. How much is all of this going to cost? IMO, I think it's best to figure out what you definately want to do so you won't waste time and money studying something that you're not going to use. Degrees are way too expensive these days to just do something all willy-nilly.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

i went from high school to college for nursing; seven years later i went to graduate school, in nursing. i haven't regretted any of it. i have always kept learning and i have always had plenty of options open to me.

so many people think nursing in hospitals, clinics, or snfs is pretty much the only thing open to them, or think that nursing school will only prepare (or is only preparing) them for that. while that is where the meat and potatoes are, and you need to fill up on them as a starter, there are many nourishing and tasty things you can try once you know who and what you can tolerate as to novelty, unfamiliarity, risk, and adventure. why waste time? just do it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

If you knew that you wanted to be a nurse may I ask why you went for another degree? Was it for the same reasons as myself?

For me, I thought I was nearly finished with my first degree when I knew I wanted to go in to nursing. It turns out I wasn't, but I decided at that point it was important to finish what I'd started. I'm not sure that was the right decision, but I think with my first degree's GPA, it would have been hard to get in to nursing school. I took 2 years off to work, then started prerequisites and did much better grade-wise. So it did all work out in the end and maybe if I'd tried to switch majors then I'd have done poorly in the prerequisite classes.

It sounds like you know you want to do nursing now but want the fall back in case, rather than you want to do something else and have nursing as a fall back- correct? In that case, I'd go get your nursing degree now and take classes in another field while working. You can take classes toward your other field while doing prerequisites (many basics might transfer, like English 101 and core classes) and if you have a wait to get in to a program.

puppies1123 · Jul 27, 2011

Yeah i understand what you are all saying. I wouldnt really consider it waisting time since im very young. Im only 21 and i have heard most nursing students are at least in their 30's now.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

Puppies, you are smart to consider this. I would not do nursing first in this economy (which I think really might last for several more years, and then you have all the healthcare cutbacks). Just don't point and throw a dart though, make a good choice of what ever other degree you might go for other than nursing. Always keep in mind that nursing edu gets you only nursing employment on the whole, and that is very iffy these days. It does not receive much credit in the business world. So, think about unemployment and what jobs you can be eligible to interview for with just a nursing degree? Nursing suffers from the "handmaiden" syndrome and always will.