Nursing was not my major

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 18, 2015

It's OK! Lots of top-notch nurses made their career decision based on economic realities rather than altruism. This doesn't make them any 'less nursey' than our colleagues who have a "calling". I actually think this is a beneficial evolution for our profession - less likely to be taken advantage of by our (very bottom-line oriented) healthcare administrators.

Following this same line of reasoning, I can assure you that no employer will ever pay more than they have to to fill a job. The reason that acute care nursing jobs have higher salaries is because they are more difficult than nurse jobs in other settings - and the organization has to pay that much simply to attract qualified candidates. In a hospital, those non-bedside jobs require higher-level qualifications & significant levels of expertise. As you've already discovered, acute care nursing is rapidly evolving into 'BSN minimum'. I do suggest that you obtain your BSN in order to make sure that you have more career opportunities in the future.

There are so many other types of settings than acute care. If you're interested in ambulatory nursing, you may want to explore clinic settings. Have you thought about Home Care?

plastic100% · Jun 18, 2015

It's OK! Lots of top-notch nurses made their career decision based on economic realities rather than altruism. This doesn't make them any 'less nursey' than our colleagues who have a "calling". I actually think this is a beneficial evolution for our profession - less likely to be taken advantage of by our (very bottom-line oriented) healthcare administrators.
Following this same line of reasoning, I can assure you that no employer will ever pay more than they have to to fill a job. The reason that acute care nursing jobs have higher salaries is because they are more difficult than nurse jobs in other settings - and the organization has to pay that much simply to attract qualified candidates. In a hospital, those non-bedside jobs require higher-level qualifications & significant levels of expertise. As you've already discovered, acute care nursing is rapidly evolving into 'BSN minimum'. I do suggest that you obtain your BSN in order to make sure that you have more career opportunities in the future.
There are so many other types of settings than acute care. If you're interested in ambulatory nursing, you may want to explore clinic settings. Have you thought about Home Care?

I am actually doing peds home health, I want to have hospital experience but not work for long just to have a plus in my resume, yes I have been thinking of clinic setting, but do you think I will be able to use my skills? Thank you for responding

plastic100% · Jun 19, 2015

Hey guys really need some suggestions.... Thank you

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 19, 2015

You can work in a clinic without hospital experience, at least in my area; you can also do occupational health at a local factory or other places in your area; you are going to need to look into out of the box places for employment.

plastic100% · Jun 19, 2015

You can work in a clinic without hospital experience, at least in my area; you can also do occupational health at a local factory or other places in your area; you are going to need to look into out of the box places for employment.

Thank you.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2015

If you have LTC experience, why not do MDS or some sort of caseworker type job? I have RN friends from school who went straight into LTC and are now MDS nurses or ADONs without ever stepping foot in a hospital.

plastic100% · Jun 21, 2015

If you have LTC experience, why not do MDS or some sort of caseworker type job? I have RN friends from school who went straight into LTC and are now MDS nurses or ADONs without ever stepping foot in a hospital.

thank you I know I have want to work in a hospital to market myself but that is a good idea casework or ADON. Thanks