So after scouring the internet and as much of AN forums as I possibly could, to no avail, I've come to you all with a question.
I currently have my BS in Biology and work in an andrology lab at a major reproductive medicine. I've been considering two routes. One is to pursue a Masters in Science concentrating on genomics or neuroscience, and going on to do research in industry. Two is to matriculate into one of the ABSN programs I was accepted to and be an RN in an ICU (ideally).
I enjoy them both for very very different reasons, and these reasons admittedly may appear to be naive and ignorant to some, so do not hesitate to correct me.
The research provides the deep intellectual stimulation that I seek, answering the "why" I so often ask myself in my head. Genetics and neurology have been passions of my since undergrad. The downside is often times the day to day tasks in research are extremely mundane, and this raises a quality of life issue in my book.
The RN side has the awesome patient care everyone is aware of, and I am extremely excited about this. On top of that, the extensive knowledge of the human body and its intricasies can only help one become more competent and efficient at providing quality care as well.
So I pose this question to you all. Are there any fields in nursing that eventually bring you deeper into the science of a certain field? Requiring you know the pathophysiology of certain diseases, etc. etc.? I know research nursing requires you to know the protocol, and the study in its entirety, but I mean delve really deeper into the science and literature.
Thanks for your time, and looking forward to hearing any insights you may have to offer!
P.S. Look for a BSN program w/ a good scientific background. I don't know if you're in the US or what part of the US if you are, but I would highly recommend Radford University in VA. That is where I went to school & we were required to know a vast amount of scientific background for EVERYTHING. I LOVED it! Yes, it was harder than many other nursing schools but I truly believe it made me a better nurse. Good luck!
I may be a bit skeptical in general from my few years of bedside experience, but from your interests OP, it does not sound like nursing is the best fit for you. For the amount we are required to know to do our job, we don't have a lot of scientific application on a normal day. Have you considered looking into clinical research? Or medical technology?
again, i must respectfully disagree. perhaps your nursing doesn't demand that much science application or stretch your brain too hard. perhaps many nursing jobs don't do that.
mine does. op, you bet you can have a very satisfying scientific career with a nursing background. you can make it what you want. the sky's the limit.
again, i must respectfully disagree. perhaps your nursing doesn't demand that much science application or stretch your brain too hard. perhaps many nursing jobs don't do that.
mine does. op, you bet you can have a very satisfying scientific career with a nursing background. you can make it what you want. the sky's the limit.
what kind of nursing job do you have? i'd love to use more science!
MSL Nurse, medical science nurse liaison, for biotech/pharma. RN background is a wonderful start.....look into it on Indeed.com, you sound like a PERFECT fit :)
Wow! I would first like to take a moment to thank all of you for your wonderful contributions, and it makes me feel great that there are others in here who are able to benefit from the questions as well. I thought about quoting everyone individually, but since every post offers such quality insights, it may be more effective to just post a more general response.
A few things come to mind. One, I agree that bedside nursing will most likely be short lived chapter to my career, and this is not to downplay the importance, but simply just acknowledging how I personally function and what motivates me. One of my biggest fears in life is undermining my own intellectual capacity to contribute and do something great. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Watson and Crick or Einstein, and I'd argue I'm just above average, with way above average work ethics and passion.
The point that still leads me to believe that nursing will be a solid investment and fruitful venture, is the amount of opportunities it opens. Just in this thread alone I've discovered the genetic research unit and medical science liason options which I had never heard of, and quite frankly think I would thoroughly enjoy!
On top of that, I didn't want to mention the CRNA route, mainly because it seems to be very trendy as of late, and didnt want to fall into the category of one of the oblivious posters drooling over the salary and ignoring the ridiculous course workload and demands of the programs. The fact of the matter is though, CRNA is probably my dream job when it comes to taking my nursing career to the very limits, simply because it does seem to be so elegantly tied in to the deeper sciences.
The ACE (11month BSN) program at Drexel that i was accepted to has early assurance to their CRNA program which is a huge reason I am considering going there.
At the end of the day, being an RN with my BSN (and BS in Biology) will allow me the opportunity to pursue NP, CRNA, Genetic research unit, MSL....and to be quite honest, I'm not opposed to going back for a Masters in Science with a concentration in neuroscience or genetics to attempt to take the plunge into industrial research.
I'll look into infection control nursing. Yes I've considered clinical research, and work at the same facility as some of the best reproductive medicine researcher in the world. The weary part about reserach is that, yet it will provide me that 'mental masturbation' as someone so gracefully posted, but will also be extremely taxing mentally, mundane in its everyday tasks, and often times produce less than encouraging results. So my hesitations goes both ways, and are NOT limited to nursing in any way, shape, or form.
A PhD in nursing seems like it would just allow me to do more patient care / healthcare based research in certain settings, which is not what I'm looking for. Certain things like; what is a memory, the theory of consciousness, epigenetics and meythlations in the DNA, etc. are the topics that I find absolutely fascinating.
GrnTea, would you mind expanding a little bit more on some of these positions that you have held, or that you feel I would be interested in?
Thanks again everyone, can't wait to see what we are able to continue to collectively come up with and brainstorm.
there's nurse pharmacologist erm someting like that .. it really need to understand the chemistry behind drugs and the anaomy too. There's nursing infomatics - that's nursing+computer sci ... theres, nurse researcher, nurse writer. okies i haven't thought my own career through yet lol who am i to speak
Thank you NurseVisionary, I have definitely considered this, as I realize the institute that awards you your BSN seems to matter very little. Drexel does offer some benefits that I consider to be of significant value. It is 11 months (yes, rigorous, I'm aware), which will allow me to begin working on an RN salary that much sooner (compared to 16month-2year programs). Also the early assurance option for students that excel to have a guaranteed spot in MSN programs very attractive.
I think if you are really interested in scientific stimulation then you need to look elsewhere. Even the CRNA job is task oriented. You will never be testing hypotheses as a CRNA, because after all you will be using anesthesia, so it is steeped in protocol. You might take part in a research trial, but as a CRNA you won't be designing the trials etc. etc...
I've been out there a long time and I really think from reading what you are interested in that Nursing will not be very satisfactory to you.
Since you already have a BS in biology, why not apply to go for a PhD...in the neurosciences and the things that REALLY interest you. I mean, you said some stuff about being with people in their dire moments...but frankly...it is not always all fluffy, dramatic moments, it is hard work and repetitive.
As has been noted there is not a current shortage of nurses currently, so upon graduation you may or may not find yourself working in an ICU, regardless of how great a student you are. And if you were to tell me as a manager these interests, I'd be very likely to hire because I'd imagine you would not stay long.
Yes, nursing opens doors, but I think there are many ways to get where it is you may want to go...and Nursing seems one of the oddest to me.
RURN2O11
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P.S. Look for a BSN program w/ a good scientific background. I don't know if you're in the US or what part of the US if you are, but I would highly recommend Radford University in VA. That is where I went to school & we were required to know a vast amount of scientific background for EVERYTHING. I LOVED it! Yes, it was harder than many other nursing schools but I truly believe it made me a better nurse. Good luck!