NYC Correction Officer looking to become a R.N.

[C.O.toR.N.]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently a Correction Officer with the City of New York and have been there for about 4 years. I am in my late 20's and I am looking to change my career. The benefits, retirement, and pay for where I work are awesome, but the job is just too much fighting and I dont feel like I am helping anyone. I have always been interested in nursing and I have begun looking into going to school to become a R.N. I already have my bachlors degree in a non-related field, but I am not sure how to approach getting my degree. I know they offer Associates Degrees in places like Westchester Community College and out Community Colleges in the area, but of course getting a bachlors degree is always better. I'm not looking to quit my job and go to school full time so it is going to have to be something part time. Does anyone have any insight into getting an associates degree first and then attempting to get a job as a R.N. and getting a bachlors while working as an R.N. or is that a waste of time and I should just get my bachlors degree first. I dont want to spend several years in school getting my degree. I would like to get my associates in nursing, get my foot in the door and get some experiance under my belt and then work on my bachlors. What are peoples opinions on this and what do you recommend as far as an associates degree in nursing? I dont want to offend anyone by saying this, but I am a male and I have heard from some people that places are more likely to hire males due to the lifting nature of the job....please dont let that offend anyone because i dont mean it like that.

Thank you so much for your input and any type of information will be very much appreciated. Thank you!

[NurseVoldemort, BSN, RN]

Well, the plus to getting your associates first is that you are getting 2 full years of nursing practice. In the BSN program the last 6 months is more on leadership. So I honestly feel like the ADN new grad is more prepared than the BSN new grad. However, the difference is easily made up by time and experiance. It's supposed to be harder to get a job with an ADN vs a BSN, but I don't have a BSN and I haven't had a problem... I've seen lots of job openings in the Capital Region... Another nice thing about going ADN first, is usually the program is cheaper than the BSN and once you have a job, your employer will often help you pay for getting you BSN. So really the only down fall I see it that it takes longer to get your BSN if you get your ADN first.

Good luck!

[Rock, LPN, RN]

Well, there is another option that you may wish to consider. You could take training for LPN for one year, gain considerable experience, then join Helene Fuld School of Nursing for an additional year for RN. When training is completed at HF School, you will have earned an Associate Degree in Nursing.

[mo2rn, BSN, RN]

Well i just completed a qcc nursing program which offered a evening program.I worked full time while attending so this could be an option for you

[Rizingphoenix]

Hello,

I too am a nyc correction officer considering a change. Trust me, I understand ! I just hit top pay this November and although the benefits are great, still I feel as you do. I am not helping anyone....that sucks. Feel free to email me....I've started John Jay just to get in some credits [email protected]

[Rizingphoenix]

Im also nyc doc...i want to change also....email me at [email protected] just made 5 yrs

[Getting To Great]

i just want to give you some school that you can look into. these school i am about to list are adn school, as for having your prerequisites, i recommend having them done at a community college that is affordable. all these program/schools are accredited by nlnac.

phillips beth israel school of nursing

776 6th avenue

new york, ny 10001

phone: [phone]

borough of manhattan community college - cuny

199 chambers street, s-785

new york, ny 10007-1097

phone: [phone]

bronx community college - cuny

gould tech rm 413, w. 181st street & university avenue

bronx, ny 10453-2895

phone: [phone]

helene fuld college of nursing

24 e. 120th street

new york, ny 10035

phone: [phone]

kingsborough community college of cuny

2001 oriental boulevard

brooklyn, ny 11235-2398

phone: [phone]

laguardia community college-cuny

31-10 thomson avenue, rm e-300

long island city, ny 11101-3083

phone: [phone]

long island college hospital

350 henry street, 7th floor

brooklyn, ny 11201

phone: [phone]

new york city college of technology

300 jay street

brooklyn, ny 11201-1909

phone: [phone]

queensborough community college of cuny

222-05 56th avenue

bayside, ny 11364

phone: [phone]

st. john's riverside hospital

967 north broadway

yonkers, ny 10701

phone: [phone]

you have the option to do an absn once your prerequisites are done, but if you want to get some experience then the adn would be an option for you since it's only a two year program. imo, there's no need to attempt the lpn because you might as well just to cna/pct because it's the practical experience you need.

i know when you begin your nursing journey you might say, 'what the heck you got yourself into', but remember to keep pressing forward and embrace it. best of luck.