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Discussion

Other uses for BSN?

Hello. I hate to be a pessimist, but I have already taken the NCLEX once and did not pass. I am studying for it again and am enrolled in a KAPLAN class. There is SO MUCH STUFF to review. I am trying my best, but I don't know if I can pass it the 2nd time. If I don't, I don't know if I will have the energy to go through it again. At first sight, I know most of you will want to say, "you can do it, don't give up", but I am being real. Does anyone know of other uses of my Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing?

Featured Replies

  • Experts

Without a license to back it up, there is not much that you can do with the degree. But definitely do not give up hope, you may just need help with the way that you are preparing.

I am willing to help you, but you need to tell me what you were doing for the first exam, not what you are doing with Kaplan.

And send me your e-mail adress by pm, do not post it here.

You can get thru it. You spent way too much time in school to throw it all away. :)

  • Author
Without a license to back it up, there is not much that you can do with the degree. But definitely do not give up hope, you may just need help with the way that you are preparing.

I am willing to help you, but you need to tell me what you were doing for the first exam, not what you are doing with Kaplan.

And send me your e-mail adress by pm, do not post it here.

You can get thru it. You spent way too much time in school to throw it all away. :)

With the first exam, I studied with the KAPLAN book I purchased from Barnes and Nobles. It was not the actual corse book, but it had some great tips in it. This time I am taking the actual KAPLAN class, and I am learning new things. I just don't know if I will be able to do it. On the first exam, I had 3 areas below passing, 4 near passing and 1 above passing.....I think that's correct, or something close to it.

  • Experts

First, pick up a copy of the Saunder's Comprehensive Review Book for the NCLREX-RN. This is the only book that I recommend for the exam...........and if I can help a foreign-trained nurse pass the first time with it, it should work for you as well.

With the first exam, I studied with the KAPLAN book I purchased from Barnes and Nobles. It was not the actual corse book, but it had some great tips in it. This time I am taking the actual KAPLAN class, and I am learning new things. I just don't know if I will be able to do it. On the first exam, I had 3 areas below passing, 4 near passing and 1 above passing.....I think that's correct, or something close to it.

I took Hurst review with 1/2 my class - we've had a high pass rate so far. Hurst provides you with core material, Kaplan is also good, I studied the book, and also studied Saunders. The 3 together = SUCCESS!!! Good luck!

  • Experts

While you may not be able to get a nursing job your bachelor's degree is like gold. There are a number of other healthcare related careers you should check out such as public health, information managment and administration. Also, insofar as employment is concerned you can try your hand with a more upscale employment agency that places young graduates in beginning leadership positions. There are a number of businesses (drug sales comes to my mind) that want people who have a bachelor's degree and are not specific about what it is in. I know someone who got a B.S. in forensic science, but was unable to get a job in the field (I think she was lured by what she saw on CSI on the TV). Anyway, she got a job at a bank almost right away. She started as a teller--a teller!--but, has moved into supervision positions quite rapidly. It has been because of her degree. I believe that what they are doing is starting her from the ground up and putting her into various jobs with the idea of eventually moving her into security. So, don't despair. You may have to look a little closer for work, but your education is never wasted. Go to all the job fairs you find advertised and network to see what you can come up with.

  • Author
While you may not be able to get a nursing job your bachelor's degree is like gold. There are a number of other healthcare related careers you should check out such as public health, information managment and administration. Also, insofar as employment is concerned you can try your hand with a more upscale employment agency that places young graduates in beginning leadership positions. There are a number of businesses (drug sales comes to my mind) that want people who have a bachelor's degree and are not specific about what it is in. I know someone who got a B.S. in forensic science, but was unable to get a job in the field (I think she was lured by what she saw on CSI on the TV). Anyway, she got a job at a bank almost right away. She started as a teller--a teller!--but, has moved into supervision positions quite rapidly. It has been because of her degree. I believe that what they are doing is starting her from the ground up and putting her into various jobs with the idea of eventually moving her into security. So, don't despair. You may have to look a little closer for work, but your education is never wasted. Go to all the job fairs you find advertised and network to see what you can come up with.

Thank you so much for the insight. I was just in a bank today depositing my rinky dink chech thinking to myself how I would much rather be a part time bank teller while I am studying to retake my boards instead of working for close to nothing in a warehouse! I busted my behind in school; I think I am worth more than I am making now! I looked for health related positions I could use my BSN for, but could find nothing. I just might look into the bank thing. Thank you for being positive, which is something we ALL need right now. I have been noticing that some who have taken and passed their boards and have since moved on with their lives and probably cannot relate to others who are struggling to get there seem to post short and snappy responses to things posted. I appreciate your response.

  • Experts
I looked for health related positions I could use my BSN for, but could find nothing.

Just so you know. . .I was a very active hospital RN for 30 years. Medical problems are preventing me from doing that work. I got curious about the diagnosis codes that we had to use to order UTIs and x-rays when I worked in nursing homes parttime. Found out this was coding and decided to learn it since I always loved math and working with numbers. I've since discovered there is a whole career out there in health information management (HIM) and that coding is only a part of it. With the government requiring data reporting from nursing homes and hospitals the computerized end of medical records management has gotten huge. It takes a college degree just to understand the stuff going on! HIM has grown out of what used to be called medical records (notice I said used to be). It has grown into an awesome profession. My nursing education and experience has been a real advantage, and I specifically got one job because I was an RN as well as a coder. I also know of a coding and billing company near where I live that will only hire ER and critical care RNs and teach them to code because they feel a nurse can better understand what the doctors dictations mean and are therefore able to code so the doctors will get the maximum amount of money for the services they performed. Believe it or not, it has been estimated that some hospitals and most physicians are losing a great deal of money because of incorrect or omitted coding on their bills. My HIM classes are held in the same building as the nursing and dental hygienist programs. HIM professionals can make as much as RNs and much more if they work in management positions. The trick is to get certified or registered, but it is done voluntarily through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). No state boards to worry about. However, Medicare has been suggesting for a long time that a certified coder be in the office of everyone who bills using medical codes. If you want a better description of what a HIM professional does go to the AHIMA web site. I love nursing and working with patients, but it is not the only healthcare profession where you can make a decent living.

Thank you so much for the insight. I was just in a bank today depositing my rinky dink chech thinking to myself how I would much rather be a part time bank teller while I am studying to retake my boards instead of working for close to nothing in a warehouse! I busted my behind in school; I think I am worth more than I am making now! I looked for health related positions I could use my BSN for, but could find nothing. I just might look into the bank thing. Thank you for being positive, which is something we ALL need right now. I have been noticing that some who have taken and passed their boards and have since moved on with their lives and probably cannot relate to others who are struggling to get there seem to post short and snappy responses to things posted. I appreciate your response.

I think you are going to pass NCLEX the next time you take it. Why do I think this when I don't even know you? Because you obviously care enough about nursing to be on this web site asking for help from others & that means something. It shows you are going above & beyond to prepare for passing NCLEX. Lots of people who are nurses today have had to take it more than once. I know several of them & they are all great nurses. Keep studying & doing your practice questions (I used CD-roms-they were great practice). I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Soon you'll be an RN! :) Good luck.

-Christine

Hello. I hate to be a pessimist, but I have already taken the NCLEX once and did not pass. I am studying for it again and am enrolled in a KAPLAN class. There is SO MUCH STUFF to review. I am trying my best, but I don't know if I can pass it the 2nd time. If I don't, I don't know if I will have the energy to go through it again. At first sight, I know most of you will want to say, "you can do it, don't give up", but I am being real. Does anyone know of other uses of my Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing?

How about the FBI? I was looking on their website the other day and a BSN in nursing was listed as a degree they are looking for. Don't know much more than that.

Hello. I hate to be a pessimist, but I have already taken the NCLEX once and did not pass. I am studying for it again and am enrolled in a KAPLAN class. There is SO MUCH STUFF to review. I am trying my best, but I don't know if I can pass it the 2nd time. If I don't, I don't know if I will have the energy to go through it again. At first sight, I know most of you will want to say, "you can do it, don't give up", but I am being real. Does anyone know of other uses of my Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing?

Thanks for your question.....though I performed well academically...I'm worried about "making it" as a nurse....and I've often wondered what else I might do if I'm not successful....always need a plan B! I've felt comforted by the responses you've gotten.

Anyway, regarding NCLEX and how to study for it....I recommend other than knowing some things like lab values....potassiium...etc and knowing "normal" vital signs.....try to think "big picture"....there are a million details....no one can possibly know them all....In my opinion you have to think like this.....ok we're talking electrolyes......electrolyes are involved with things like muscle contraction.....nerve impulses (electrical stuff)......start from the general....then work to the specific.....I don't know why they don't teach this way.

A great example of this thinking is from Marlene Hurst....whom I had the opportunity to listen to at a NSA convention...and then bid on her online review series.....I bought for 70 bucks....was definately worth it though I don't know the actual retail value......I strongly recommend her course....she'll teach you how to think "big picture" and you can problem solve the rest. I really believe this is how one must learn to think for Nursing practise generally, because, again, we can't possibly know everything....so you're always problem solving......say pt. has LOC changes....are they just sleepy....haven't had a good nights sleep since in hospital....could it be blood sugar (are they diabetic).....is it oxygen? etc Think big first....you'll be surprised how many details you can fill in afterwards.

Best of Luck!

Would love to hear what you decide.

Christina

ps...would also love to hear from others if they think I am correct in my thought process.

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