HTXTed

Thanks for answering, everyone! I think now that being a RN would be a better career choice (and would tie in well with my ultimate goal of becoming a school nurse). @ BeenThereDoneThat, that's definitely a huge salary gap ;-). I was partly curious about the work schedule, but with that said, I would work whatever hours were needed to succeed in my role as an RN. A bit trite of me to use that line, but I wouldn't let odd hours or long workdays stop me. I feel great when I work a long day and I pushed myself to be better. Thx again everyone! Also, sorry, I got a couple PMs, but allnurses isn't letting me respond to them, until I get at least 15 posts. You know what that means...Make some random and inane comments on other topics! Just kidding.

Hi, First, thanks to the fine people on this website for informing me more about getting certified to be either a MA or an ADN/BSN, when I asked in the past, on another posting... I have researched the differences between being a MA and a RN/ADN/BSN on Google and it seems like being a MA is more of the 9-to-5 job in doctors' offices. I realize that MA's get paid less than what RNs get paid, but I also realize that nurses usually work long shifts and really have to move around the hospital and be on the go a lot (from what I hear). Not saying a MA's job is "easy", however. What would be a "layman's" way to describe the major differences between a medical assistant and a nurse? I understand that MAs may do admin/clinical work and usually have traditional work schedules, whereas nurses may have erratic hours and are more focused on patient care and doing what one would think a nurse does. Thanks again for any clarification! :-)

Thanks, Amethya! :-) I see. So MAs are the ones who say "please step on the scale...please follow me into the doctor's room, let me take your blood pressure, etc."...? Also, would MA "credits" from a certification course ever transfer over from a Medical Assistant/Aide position to an ADN/BSN degree down the road? Or would I need to start from scratch to become an ADN/BSN? Thanks!

Thanks again for replying! :-) So, to confirm, would the best first step be to aim for becoming a medical assistant? And down the road go back to get my BSN and down the road aim for being a school nurse? I suppose I'm trying to find the best path from where I am at now (starting at "zero") and working towards the end goal of being a school nurse. Thanks again, everyone!

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the additional replies! I like the suggestion of also considering teaching something related to health/nursing; That's a neat suggestion. Also, I'll heed the advice of gaining exposure before looking to be a school nurse. At first I think I was too idyllic with the school nurse job, in thinking that it would be more of the "my stomach hurts" or "I got a cut on my finger". I mean, there would be those cases, but there'd also be ones like what was suggested in the post and if I was still learning the field it might not be as easy to feel completely comfortable. Also, to "throw it out there"; While I was studying to become a nurse and getting my BSN, would a potential job as a Medical Assistant help my resume, or build my skills? I understand that the pay is fairly low for a Med Asst, but I didn't know if it might look good on a resume...? Thanks again!

Thanks for the awesome replies! I will absorb each reply and consider what was suggested in each. Thanks again :-)

Thanks! :-) Is the job market generally decent for RNs with Associate's Degrees? I live in Houston, so I'm hoping that there'll be a decent amount of openings after graduating...That's neat you worked in a classroom; Did you teach nursing classes?

Thanks :-)

Hi Everyone, I'm seriously considering changing career tracks and getting an associate's degree related to being a registered nurse. Ideally I would like to be a school nurse, after getting my associate's degree and passing the exams. I am a man in his early 30's, so I'm not sure if being a male nurse would be a plus, or not make a difference. My main questions relate to if being a RN would be a good career move for the long-term. I am doing this since I researched the field and enjoy assisting others. I truly believe that I would be happiest in a school setting (I used to be a teacher in the past, but got burned out on the need to be the strict figure in the classroom and to deal with all of the micromanaging that comes with it...But that's a whole 'nother post). I understand that a local community college in Houston does the RN program and it seems fairly affordable. But, with that said, would a potential employer mind if you went to a community college for your associate's? Or does it just matter if you pass the exams, and that's about it? I know too that schools usually have just one nurse on-staff, so the openings might be fewer, but then again, I don't want to let that stop me in and of itself. But, I also figure that there are bound to be openings for school nurses, so I shouldn't despair unnecessarily. However, I also am realistic that many nurses would rather do nursing in a school than be in a hospital... Lastly, I have an issue with my back that will later require some physical therapy. With that said, I can still move around and walk fine, but I think that something like working in a hospital where I'd be on the move constantly might aggravate it over time. Thus, I am trying to find a RN job where preferably I don't need to be on-the-go constantly (and I'm willing to work a nursing job that pays a bit less to have that). All in all, I see that the job growth for RNs is supposedly going to be around 16%, which is a good sign, but I'm unsure if as a new RN I would need to work in a medical facility or in a job that was consistently on-the-go (...?). Thanks again for any helpful advice! :-)