Kat0430

I am looking for any input from those involved in nursing research. I am currently an RN with a big interest in research and looking into master's degree programs that would allow me to pursue a career in research. I am looking for input from anyone involved in nursing research, either in a faculty role, epidemiology, or nursing practice, to name a few roles. I am having difficulty determining what the best track for me would be. I have been able to find master's programs in Clinical Nurse Leadership, Evidence-Based Nursing, NP programs but I am also considering an MPH. I would love any feedback regarding paths chosen by those currently involved in research or opinions of those with research experience. Thank you in advance!

Hi there, I myself was in a similar situation (I had a BA in Psych and wanted to become an NP). I made the decision to complete a 2 year, ADN program (which is much less expensive than a BSN or Direct entry program), work for a few years as an RN (so I can make a little money and gain experience) and am planning to apply for masters programs in a year or two. This enables me to work while I get my masters, have tuition assistance from the hospital I currently work for, as well as get my feet wet and fully understand the role of an RN before working towards my NP. So far it's working for me. I graduated this past May with my RN and love my job! It's everything I hoped it would be and has already made me rethink the direction I want my master's education to take. Best of luck to you, one great thing about nursing is the flexibility, which exists both on the job & in the education options available.

Hi Baceball, I just took the NCLEX yesterday morning and felt that the questions were harder than the HESI. The format was similar but answers were not as obvious. I took the Drexel Review course, studied out of Saunders and Kaplan, and I feel by far the Kaplan questions most similarly reflect the NCLEX. I finished with 75 questions and was begging for more, when I left I did not have a good feeling. I really thought I bombed it, but I checked later that night on my states BON and I have a valid RN License so I guess I passed! Just keep positive, study hard and continue to take questions. You will succeed if you believe in yourself and put the work into it! Good Luck!

I think the most basic pre-requisites are usually A&P I&II with labs, microbiology, general chemistry and human growth and development. If you have these, you should be sitting pretty nicely. I am assuming you already have things like English Comp, General Psych and such from your previous classes for your BA in Childhood education. Considering how tough A&P, Microbio and Gen Chem can be, these are best taken prior to entrance into a program regardless of if they are "required". I have many classmates who are taking A&P in conjunction with our nursing classes and they have a much harder time (and certainly NO life outside school). Good luck and congratulations for taking the leap and following your heart!

I live and work in NH and got my phlebotomy cert in Mass. As far as I know, once you've completed the class you can be hired. I did do a 120 hour externship after my program just to become more comfortable but was offered a position straight out of my class. No special liscense is required in NH, just your certificate of completion for the course (my course was one night a week for 16 weeks).

Hi Belle I was in the exact same situation, have a BA in Psych was working in a dead end job and trying to get into a nursing program. I took all of my pre reqs and applied to direct entry MSN programs to no avail. I decided to take a phlebotomy course while I waited and applied to ASN programs. I have now been working as a phlebotomist for 6 months and love it and recently got accepted into an ASN program, in which they accepted all of my previous classes allowing me to take only my nursing classes with them. Don't get discouraged, I have been working at getting into a nursing program for four years and have finally made it in. I love my job as a phlebotomist though don't expect to make any money (I started at $11 per hour and that seems to be the going rate). I think working as a phlebotomist has gotten me more comfortable with working with patients one on one and has helped me to gain a little more confidence. Good luck to you in whatever you choose, but don't ever lose heart. You can achieve all that you desire with patience and hard work.