leogoat

I think it's a matter of societal expectations and assumptions. Nurses have typically and historically been mostly female. Fortunately that's changing but we still have quite a way to go!

Head to toe: Look first, Auscultate next, THen Feel. -

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE. I'm starting BSN at Johns Hopkins in Sept. Nervous and excited.

Thanks for your reply. I believe my previous post came to you because you are a part of this conversation thread that started with someone saying a lot of people have tried to talk her out of being a nurse. However, she was going from real estate agent to LVN, not to RN. Although not in nursing school yet, I've seen enough to know I'm going to love nursing and welcome all the challenges. I also want to get a master's or nurse practitioner degree. I think women should pursue as much education as possible. One of the reasons some don't like nursing, is that they just have an associate's degree.

Why did you find that nursing wasn't for you? Which degree did you obtain (ADN, BSN . . .) Where were you working? (hospital, setting. . .)

Always consider the source of comments. WHO is saying it and where they're coming from. Always listen to yourself FIRST and LAST. True, you are studying to be an LPN - is this a step towards being an RN? I'll be starting the BS Nursing program at Johns Hopkins. I plan on continuing, after working a while, to complete a master's degree, possibly Nurse Practitioner. I'll be 50 y.o. this August, and am thrilled about the opportunities ahead. This is a career change from graphic, print design. To make the change from graphics to healthcare, I became a personal trainer and now an aerobics instructor. A lot of people ask me why I'm pursuing nursing, puzzled that I'd change from something that sounds glamorous to something that sounds, well, like being a nurse. People who question your decision probably have no clue to the many possibilities of nursing, and the fact that we'll always have a job. In ANY field you'll find people that love it and people that hate it, and many in-between. It's so individual. You've wanted this for 3 years, that's a good track record. I want to encourage you to continue and get as much education as possible. Many nurses have left the field because it has typically been a difficult job with low pay. This is changing and will change most for those with advanced degrees. Healthcare is the most stable field and continues to grow. NEVER GIVE UP. Never let anyone else deter you from what you want. Most people stay in jobs / careers they're not happy with and don't have the courage or fortitude to change. CONGRADULATIONS on the birth of your child. Good idea to wait before starting the LPN program. OK?

i will be going to johns hopkins nursing, next year!!! :)

Without a doubt, the BSN is the way to go. The only reason to pursue the ADN would be simply lack of finances. Although about half the nurses working today have ADN degrees, the more experienced nurses will always say, 'Get the Bachelor's - you'll be limited without it.' The bachelor's will also prepare you for management and a better future, more pay. The other route: get the ADN then don't wait too long before pursing RN to MSN degree. A lot of universities have this option. I think with the Associate degree and your RN license, you can go into this program and three years later have a master's degree!! :balloons:

I am just starting out my BS Nursing program this fall, but have done a lot of research on Nursing degrees. The Associate degree and Bachelor degrees will pay the most. They both prepare you for the SAME RN license obtained by passing the NCLEX exam. However, it seems that the BS degree prepares one more for management and may not have as much clinical !!! The Associate Degrees are easier to find and a LOT Cheaper to get, but in the long-term will probably open more doors. The other advantage to an Associate Degree, is that many schools offer RN to MSN degrees in about 3 years! You enter as an RN with an Associate Degree and leave a MSN degree. THE LVN and CNA seem to be good ground-level experience but wil never pay as much or provide the extensive opportunities of higher degrees.

Candy, Thanks for your reply So I've heard a lot of good things about Mt. St. Mary's... and it's pricey. I'm counting on getting scholarships, grants, loans, and some family help to get me through those 3 years at MSMC. What kind of nursing do you do? I anticipate paying my "dues" in a hospital but would like to learn more about the other options in Nursing. It seems to be a growing field with a lot of diversity. I'm 48 and if I start the progam this fall I will be 52 when I graduate. ALthough I've kept myself in good shape, I may not want to deal with the extreme physical challenges in the hospital. ..... or I could specilize in comatose patients! Nancy

Kathi, Sounds like you run an ideal facility. I have just applied to nursing schools and am wondering what your opinion is: a) How much does it matter where a BSN is from? b) What's your opinion of these schools- have you worked with any of their graduates (BSN) 1- Mount Saint Mary's College, Los Angeles 2- University of San Francisco 3- Univ. of Arizona, Tucson 4- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing I've applied to all of them and am awaiting acceptance notice. I've got a 3.6 GPA and hope to have a 3.8 by the end of this semester (finishing Physiology, English 101-B, Nutrition) Would you be able to respond to my personal email as I may have a difficult time finding this page again>? Thanks, Nancy P. [email protected]