xEdgexRNx

Thanks for the advice! What's strange is that Elementary stats needs more pre-reqs than Psych stats. And, what's even MORE frustrating is that each school requires a different stats. Ugh. So much for trying to get gen eds out of the way! Back to the Community Health BA, would I have an edge over other job-seekers b/c I not only have a background in nursing, but also background in Community Health Education, including being a personal trainer and certified nutritionist? I know that many public health jobs require a BSN or MPH, but wouldn't my combo (ADN/RN + PT + nutritionist + BA in Community Health Education) be a winning combo, for my knowledge-base spans multiple disciplines? I hope so! I'm really interested in this degree!

How difficult was psych stats? Math scares the stuffing out of me! Would elementary stats or psych stats be easier?

Do u know if most BSN programs want Psych Stats or Math Stats as a pre-req? Each program is different....

What are some community health programs you suggest I check in to? This field is foreign to me! Thanks so much!

That really makes me sad that the job prospects for health educators are slim-to-none. :-( It's my dream to do that... nursing is not what I thought it was, for I wanted to do more direct patient care, comfort, and teaching, yet (at least in my state), nurses only have time to throw pills at pts and then spend the rest of their time charting, manning the phones, being ordered around by doctors, and act like a secretary. The massive understaffing is not only stressful, but also dangerous. Since the boom of magnet status, no hospital here is hiring ADNs. They all require BSNs with years of experience. When i graduated and got hired at the hosp, they laid off all the ADN new-grads, but kept the BSN new grads. The recent graduating class of 2010 at my alma mater still don't have jobs, save for 5 out of the 140. And of those 5, only 2 were able to remain in state. They only got jobs b/c they worked as techs while in school. But even the other students who were techs didn't get hired b/c of their ADN. Even nursing homes won't take us b/c we dont have "3-5 years of acute care experience." I've applied out of state too, but no luck. I'd LOVE to do hospice and/or visiting nursing, but I run into the same brick wall. Nursing was my dream, but I haven't been able to find steady work since I graduated top of my class in 2008. So, I want to change careers, but still want to incorporate my love of health in my job. I love teaching and health, so a health educator position would be perfect, but I'm afraid I'll run into the same issue and not find a gig. I'm scared to get a BSN if my heart is not in nursing anymore. I'm not fond of acute care and the stress of someone's life on my shoulders can be too much at times. I want to help PREVENT people from getting ill and to help them live a healthy life. I don't know what my next step ought to be. . . . :-(

jjjoy: I do not like acute care. I would love to work in public health, especially with a focus on teaching. Mental health is also of interest, but not as much as teaching about nutrition, exercise, and prevention. What types of jobs encompass these qualities?

What about getting a Bachelors in Community Health with a concentration in Health Promotion Education in the Community Setting? A college nearby has this degree... I'm hoping it would lead to a career in Health Education (public, schools, etc). That's my dream, but IDK how to go about becoming a health educator and what the job prospects are like?

Hi! I have my ADN and want to go into Public/Community health. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the nursing field, but I would love to do more of a health education type of thing. I saw that a school in my area has a BA in Health Sciences with a Community health Education track. Would this enable me to do more of the teaching-side of health care? Would I need an advanced degree like an MPH or something else? What kind of jobs/careers can I expect with this type of degree? Would my ADN be an asset? Thanks!

I saw that a school in my area has a BA in Health Sciences with a Community health Education track. Would this enable me to do more of the teaching-side of health care? Would I need an advanced degree like an MPH or something else?

I saw that a school in my area has a BA in Health Sciences with a Community health Education track. Would this enable me to do more of the teaching-side of health care? Would I need an MPH or another degree?

So a BA in psych won't allow me to do anything, even OUTSIDE of nursing? Why does this degree even exist, then, besides acting as a segway to grad school? There seems to be such a debate about what one can or can't do with a Psych BA... some say it leads to a lot of opportunities b/c it is the study of people, the mind, and behavior, which are skills needed for anything and everything... plus, it's a BA degree, which is more than I have. Yet others say that this degree basically leads to nothing but grad school. So, I won't be marketable with a psych BA, even outside of nursing? Poop.

Do visiting Home Health RNs have on-call hours? What are the typical shift hours (start to finish)? Do you work past your shift often?

Thanks for the tips! I was interested in Public Health, but I'm not sure exactly what kinds/types of jobs/careers are available and what the market is for this field. What does one do with a MPH or as a Public Health Nurse? (Is a PHN a masters degree?) Thanks!

Hi! I have my ADN and need to get a bachelors (where I live, you can't get a job ANYWHERE in any field without some kind of BA degree). I've always been interested in psychology, so would my ADN + BA in psych be a good combo? What would this combo allow me to do in terms of jobs? I'm not sure if a BSN is right for me... I've been laid off several times in the last couple of years due to the economy and change in health care model (it it required to have a BSN for most RN jobs here). Plus, at least where I live, RNs don't have much patient-contact anymore, for most of the work is delegated to techs. The whole reason I went into nursing was to care for the needs of others... not to have others do that aspect! So, is a BA in psych a good idea? What it it enable me to do? Would this be a good move if I wanted to do hospice nursing or public health? What exactly does a psych nurse do (I would love to run groups, counsel, etc... I would not like to just dispense meds and chart, which is what the RNs at the hospital I did my psych clinicals did). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! I have my ADN and need to get a bachelors (where I live, you can't get a job ANYWHERE in any field without some kind of BA degree). I've always been interested in psychology, so would my ADN + BA in psych be a good combo? What would this combo allow me to do in terms of jobs? I'm not sure if a BSN is right for me... I've been laid off several times in the last couple of years due to the economy and change in health care model (it it required to have a BSN for most RN jobs here). Plus, at least where I live, RNs don't have much patient-contact anymore, for most of the work is delegated to techs. The whole reason I went into nursing was to care for the needs of others... not to have others do that aspect! So, is a BA in psych a good idea? What it it enable me to do? Would this be a good move if I wanted to do hospice nursing or public health? What exactly does a psych nurse do (I would love to run groups, counsel, etc... I would not like to just dispense meds and chart, which is what the RNs at the hospital I did my psych clinicals did). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Not sure why this thread turned into a personal attack on me. To the people who offered caring advice and a compassionate ear, thank you. Your patients are lucky to have such kind and empathetic nurses caring for them at such a vulnerable time. To those whom were rude and petty, shame on you. It is nurses like you that just reiterate my disdain for the profession. I consider this thread closed, for it has gone way off topic.

Very true. I'm just afraid that the same thing will happen as did with nursing: that I will have built up this image of teaching in my mind, yet when I actually start my career, I will be sorely disillusioned. What if I am giving up on nursing too soon? What if I just havent found my niche? These questions are unanswerable, which makes this decision that much more difficult. And it's not like I can shadow a teacher now b/c it is summer. Plus, shadowing doesn't give u the full feel of the job. Ugh, I get so jealous of the people who knew what they wanted to do since they were little! How lucky they are!

Thank u for the support... I must admit, I am quite taken aback by the rude and hurtful responses I am getting by some of the nurses here. Perhaps they are taking my original post as a criticism to their career and/or as a personal attack---which is not the case whatsoever. The post is about MY feelings regarding nursing d/t my experience thus far, as well as my desire to embark on another field. But personally attacking me is uncalled for and downright inappropriate. If u have nothing nice to post, then don't bother wasting the time to post it. Armed forces is not an option for me, for reasons I will not disclose. Plus, u need a BSN to be a nurse.... otherwise, u are just a medic. Sure, it will still provide much experience and great benefits, but again, this is not an option for me. I will keep my license active, of course. But my dilemma is to try to stick it out, in hopes things will turn around, or take this as a sign to move on to something else---something I've wanted to do for a while, but was persuaded otherwise.

Wow, that's rather harsh. Perhaps my confidence is extremely low d/t the fact that I've gotten laid-off twice since graduation. Perhaps my perceptions of nursing is wrong----the job is not at all similar to clinicals. Perhaps i DO have unrealistic expectations of nursing... but I dont think it's unrealistic to demand that nurses are given the time and resources to actually provide care to their patients instead of merely having enuf time to throw meds and them in order to cross off another task on their long list. Before u judge someone and slam them based on assumptions, perhaps u should get the full background. U don't know the other stuff going on in my life, nor should it concern u. However, being a nurse, I would hope u offer your patients more empathy than u did me. What are u planning on doing with your BSN? How are u liking Chamberlain and how much further do u have to go before graduating?

Even nursing homes aren't hiring. Isn't it sad that THIS is what nursing has morphed into? Florence is probably rolling in her grave! I did not go into this field to treat my pts like this.... yet this is what nurses are forced to do d/t the modern nature of the job. This is not holistic care.... it's more like an assembly line, which is not how people, especially those gravely ill, ought to be treated. This is not conducive to healing whatsoever. Unfortunately, I DON'T know if I "figured it out." Perhaps I AM making too rash of a decision, but like u said, I don't want to wait around until it is too late to embark on what I feel is my real passion. Question is, how do i know whether to "stick it out" or try something else? I've contacted several agencies.... I'm "too inexperienced." U gotta have that magical 1-2 years of experience, which I don't have (and can't get!). Urgh I HAVE expanded my search... I've applied to every RN-related job out there. I have tried Indian reservations, the Applaccian region, etc.... no such luck. AND NO ONE is offering relocation benefits. I'm SO in debt that I cannot afford to just pick up and move away. Sort of a catch-22, but that's reality. YES! I totally agree with u, 100000000%! I wish I knew my niche too. I know that hospital nursing is NOT for me, but it seems that u MUST have at least 1 yr of it in order to be qualified for anything else. :-( I'd love to do hospice, home health, or something out in the community, but without that background, I'm screwed. Plus, those community positions (especially home health) require u to have 2 yrs experience in that field... so, yeah, a new person is SOL! IDK what to do. I think I'd enjoy working at those Take Care Health Clinics in Walgreens, but that wud require a lot of schooling, money, time, and EXPERIENCE in acute settings. Thus, all those factors work against me. I just feel extremely dismayed and disillusioned by nursing.... and I'm absolutely distraught over it. I know no one can make this decision for me (but I wish someone could!).... but I am seriously at a loss. Pros and cons weigh heavy on both ends.... but IDK what to do. The "easy" thing would be to stay in nursing, but risk growing more and more burned out and frustrated by the field. Changing careers would not be easy, but it may bring some joy into my life, less stress, and the feeling of making a difference. I wish I had the support of my family, but my mom (a disgruntled teacher) does not think that going into teaching is a wise decision. This sucks. :-(

I thought nursing was to be more than simply a career choice; it felt like my calling. After having several close family members and friends battle cancer and other serious illnesses (and being their caregiver), it seemed as though some higher being was leading me to my path: to be a nurse. Thus, I applied to an extremely competitive ADN program, graduated valedictorian of my class, took an NLCEX review course, and passed my NCLEX. Everything seemed to be going well . . . until I got laid-off from after 1.5m from a Medical-Oncology unit at a local hospital 2 wks after moving out on my own. I couldn't find a job for 4 months, save for very-PRN LTC and private-duty jobs that didn't pay the bills. Luckily, I landed a job as an RN in an alternative school. . . but was laid-off again b/c they wanted a Certified school RN. So, in less than a year, I got laid-off twice and cannot find a job to save my life. I live in IL and have applied state-wide to every place I can think of---- from hospitals, clinics, schools, and even abortion clinics. Everything is either frozen or they only want BSNs, 3-5+ yrs experience, specialties, PRN/registry positions.... not ADNs (damn Magnet status requirements! lol). I've applied to a few places out of state, but even those hospitals would rather take a more experienced instate RN than an "inexperienced" out of state RN. Plus, I have no money for relocation---and relocation bonuses are not happenin' anymore! Not only am I frustrated by the whole job aspect (so much for nursing being "great job security!"), but even the ROLE of the RN has changed.... it seems like RNs do less "patient care" and are instead more akin to a glorified secretary, pill pusher, supervisor, and MD b*tch. The CNAs are the ones who are able to spend the most time with the pts... RNs are running around, fielding phones calls, documenting, consulting with the numerous MDs each pt has, etc. I went into nursing to provide pt care----it's not like that anymore. RNs are SO overworked, underpaid, and inundated with pts and other tedious tasks.... where's the nursing? Plus, the stress of having someone's life rest upon your shoulders is enuf to cause major anxiety attacks! I'm dismayed, frustrated, saddened, and burned out already from nursing. I jus started my RN-BSN completion program thru Chamberlain (I've completed 4 classes... lots more left to finish), but am seriously considering changing careers. I've always had a passion for teaching and am considering going into education instead. Or dental hygiene (u can work PT doing this and make more than an RN! Plus, very little stress!). I need help figuring out what to do. My family thinks I havent given nursing enough time, but I've given it a year and all the signs are pointing towards a career change.... perhaps nursing isn't my calling? How do I know this for sure tho? I know the economy is bad, but seriously, how much more "red flags" can one be shown? Should I finish my BSN? Should I switch majors and go into Education or Dental Hygiene? Any job searching advice (I've exhausted every option, I'm telling ya!)? I'm so upset that nursing has lead me down this horrible path, but perhaps this is god's way of telling me to go into something else?

I thought nursing was to be more than simply a career choice; it felt like my calling. After having several close family members and friends battle cancer and other serious illnesses (and being their caregiver), it seemed as though some higher being was leading me to my path: to be a nurse. Thus, I applied to an extremely competitive ADN program, graduated valedictorian of my class, took an NLCEX review course, and passed my NCLEX. Everything seemed to be going well . . . until I got laid-off from after 1.5m from a Medical-Oncology unit at a local hospital 2 wks after moving out on my own. I couldn't find a job for 4 months, save for very-PRN LTC and private-duty jobs that didn't pay the bills. Luckily, I landed a job as an RN in an alternative school. . . but was laid-off again b/c they wanted a Certified school RN. So, in less than a year, I got laid-off twice and cannot find a job to save my life. I live in IL and have applied state-wide to every place I can think of---- from hospitals, clinics, schools, and even abortion clinics. Everything is either frozen or they only want BSNs, 3-5+ yrs experience, specialties, PRN/registry positions.... not ADNs (damn Magnet status requirements! lol). I've applied to a few places out of state, but even those hospitals would rather take a more experienced instate RN than an "inexperienced" out of state RN. Plus, I have no money for relocation---and relocation bonuses are not happenin' anymore! Not only am I frustrated by the whole job aspect (so much for nursing being "great job security!"), but even the ROLE of the RN has changed.... it seems like RNs do less "patient care" and are instead more akin to a glorified secretary, pill pusher, supervisor, and MD b*tch. The CNAs are the ones who are able to spend the most time with the pts... RNs are running around, fielding phones calls, documenting, consulting with the numerous MDs each pt has, etc. I went into nursing to provide pt care----it's not like that anymore. RNs are SO overworked, underpaid, and inundated with pts and other tedious tasks.... where's the nursing? Plus, the stress of having someone's life rest upon your shoulders is enuf to cause major anxiety attacks! I'm dismayed, frustrated, saddened, and burned out already from nursing. I jus started my RN-BSN completion program thru Chamberlain (I've completed 4 classes... lots more left to finish), but am seriously considering changing careers. I've always had a passion for teaching and am considering going into education instead. Or dental hygiene (u can work PT doing this and make more than an RN! Plus, very little stress!). I need help figuring out what to do. My family thinks I havent given nursing enough time, but I've given it a year and all the signs are pointing towards a career change.... perhaps nursing isn't my calling? How do I know this for sure tho? I know the economy is bad, but seriously, how much more "red flags" can one be shown? Should I finish my BSN? Should I switch majors and go into Education or Dental Hygiene? Any job searching advice (I've exhausted every option, I'm telling ya!)? I'm so upset that nursing has lead me down this horrible path, but perhaps this is god's way of telling me to go into something else?

do u think im not giving it enuf of a chance? I do know that I cannot do the crazy on-call hours, nor am I happy that she wasnt truthful about the hours of the "shifts". What do I do in the meantime for income? I've applied everywhere!

What are chronic clinics like? at least i'd have shift hours and no on-call if i let her know my concerns, im afriad she'll fire me without transferring me to dialysis. I just want a hospital job! why arent hospitals hiring?! this is so ridiculous! im willing to move out of state too... but no place is hiring "newer" grads