believe777

I am wondering what kinds of jobs are out there for a BA (in non-nursing field) plus a Master in Public Health? Are most of the public health/patient education jobs going to RN's? Does only having a masters in public health limit your options? I am thinking it would... Thanks for your help.

Thank you all for your response. I am so happy that I posted. I wasn't clear, but it is my plan to get better before going to NS full time (there is a waiting list for that anyway). I don't think that would even happen until '09 or '10. I am going to use the next year to keep researching, get better and maybe do a pre requisite or two. I think this whole thing is a good distraction for me right now, which may lead to something very meaningful. One of the reasons I posted was because I feel like I haven't been able to tell that many people because I am still working it out within myself. It's great to hear your stories and your take on the whole radiation/ working part time issue. Thank you ALL for taking the time to help me! You have shown me that I can do it, not all at once, but little by little.

I am hoping that someone can help me out... I am seriously considering a career in nursing. I am trying to meet / shadow/ talk to as many nurses as possible and make sure it's a right fit for me. There are a few things that are unique to my desire to be a nurse (or maybe they are not so unique after all). I am currently a professional with a BA. Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer and I am still not in the clear yet. Although, I am feeling really good and my chance of remission is high. I guess my experience with cancer has forced me to look at healthcare in a very different way and I really enjoying learning about it. I would feel strange if I was no longer perusing knowledge of health after cancer. Not sure if this situation is unique to me, or if others have seen this sort of "phenomenon." I was also so impressed with nurses all throughout my experience--pre-op, PACU and meg/surgery nurses that I encountered. My concern is that I could be asking for too much stress in my life, when right now, I have a very easy, low stress desk job (which is also boring me to tears). When I read many of these posts, sometimes, I want to run away from the profession--mostly because of the long hrs, high patient /nurse ratios and bureaucracy. I keep thinking to myself that I have no business thinking I can do something like this with what I'm going through. But then the other side of me keeps researching the career. The "human" element of nursing is not what bothers me. I can deal with stuff that can make your stomach turn. Here are the things I am concerned about. 1.) Exposure from radiation. How often do you have to bring patients to radiology and is there anyway to know how much exposure is too much? I know that you aren't in the actual room with people during CAT scans, etc, but even being around a CAT scan room while it's going off emits some radiation, right? Are there certain areas of nursing where you don't have to come in contact with radiology? I'd just like to know as my cancer was most likely a result of some form of radiation (as most are). 2.) Stress of the job. I know there are a lot of nurses with disabilities, (and I am certainly physically fit) and I know there are nurses who have had cancer and go back to work, or even work while they have treatment. But I just wouldn't want to do anything detrimental to my health. I suppose it could also work as some kind of healing process, if I did really like my job. I guess no one can really answer this question but me. I just wanted to get it off my chest somehow! 3.) This would be my second career and my husband and I have a toddler, not too concerned about this part though, but add this to the cancer issue. 4.) I would like to have the option of working part time (I think this would help with the stress issue and I could fulfill my dream). I am getting mixed information about nursing part time. It seems like once the "system" gets its hands on you they just get you for more and more hours. Is there any kind of limit setting? Thanks for listening!