NewMexicoJohn

I am sure there are other RNs out there who may already have a BA or a BS degree in another field, and some of us even have Master's degrees in other related healthcare fields. Some employers will not recognize any other BA or BS degrees even though the same upper level nursing courses may have been completed. There are many programs on line to take students from RN to BSN but none exist that will take a student from RN-BA/BS to BSN. The problem is that every university wants you to spend a least 30-38 hours at their facility taking (and paying for) their credits before they will issue a degree (one can understand why). Therefore, it's advisable not to spend the time, money, and effort to get the BSN if you already have an RN and a BA or BS in another field. For those of you who are already Master's prepared, it's again probably not feasible to spend the time and $ to get another advanced degree unless you want to teach. Many university hospitals, the VA, and others recognize Master's degrees in other fields, particularly if they are health care related. Other hospitals are changing their policies to reflect an RN who is Bachelor prepared (assuming the same upper level nursing courses have been taken). That means, you can have a BA in psychology, take an accredited Associates program in Nursing, and then just take the upper level nursing courses (there are only usuallly 3 classes), and they will honor the BA or BS degree along with your RN and your associates as a BSN. Times are changing and the nursing field is slow to catch up with the rest of Academia but it's happening slowly. Consider why you want the BSN. If it is a hopsital requirement, if you delve further, they usually are looking for Bachelor prepared professionals, not always strictly a BSN. I do know that RNs with Master's degrees in other fields cannot teach at accredited schools of nursing at this time HOWEVER, there is discussion of that changing, particularly if the degree is in a related health care field such as Radiology, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, etc. There are a lot of "cross-disciplinary" RNs out there now who have degrees from other health care fields along with their RN degrees. Hang in there. Times are changing. On line programs are being created every month to tailor a solution for everyone. The most important thing is to make sure you have the same upper and lower division NURSING classes as a BSN prepared nurse. If you have that, you'll be well positioned.

King Cody, I say....step in to your AUTHENTIC self. Whatever that is. People will only see your competence and will immediately be grateful if you help them get well. If people don't understand you then there is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate how cool it is to let different people in to your reality. I say...follow your dreams. Step in to your authentic reality. Be who you are. Other people do not matter. Just follow your heart. John in New Mexico

Very good advice! Excellent.

Que Bueno! QUERER ES PODER, no? I have many Cuban friends. I love CUBA!!!! I am very proud of you. My name is John. I live in New Mexico but I am from Atlanta and I had many Cuban friends there. They are VERY good people. Have you seen Fareinheit 911? The Cuban people were very good to the sick people from New York City. John (Juanito)

I am going to start believing RIGHT NOW that things start getting MUCH better for you. We can all be REVERSE PARANOIDS. That means we believe that the universe is CONSPIRING to do GOOD things for us. You give good care to your clients. That has generated a pretty good chunk of good Karma for you. Ask for it. Have you asked for what you want? Take a few minutes, sit down in a comfy chair at home and think about WHAT IT IS YOU REALLY WANT. Is it a new job? Is it something different? VISUALIZE what is is you want and then ask for it. PULL IT IN TO YOUR REALITY.

I'd eat dog food right out of the can before I'd stay at a place like that. I agree with the previous post. Sprout a pair, stand up for yourself, or get the Heck out of there. It sounds like a bad soap opera. Seriously, start looking for another job, you'll find one. This one stinks. Sounds like you hate it. LIFE IS TOO SHORT.

Look. Life is just way too short for that kind of immature nonsense. I doubt anyone in administration said "shut up or you'll be dismissed". If they have, try to document it covertly and then go to administration with your concerns and tell them if things don't improve you will file a complaint with the Joint Review. There are laws that protect both nurses and whistle blowers. If you can document cases of how a pt. was neglected due to the short staffing policies, and also document their failure to hear staff concerns you will have a compelling case. May I give you some advice? Stop whining about it and sprout some gonads. Crying yourself to sleep isn't going to change a thing. If you are indeed a great nurse and give great care then continue to do so but denying yourself breaks and working yourself to death while others relax is martydom. You bring it upon yourself. Do your work. Take good care of your patients, TAKE YOUR BREAKS, work your shifts, go home and shake it all off. If you find that it's getting too much to bear then LEAVE. It's your life. You owe it to yourself to be self actualized. It sounds to me that you're an excellent nurse so I am sure you'll find an awesome job. Come on, challenge your own paradigms about yourself. Stop being a shrinking violet. YOU CAN DO THIS! STEP UP or STEP ASIDE! We are all here to support you. If the administration continues to run people into the ground then you need to do all you can to stop it, OR.........just leave.and file a complaint with the Board of Nursing. They don't have broad regulatory powers but they do have influence. I'd also consider filing a complaint with the Joint Review Commission or with your State Health Regulatory Body. Bottom line is that you need to advocate for yourself. I think you'd do well in Home Health and they do pay well. Don't sell yourself out. I wouldn't work in a place like that, why should you? Stop crying. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and tap in to your PERSONAL POWER. YOU CAN DO THIS.

I think you are TOTALLY cool for being so honest with yourself. BRAVO! Look, none of us are on this planet for very long so I say....enjoy the ride. The most important thing is that you live an AUTHENTIC life. If you feel like nursing is not your thing then I say you should quit and take some time off and do something you love! There is NO SHAME in not persuing something that doesn't resonate with you. Your family, friends, and loved ones will understand. Screw what people think anyway. I say..........do what you want to do.........it's your life! And BRAVO for being so honest! (I like your style) John New Mexico

I am so sorry to hear about your son. I have heard that is the worst loss a human being can experience. Don't worry, you'll see him again on the other side. I wish you well and I applaud your courage. John

Brother.....why do you care what other people think about nurses, male of female. Hold your head up high and dare others to go where you have gone! Bravo for following your dreams. Be proud of who YOU are, whatever that is, and live a genuine life. Everything else is someone else's hangup, not yours! Meantime, ENJOY all of the eligible females surrounding you. More straight dudes would mean more competition! Go for it!

"straight shooters?" What's your point here brother? Why do you care what other dudes are in to? Focus on being the best you can in your career and why ARE YOU EVEN THINKING about the other dudes in your class??????? You need to "shoot straight" and focus on your studies and stop thinking about the sexuality of the other men in your class. That's just WRONG dude. Totally WRONG.

I live in New Mexico, do they let out of state students take online classes? I can't find it on the web page for the school system.

Folks, I live in New Mexico and there are only a handful of schools that offer Microbiology here and they've already filled up the classes I need that don't conflict with my Nursing courses. Does anyone know of any national school that has a totally online Microbiology component? John Colangelo Any help would be appreciated!

So you made a mistake. It is regretable but it happens. The enivornment to report a medication error is supposed to be one without retriburion. It should be a safe place for us to go if and when we make a medication error. The PROCESS should be investigated to see if something could have been done to prevent this. Hold your head up high, you made a mistake. Let he/she without any sin cast the first stone!:redbeathe I suspect you'll NEVER make this mistake again and the patient was not harmed. I would look for proactive ways to help other nurses from making this same mistake. Don't worry, if this was your first time and if you've admitted to the error and you're trying to discover how to prevent it in the future, it's all good! Hang in there sister. We are here to support you! :redbeathe John in New Mexico

WOW! I would love to meet you sometime and pick your brain and just interview you. Sounds fascinating!!!!!! I cannot wait till this summer when I graduate. I am applying at Pres to be a Nurse Extern, hope I get accepted!