squirt2008

In MO a BSN is not required to work in Public Health. I have been a RN for over 20 years, I worked 15 in hospital setting. I am grateful for the clinical experience and I feel it helps me in what I do now (I am a communicable disease RN). I am from the school of thought that clinical experience is good to have no matter what line of nursing you want to end up in......I adore what I do now, I hope to be in Public Health until I retire. I am starting back in school in January to get my Bach. Degree in Health Management because I know I cannot advance without the degree. Best of luck to you!

Well, that shows that it does vary from state to state. I am the senior Communicable Disease RN here at my health dept. and I have my associates=RN. We have a NP that runs the STD clinic with an associates/RN under her. The RN's that do daycare classes etc are a mix of BSN and associate degrees. So you need to check with your health departments to see what education is required.

I agree that it is a good idea to work in hospital/clinical setting to build clinical skills.....however.....it sounds like you should consider working in a local public health agency...you know....a health department. We offer immunization clinic, STD testing and treatment, education, communicable disease investigation. There are lots of opportunities to teach...that is for sure! Good luck.

I agree with previous posts for the most part. You must let that kind of stuff run off your back...... I am not saying allow someone to walk over you and be rude, but in our profession stress is always present. The ICU RN could have just lost a patient or possibly been yelled at herself from someone else....I would say that kind of experience is the exception rather than the rule. I have been in the biz for 20 ish years and I am proud to say that my experiences have mostly been about us RN's working together! Hang in there.

I know this has been asked several times...I can only go from my experience...hospitals here hire ADN, new grads. I feel you need your BSN to advance down the road if that is what you want to do, but I was able to land a job right away at one of our Childrens hospitals straight out of school as a new RN with my ADN. It is all about location as well. Jobs are plentiful here (Missouri) but I hear places out West have few openings. Good luck!

You are correct. use a filter needle when drawing from glass ampoule, then change needles before administering. I think they should add a 5th "right" when admin. meds....now we know about right patient, right dose, right med, right time, right route......we should have right technique.

i agree with previous posts. being a bedside rn during end of life or other tough times is such a big responsibility. you are not only supporting the patient and being their advocate, but you are supporting the family, friends and loved ones of the patient. just the act of "being there" is so critical, listening more than talking, and of course being respectful of their views and wishes. somehow you will find the right words to say during those times. never be afraid to call a md if you feel the patient is in pain or discomfort. it is important to stay strong and not "fall apart" but i know from experience that patients and their families also appreciate it when you are "human" and show emotions when appropriate.

Rojas3...........Good luck to you! you won't regret your career choice!

Similar story here...I was in Pediatric ICU for nearly 15 years and then came to my Local Public Health Agency! I love it! We don't provide health services like many others do....we have WIC, immunization clinic, STD, education, environmental, and my department....communicable disease investigation. I work M-F 8-5. No weekends, no holidays. I love (most) all of the clients we serve, ha. Every day is something new and I feel like I am doing something GOOD>

Okay, a little confused here.....I have been a Nurse for nearly 20 years.....a RN...and I have my associates degree. So just to clarify, when you graduate from an associate degree program you are a registered nurse. As mentioned, I have been a RN for a while...in hindsight I wish I would have gotten my BSN at that time.....you will need it to advance in many cases. AND it is much tougher to go to school once you get married, have kids....etc....

Just speaking from my experience here in Missouri...the hospital I used to work for WOULD hire new grads. I just did a quick job search for RN positions available within 50 miles of me......there were over 1000 jobs! That was just one search! I am seeing that it is "LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION"! I feel for my fellow Nurses out West...seems that jobs are few and far between! Best of luck to all of you looking for a job!

I recently participated in a webinar on Workforce Nursing Shortage and some of the #'s were staggering. For example: A very large # of RNs will be retiring due to baby boomers. 900,000 of the 2.5M RN's are >50 yrs old. 64% of the RN's are hospital based. They estimate a shortage of >800,000 RNs by 2020. WOW! I am in public health and I know that is a field that is often forgotten about. I worked in hospital setting for over 15 years, I can tell you....I love being a public health RN. The demand for public health RNs will continue to rise.....so consider it as another possible area of specialty.

I completely agree with previous posts.......you cannot toss out hopes of becoming a Nurse based on one experience at home. Totally different when you are at work, dealing with patients vs. dealing with stuff at home. I have been a RN for over 19 years.....yet.....I feel like a dummy when my kids get sick, injured, etc.......

mamanurse......I too love my 'non bed-side' position now! I am in the public health arena and adore it! However, I am sooo glad I have all those experiences from the hospital. I really love this site, especially when people get their panties in a knot! ha ha......claws out! Oh my, and the comment about not getting into a battle of the wits with an unarmed person.......funny stuff! Love ya all!:redpinkhe

:hdvwl:Oh my! I have seen big ole' gals and guys that use improper body mechanics and cannot safely transfer a patient and I have seen itsy bitsy staff members who can transfer patients all day long using the proper procedure and body mechanics. Size truely does not matter! ha