Princessluvv

I graduated with a Nutrition B.S. degree and currently work in a community program. I was not interested in the internship, because I wanted to get into the field as soon as I graduated. Boy am I glad that I did that. I make the same amount of money as the RD's at my local hospital and the ones that I work with. Everyone is right about the lack of jobs for RDs (especially where I live), but I guess it depends where you go. The downside to my job is that it lacks the hands on experience and its extremely repetitive. Because it is community work, I already know how my week will be, which is not always fullfilling. I am a licensed CNA as well and I recently got accepted to a nursing program. Not only will I be more fullfilled going this route, but I will more likely make more money. Whatever you chose, consider everything involved.

Hi Sunray12 I didn't realize that it would be considered to be a step down to get my ADN. The school that offers a BSN program closest to me requires that I sign a 3 year contract with a specific hospital. Do my credits expire if I chose to do it later in a BSN program? I have much to consider and its a decision that is truly difficult to make.

I understand what you are saying, but I'm not an RD. So the idea for working within a hospital in a dialysis unit is not realistic for me. Besides, pediatrics or L&D are my biggest interests. Currently, my loans are not out of hand and i have been paying them while have been in school, but I am nervous to add more. Also, because it is an ADN program, it is easier for me to pay out of pocket. I also forgot to mention that I am a CNA, so to some degree I understand what is expected of me. Also Blood, stool, and other fluids are things that I can handle. In addition, I know nursing is not less complex than engineering, I was implying that it was difficult within its own field. Thank you guys for all your comments.

ok here is my dilemma.. i have my bs in nutrition and will receive my masters in public health this august. i have been working as a nutritionist for 2.5 years in a public health program. as a nutritionist, i counsel pregnant and postpartum women along with their children on the importance of eating healthy foods and routine physical activity. there isn't much room for growth as far as the clinical aspect of a patients care. if you are familiar with the wic program, it is pretty much a routine operation where people receive vouchers to obtain food. i do like my job, but i feel like there is something missing. i recently got accepted into an adn program and would begin this fall. i already completed my prereqs. through my undergraduate program so the only classes i would be taking would be in nursing. i have been reading the allnurses forum for a several weeks to gain insight. i even went to the library to check out "nursing against the odds" and am half-way completed with the book. i have even asked nurses who no longer work in the hospital what their thoughts were on my situation. some are excited for me, while others give me a beware look. although i have learned a great deal about the nursing profession and think that its a great field despite the negativity involved, i'm scared to leave this same-ole same-ole profession because of the economy. it has security here, but one day we plan to move and this job my not be so secure. wic may be a federal/state program but each state has there rules and salaries. you may get paid 37,000 in one place and then move and get 29,000 (even if you have your rd). the complexing issue is the fact that if i dont go to nursing school now, then my prereqs expire and i would have to retake all of these classes all over again. who wants to do that??? my fiance and i will be getting married in february and we don't have any children at this moment so it seems like it would be slightly easier to handle nursing school. he doesn't mind me going through with the adn program, however, he has voiced to me that he wants to finish school and that there is a possibility he would not be able to work fulltime because the engineering program is rigorous. how would we make it? financial aid, loans and part-time jobs? it's a good thing we downsized to an apartment and are saving money. i think nursing is a great field and i think that i would be good at it. i also think that i would be able to more well-rounded in the healthcare field by combining my public health background with the clinical aspects of nursing.....so tell what me what would you do in this situation?

What are the main three reasons why you would like to become a nurse?

Wow!! I can totally relate to your situation. I start my nursing program Fall 09 and don't really know how I'm going to work with clinicals. Although I will only be taking Nursing classes, because I finished my pre-reqs, it is still difficult to leave my job. It pays pretty good and I like my job, but I have always had a desire to be a nurse. I figured that its now or never, especially when my pre-reqs. will expire next year to enter a nursing program. Anyway... I'm rambling... I think you should write your letter as professional as possible. I know you are close to your boss, but I think it is the best practice. By the way, Congrats to getting into nursing school!

Got my BS in Nutrition at 23 Getting My Masters in Public Health (Aug 8, 2009) at 26 Starting ADN Program (Aug 24, 2009) at 26 Should finish Nursing school by age 28.

It's crazy how nursing can make you sacrifice so much. I begin my nursing program in Fall 09 and I am nervous, but yet excited to start this adventure. Im scared that my job will not be flexible with my schooling by decreasing my hours at my stable good paying job (I haven't quite told them yet), and I will be living off of my soon-to-be husband and some loans. To prepare for the change, my fiance and I have downsized from house (it was a rent-to-own that is too expensive to purchase) to apartment and I am saving what I can from these paychecks. Judging from the previous posts, I will also be super tired. But, if things are still working out for you then I have faith that things will work out for me too!