GraceXOBoards

I definitely think I'd like that setting, and only because I loved that area when I was an EMT. I'd even like to get involved in working overseas. Thank you for the support. I'm shadowing a nurse in a Cath Lab tomorrow. Have been reading up on what's done. I'm just digging all of this. First time since I was full-time reporting and editing that I've been this excited about learning. It's a good feeling.

caitiecait, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. This is exactly the type of feedback I need. I don't know anyone in the industry, so it's nice to have this forum. I feel like I have a new family already.

One more thought - not that I'm trying to be greedy, but if/when I begin teaching, will my income considerably drop?

I'm 46 and just beginning my prerequisites next week. I plan to apply for a 2010 nursing program. I have a B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in English. My only medical experience is as an EMT ten years ago. I'm struggling mightily with whether to apply for the Accelerated BSN or tackle the Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner program. If my long-term goal is to teach, I think I should learn as much as possible through the N.P. program and then spend a decade or so as an R.N. learning a few (or broad?) specialties. Can I teach with an MSN or will I need a BSN as well? Also, are there any N.P.s out there that would have stayed an R.N. in hindsight? I want to learn as much as I can, which makes the N.P. program so appealing. But, I don't want to waste that degree either.

I'm 46 and just beginning my prerequisites next week. I plan to apply for a 2010 nursing program. I have a B.A. and an M.A. in English. My only medical experience was an EMT ten years ago. I'm struggling mightily with whether to apply for the Accelerated BSN or tackle the Direct Entry Nurse Practitioner program. I am trying to find sites or threads that discuss what types of positions an NP would do if they working in a community clinic or physician's office isn't the goal. For that matter, I'm struggling finding sites that explain in good detail what the differences are between an N.P. and R.N. Also, are there any N.P.s out there that would rather just be an R.N. at this point?