healtheducator

Don't get too excited about my post yet - I do not live in NC. However, I plan to one day - my (and my husband's) "thing" is hiking and nature. Our last two vacations were spent hiking near Boone and we LOVE the mountains! I would call some of the hospitals around there and ask your questions. You can also look on major job search engines such as Monster and Careerbuilder for positions in the Asheville area, and there is always information available from the city's chamber of commerce (on-line also). I would definitely check out http://www.citizen-times.com, an Ashville paper, not only as a resource, but to see the devastation Ivan left behind! :-(

Hello, I am new to the forum and am hoping someone out there has some career advice for me. Let me tell you a little of my background. I started my career in the health field by first obtaining a Dental Assistant diploma. I soon realized the occupation was much too narrow for my many interests and became an LPN. After years in psych, working with dementia patients etc. I was "burned out" so I switched to office nursing. Still unhappy I knew I enjoyed teaching and taught medical and dental assisting at proprietary colleges with much happiness, but very little pay. Obtained a BS in Health Science with a minor in management - no jobs - back to school. I now am currently completing my Masters degree in Community & Environmental Health with a duel emphasis in Health Education /Promotion and Administration. I know this is where I am happy, but again - no jobs! The hospitals with health education positions available won't even look at someone without an RN, many public health positions require an RN, and in order to teach nursing at the collegiate level one must have their RN also. I've been encouraged to seek my PhD, but two of my past professors are now roaming the country with their resumes and I don't wish to commit to 4 more years of school with little advantage. I have NO desire to narrow my career choices any further and am "almost" committed to going for my RN but... Sure, there are PLENTY of nursing positions out there, but I will not be working in a clinical setting (physically I cannot be a floor nurse). Are there really that many jobs waiting for me in management, community health, teaching?? The questions that come up are (and if you think of any more, please voice them). Is an RN degree enough? Is an RN degree without much RN clinical experience enough? Would an RN only be a stepping-stone because I would need to have a BSN? Is this a good idea to get my RN or BSN or just more time and education? I know I won't go the traditional route and am looking into distance programs. Have any of you heard of Indiana State University distance LPN to BSN program? Please help me if you can I need advice and just can't afford to make any more career "mistakes!!" THANK YOU ALL

D Do you need a Masters in Nursing or is in another health field okay, say, Health Education?