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Thank you for the article. With the critical care experience I'm getting now and my renewed desire to move into working in women and babies health, the increased knowledge and skill will help me be much more effective in helping those communities where public health nurses are vital.

I enjoyed your story. I avoid wearing my ID and scrubs outside of the hospital just for those similar reasons you and others have made. Keep writing.

I just did a quick online search: http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/masters-in-nursing/pennsylvania/ Go through each school listed in PA and talk to the director of each program to help guide you in your decision. I'm not sure about online schooling.

My vote is for the BSN. I'm not in Cali, but I'm in the NE and they want BSNs, which was the deciding factor for me. The nurses where I do my clinicals are back in school for their BSN as their hospital are hiring BSNs only. Also I want to add that there ARE hospitals that are paying for their employees to go back to school. They are called reimbursement programs. There are also programs that are paying for Nursing students tuition in exchange for their 2 year commitment. This may not be available in every state, but there are in mine.

The are ADN-to-MSN programs. There are some that are offered in my area, so if you decide to take the ADN route, that could also be an option in the future.

Having an MSN/BSN/ADN are degrees and not licenses. Having an RN means you are licensed to practice. You have several options on what you want to do. I have my B.A. as well and decided to take the accelerated BSN route. Other career changes have decided to take the ADN route. You also have the option to go into an entry-level MSN program. This is offered to those with a non-nursing degree. But, this route is more expensive, including if you decided to take the ABSN route. This is why people have decided to obtain their ADN first. Start looking for ABSN/ADN/EL-MSN programs in your area and start comparing prerequisites needed, length of program, as well as cost so it could give you a better idea on which road you want to take.

I had no idea an FNP could work as a First Assist. I'm currently in a BSN program and had my first experience in an Endo rotation. I really enjoyed the surgery and now has got me thinking about the possibilities of OR in the future, but thought my goal of being an FNP would be dashed if I wanted to work in the OR.

I can't speak for all programs, but your B.S. in business won't count towards anything in nursing. I have a couple of MBAs in my class and it just helped them maintain a good work ethic. However, once you've settled on a program and have looked at their requirements, you may have the option to "test out" of some of those requirements, such as psych and sociology, unless you've already taken them. They usually last about 10 years. I completely understand your reasoning and do think you should still work while pursing this goal. Hopefully someone will chime in regarding CNA training.

OP, your plan of going to nursing school so you can work part-time to pay for your engineering school is ridiculous. You're better off working as a bank teller than using nursing as your stepping stone to engineering.

OP, thanks for your honesty. I lol at it! I'm a career changer too, and if I didn't have a desire to care for the sick or dying, nursing would not be a thought. You have already made the decision to go into Nursing School, so at this point I would encourage you to go into nursing administration, education, or nursing informatics. You don't need to be religious to be a great nurse, but empathy is important. I kinda don't want to see any threads you've created about the difficulties you're having with caring for patients or how the pay isn't what you expected. I think people (including me) would reference this thread. Good luck!

leenak: Some career changes I've seen on here have actually went straight into obtaining their NP. I know myself, and I have no experience working in the healthcare field, so it only made sense for me to get the BSN and work in the field and make sure the NP route is definitely the best step I want to take. I've also debated this with some students in my program, as some want to go straight into a BSN-DNP program after graduation! When I first decided to go back to school, I initially wanted to be a PNP, but friends of mine who are nurses said I would be more marketable as an FNP. My peds & OB rotation isn't until the Fall semester, but some nurses also said they all wanted to do peds, until their clinical rotation and the experience changed their minds. Again, I won't know for sure until I get there, but I promise to have an open mind. The John Hopkins route sounds like a good deal. Definitely something for you to strongly think about. Wish you luck in your decision.

I'm currently a UMDNJ student. During my clinical rotations the nurses who find out we are BSN students start sharing that having a BSN will help you as their hospitals are only hiring BSNs. Yes the tri-state area is hard on new grads finding a job, but I'm ready to leave the area. Some of us are actualy looking to go to Texas because of the many hospital jobs down there. I'll see what my options are after graduation. If nursing is really what you want to do, then go for it. The job situation hasn't stopped me. With my years of experience in business, I'm use to working long hours for little pay and recognition and use to the back stabbing, so I should fit right in.

RN... I initially was going to do the LPN till my aunt gave me the run down. Where I'm located, which is the NE, I'm grateful for the decision I've made to do the RN over the LPN. Congrats!

Hi and welcome. I have a non-nursing degree and want to become an NP as well. The route I've decided to take is a BSN first, start work as an RN to gain experience, then after 1-2 years go back for the NP to specialize as a Family NP or something else. I'm also looking for my employer to pay for this degree. Now, currently I'm in an accelerated BSN which is 15 months long. I graduate next year. You can also look into these types of programs as well. The Direct Entry MSN programs don't require you to be an RN. People who are RNs and want to obtain their MSN goes through a different program. There are factors you need to consider, such as money and time spent in these programs. ABSNs and DE-MSN programs are expensive, which is why some career changers opt to get their ASN at a 2 year community college instead. I chose the BSN route because in my area the hospitals are hiring BSNs only. This is not the current issue in all states. So, as difficult it already is to get a job, I'll be setting myself further back with an ASN. Also, you want to consider experience. Although you want to be a Womens Health NP, you may want to think about the possibility of working as an RN to help you more in the role as an NP. You might also find something else you might love to do in the future just by going to clinicals. I was at clinical last week and had the opportunity to view an operation and to see the nurses at work assisting the doctor. Just by that one experience, I'm now entertaining the thought of having a future in the O.R. because I enjoyed that rotation. I was set on being an FNP, but I decided to be open and allow my clinical experiences to guide me. I want to add, go lurk around the NP forum on here and read through some of the postings for inspiration (I do that a lot). If you have any questions as well, there are regular NPs in there that will help you. I enjoy the tone in the NP forum.

Thank you for sharing, this gives me hope as a Nursing Student. God has showed you favor and I know he'll do the same for me.