kcolver

I have a BSN and an MPH, currently licensed, and working as a Nurse Educator.

Hello Fellow Nurses, I am currently in a PhD in Nursing program, but I am realizing that I am more interested in teaching and in nursing practice instead of research. A DNP program may be a better fit, but I need a program that allows for a masters degree that is not a MSN (I have a masters in public health- MPH). I like the flexibility of an online program, but I am a bit worried if it will be taken seriously for faculty teaching roles in the future. I would love some recommendations! Thanks!

I am also a second career person and nursing is my third degree. I chose nursing because there are so many other opportunities with that degree besides bedside nursing. I only have a little more than six months experience doing bedside nursing. My first five months were really hard and I could tell I was not a good fit where I was. There wasn't any way I was going to be able to stick it out for a year. I applied somewhere else doing the same speciality and I love it! I realized that I just didn't like the high level of acuity nor the negative environment of my old hospital. The good thing is that you currently have a job so finding another one is easier than to try to get a job while unemployed. There are many ideas listed above of other options in nursing. The good thing about what you are doing with getting bedside experience is that when you possibly find a future job in nurse management or infomatics, you have a frame of reference. In the past, I worked with MDs and nurses but I found that because I didn't have a nursing degree or bedside experience, I wasn't as respected as part of the team. You will have that experience and understand better what happens on the "front line" so you will be able to make better choices if you work on the business side of the medical field. In the meantime, get your BSN and don't quit without having another job to go to. Also join a professional organization for your field (or at least ANA) and go to the meetings or conferences to network. Many jobs open-up that way... Good luck!

I just took the exit HESI and got a very high score (1172). It was really heavy on Med/Surg and Fundamentals. Also review end-of-life and documents (advance directives, living wills, DNRs). In two days, I skimmed the HESI prep book and wrote down each Med/Surg topic and only ONE line of key words I needed to know about it. Then did comprehensive questions in HESI and Saunders the day before the test. Also, if you are taking the 160 question exit HESI, then take at least one break! Your brain goes fuzzy and you stop really reading the questions. The break with a snack, stretch, and bathroom can help regain focus again. Good luck!

I am wondering if anyone can give some advice. I am just about to graduate with a BSN and I am interested in working in Labor and Delivery. I have some job offers to consider and I am having trouble deciding between them. Can anyone give their perspective on Memorial Hermann The Medical Center, Harris Health, or starting in a community hospital onside of Houston (and only 10 min from my house). It seems that my choices are jump in the deep-end in high-risk L and D right out of nursing school and then know I can take those skills anywhere, or to stay close to home in a much less stressful but also less exposure to a variety of experiences. Personality-wise I can handle pressure and like challenge, but I am also tired of commuting over and hour away and I have young children. Any advice?