Prospective male nurse...

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Ok, so here's the deal. I finished a Bachelors in Business Administration a year and a half ago and got a great job as an administrative resident at a large healthcare system. I actually enjoyed the sciences the most in high school. My business degree came from either not knowing what to do with my life, laziness, or both :). I've been pretty bored in an office setting, but I've stuck with it because the residency pays for my MBA, which I am pursuing with night classes. In my time as a resident, i've rubbed shoulders with clinicians quite a bit, and my respect for them and what they do continues to grow. I envy the tangible technical skills they possess, the ability to help others, the ACTION (especially in the ED), and the three day work week! LOL. Plus I know that if I eventually decide to do admin, an RN will only help me.

So, I'm struggling with a decision to abandon an outstanding, successful, financially secure career to go back to school. Ugh. I'm not all that unfamiliar with the medical professions. Besides working in a hospital for the last year and change, I have many RN friends, my mother is a CRNA, two physician uncles, and my sister is in medical school.

I guess what I'm asking is what is the best way to do my due diligence? How can i best find out the best and worst, the opportunities and shortcomings of nursing? Would going to work with my friends be the most effective?

Ok, i'm done rambling. Any advice is welcome! and thanks!

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Go into the family business

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.

IMHO, you can start your nursing inquiry via your family. Your mom is an CRNA, which she was most likely a Med/Surg RN, then ICU RN, before applying to CRNA program. You have two uncles that are MDs that can give you their perspective of the healthcare profession. Plus, you have a sister in medical school.

Go talk to a counselor at the nearest college that has an accelerated MSN program. I know the University of Texas, at Austin, nursing program has an option for those already with a Bachelors degree [non-nursing related] that can advance quickly through their MSN program. I'd imagine this option is available elsewhere, too.

You can also post up questions here on the Male Nursing Forum, too. ;)

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I think you're hooked. Although it is good to explore nursing.

Nursing can be a tough demanding field. You have to deal with poop, vomit and pee. But it also offers the same benefits you are wanting to hold onto.

Good luck.

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I think you're hooked. Although it is good to explore nursing.

Nursiung can be a tough demanding field. You have to deal with poop, vomit and pee. But it also offers the same benefits you are wanting to hold onto.

Good luck.

You didn't warn him about the toads, Tweety. (still lmao about that - even funnier when the kid asked what you meant by it in that "wrong reasons?" thread...)

Seriously, Stagg, sounds like you ARE hooked. Some universities offer accelerated BSN programs for those who already have a BA/BS if you do decide to go for it - as for the due dilligence, ask about observing in different parts of the hospital... and salaries are important, too, unfortunately.

As much as I LOVE what I do, I wouldn't quit a six figure job to make half that much working on a med-surg floor.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
... Some universities offer accelerated BSN programs for those who already have a BA/BS if you do decide to go for it - ...

Do you mean accelerated MSN programs? ;)

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Thanks for the responses... I'm going to have to go find that thread to find out what the "toads" are :)

I've spent enough time on a med/surg unit to know I don't want to do that - maybe for 6 months to get a first hand look - but i'm thinking ED/ICU and maybe eventually CRNA, but that would kind of wipe out the benefits of an MBA... oh well.

I'll keep checkin back for the words of wisdom. Thanks again.

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Do you mean accelerated MSN programs? ;)

Actually, no, this is to get a BSN for someone who already has a four year degree in a non-healthcare field. I'm not sure about how they work the master's program...

I see what you're getting at, but Stagg would need a BSN before the MSN, was my point - no idea if he's around an institution that offers that or not (UNF in Jacksonville is the school I'm referring to.)

Here's a link, even. http://www.unf.edu/brooks/cohbsna.htm

Cheers!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Actually, no, this is to get a BSN for someone who already has a four year degree in a non-healthcare field. I'm not sure about how they work the master's program...

I see what you're getting at, but Stagg would need a BSN before the MSN, was my point - no idea if he's around an institution that offers that or not (UNF in Jacksonville is the school I'm referring to.)

Here's a link, even. http://www.unf.edu/brooks/cohbsna.htm

Cheers!

Well, this is how they [uT, Austin] work the Alternate Entry MSN program...

The University of Texas, at Austin, School of Nursing has an accelerated program for MSN specifically designed for those applicants that already have four year degree in a non-healthcare field. I knew someone that did this program. In fact, once she achieved BSN level in this program she took the NCLEX, passed, and was able to start working. She continued in the MSN program while working as an RN.

Here's a link, even ;)

Alternate Entry (AE) track leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is designed for persons who hold bachelor's or higher degrees in disciplines other than nursing.

:beer:

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There's a BSN "level"? Okay, cool, I don't want to get into a pissing contest, and the link seems to spell out the pre-reqs and everything... I just thought it was impossible for someone without an ADN or BSN to get an MSN.

Does that seem right?

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
There's a BSN "level"? Okay, cool, I don't want to get into a pissing contest, and the link seems to spell out the pre-reqs and everything... I just thought it was impossible for someone without an ADN or BSN to get an MSN.

Does that seem right?

It is my understanding [uT Austin AE Track MSN Program] once the BSN level is achieved this equals a BSN degree, yet the student keeps going in the program until MSN program completed. As I mentioned earlier, at the BSN level [must mean BSN degree level achieved] the student in this program can take the NCLEX... before completing the MSN program.

No pissing contest disclaimer required ... its' all good ;)

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It is my understanding [uT Austin AE Track MSN Program] once the BSN level is achieved this equals a BSN degree, yet the student keeps going in the program until MSN program completed. As I mentioned earlier, at the BSN level [must mean BSN degree level achieved] the student in this program can take the NCLEX... before completing the MSN program.

No pissing contest disclaimer required ... its' all good ;)

Thanks for not requiring a disclaimer - I've been in some serious "contests" on other threads, mostly political - and it's got my BP up, and feeling testy.

I guess the programs vary from school to school... not sure if UNF offers the same deal.

To go totally off-topic (for just a sec) how about that new C6 Z06 Vette? I drive an EVO now, and love it, but for a guy on the high side of 30, it's a little too... fast and furious looking, with the wing and all. I WILL own one of the new Z06s eventually. What an awesome car.

Shoot me a PM and tell me what kind of Vette you're driving, so this thread doesn't go off track. (pun intended)

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