RN or BSN - changing careers - need HELP!

kato44 · Jul 18, 2006

Hello,

I am seriously thinking about changing careers in the very near future. I currently hold a BA in English and have been teachign high school for 7 years. I have a million questions about the nursing profession but can't seem to find any answers to my specific questions on any one website.

Here goes:

1.) RN or BSN? I am teaching full-time this coming shcool year; we MIGHT be able to afford for me to go back full-time next year, but I don't have my pre-req's done. I am hopeing to get pregnant this year so I can't go to school for pre-req's, teach full-time AND be pregnant. I just don't knwow if I can afford to go back for THREE YEARS full-time and not work at all - if I can get part-time teachign then great, but aren't most programs full-time? Advice?

2.) I live in teh San Francisco Bay Area and am not sure what nursing schools are reputable or which ones I can do part-time, at night, weekends, etc.

3.) The profession: I want to become a surgical nurse if anything (with options to change at some point). I'm loving the idea of working in an ER (I need lots of stimulation in a job) but really want surgery - would I specialize in surgery? What about obtaining a specialty in nurse antesthesiology? How difficult is that to do (in terms of money and time)?

4.) What is the "deal" when you finally are done with school and start working? Do most people work in a hospital first? Would I just be changing bedpans the entire time if my specialty was surgery? HOw long do you have to "pay your dues"? (Forgive me, I'm a teacher in CA and have "paid my dues" every time I"ve moved - my husband is Coast Guard).

5.) Is there anything specific I need to look for when applying to a program if we may move during my schooling?

6.) If I just do the RN (ADN is that the same?) then what would I be doing in a an actual job?

I have a great deal of information, but nothing that I can put my fingers on to answer these specific questions. I figured that people who have been through it would be best fit to answer! Thank you!:spin: