RN wants BSN but not in medical

[robertharvey58]

I received my associates degree several years ago and have debating about the BSN. The thing is, I really have no desire to be a bedside RN. It seems the ONLY way to get my BSN would be to follow the medical path or lose most of the schooling I have done up to this point. I have been looking for some type of "hybrid" type of program that might take the schooling I have done and kind of mesh it with a program for business or something. I cannot find anything. This has been an aggravation with nursing as when you start down that path there is very little you can do to get out of medical if you decide it isn't for you. You have to continue your education in medicine or lose most of the time and money you spent for it. Unless I am mistaken. Any advice??

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

if you live in a big enough city you might find work in research, labs, etc. Medical technologist require baccalaureate degree. You might talk to your school advisor to see if there are any leads. Another resource is Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). This is a non-profit financed thru the Dept of Health. The one in my area has a book on job opportunities for the region, along with education requirements. All info is free

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I'm not exactly sure what you're discussing, but if you mean all nursing basic education covers roughly the same ground, you are correct. There's a reason for that. BSN is still considered an entry-level educational preparation. You can always take distribution requirements or extra coursework in business or education or botany or whatever else suits you.

If you don't want to do bedside work (which is what I think you mean by "medical," and do correct me if I'm wrong), you can do a number of interesting things with a BSN (school nursing, public health (many options), research assistant, medical/pharmaceutical sales, cardiopulmonary rehab, certified diabetic educator, certified lactation consultant, Medicare fraud examiner, legal nurse consultant, case manager--this is just a tiny list of the possibilities). Some of those optional courses may assist you in getting into one.

Your horizons will widen even more with a MN depending on what you think you'd like to specialize in, as the MN is not a generic degree. Or take an MBA or MHA or CAGS or something else.

Can you clarify your thinking on this a bit?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I received my associates degree several years ago and have debating about the BSN. The thing is, I really have no desire to be a bedside RN. It seems the ONLY way to get my BSN would be to follow the medical path or lose most of the schooling I have done up to this point. I have been looking for some type of "hybrid" type of program that might take the schooling I have done and kind of mesh it with a program for business or something. I cannot find anything. This has been an aggravation with nursing as when you start down that path there is very little you can do to get out of medical if you decide it isn't for you. You have to continue your education in medicine or lose most of the time and money you spent for it. Unless I am mistaken. Any advice??

If I understand your question correctly -- yes, nursing education "takes up" the vast majority of degree credits and leaves very little room for electives. This is necessary to meet the requirements for licensure including clinical time sufficient to meet the requirements of the state board of nursing.

I suppose a minor, or dual major, is possible but be aware -- the time demands of your nursing education will drive the other component -- not the other way around.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Remember, the words "medical" and "nursing" are not interchangeable.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

What about licensed social worker? There are a number of RN-LICSW courses of study. Or a degree in health care administration.

It is still health care, but not clinical health care (meaning bedside health care).