Second degree

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Hi so I'm about to graduate college with a 2.8 GPA, and a degree in international relations. My dream is to help people medically overseas. With my GPA would it be best to get an associates degree or is there an accelerated program that I could get into. I took a college level anatomy in high school and did quite well, but besides that I have no college level science background.

Also any other ideas of how I could get into the medical field? right now the most I'm willing to go to school is four years.

Finally, I'm willing to look at schools pretty much anywhere I can afford, but my budget is limited, so I'll need either loans, or scholarships, or the ability to work a full time job while in school.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

Seek out a college adviser.

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I graduated with a 2.9 from my first degree. I worked hard on my prerequisites and got all As and one B in them and was able to get accepted to an accelerated program. Look in to the schools in your area to see about GPA and prerequisite requirements- some schools will weigh prerequisites or your last 60 credits more heavily than overall GPA, and some won't. It's definitely not impossible to get in to a good school with a bad GPA in your previous degree, but it will take some work and planning.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

You're going to need to take quite a few college sciences before you can even think about getting into a nursing school- realistically, you're probably looking at a year of pre-reqs and another 2 years of nursing school, if you do it full time. You may be able to do it in a little less time if you go the accelerated BSN route but you will not be able to work (unlikely, anyway) and they are exceptionally expensive.

You really need to do your homework- there are a lot of paths from where you sit right now--- but the first step is getting those science classes out of the way, with good grades.

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I'm also about to graduate with a Bachlor in Sociology with a minor in substance abuse. I'm contemplating nursing also. I'm a cna I (home health aide). Can't decide (lpn)quickest, (ADN) 3 years, or (BSN) have 7 prereques so it will take me 2 years part time plus two years for the nursing program.

Im also in debt from my ba, so I think I'm going to take my time and work for two years, save money and do BSN. Good luck with what you choose.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical-Oncology.

You should definitely look into accelerated BSN programs because it will be the quickest way of getting your second degree. However, you will most likely have to take out a huge loan with a private lender, if money is an issue. And the college/university that accepts you will defer your current loans so you don't have to pay while your in the program until after you graduate. I just started my full time accelerated BSN and I will hopefully graduate in 15 months with my BSN. The professors are already telling us that we won't be able to work throughout the program. If you need to work I suggest going for a part time accelerated BSN program or a part time four year BSN program (which mostly likely will take only 2 years if most of your credits tranfer over). Also, allow one year for taking the pre-reqs. My advice is to apply to as many accelerated programs as possible because they are very competitive. Also, give yourself some time to volunteer at a hospital or find a health-related job so you can stand out on your application. Good luck! :grad:

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

In addition to accelerated BSN I would look into masters physician assistant programs. If you did 2-3 semesters of hard sciences (as would be required to meet pre-reqs) you could then enter a 2 years masters programs for PA.

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thanks so much for the physicians assistant suggestion, I have never really thought about that before, but I'm realizing it's a definite possibility.

I know this is a nursing board but could anyone tell me about opportunities for physicians assistants in emergency medicine and in wilderness medicine?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
thanks so much for the physicians assistant suggestion, I have never really thought about that before, but I'm realizing it's a definite possibility.

I know this is a nursing board but could anyone tell me about opportunities for physicians assistants in emergency medicine and in wilderness medicine?

*** There are tons and tons of emergency positions for PAs. I don't know about wilderness medicine but I am sure there is more oppertunity for PAs than for RNs.

BTW PAs do not like the "s" on the end of physician. It is Physician Assistant, not "Physicians assistant".

Look here for emergency PA jobs:

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=physician+assistant+emergency&l=

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***

BTW PAs do not like the "s" on the end of physician. It is Physician Assistant, not "Physicians assistant".

oops sorry about that, all i know about Physician Assistants is what I've read this morning, thank you so much for all your advice

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oops sorry about that, all i know about Physician Assistants is what I've read this morning, thank you so much for all your advice

If you're interested in working abroad, look in to a few organizations to see if they take PAs. MSF does not hire PAs to work in the field for example but they do hire RNs and advanced practice nurses. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/work/field/?ref=main-menu

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don't automatically assume that pa work is in some way superior to aprn work, in er, wilderness med, or overseas mission-type work. it's not true, and it certainly isn't true in this country. check out the anp board and ask some questions there.

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