Should I be a nurse? Need a lot of advice

[a5gunner]

Hello all,

I am a guy who has been in college for 2 years so far and was originally planning on majoring in business. After taking some business classes I have decided that it isn't the major for me.

I like to help people and I have come in decision to two careers either

• Nurse
• Teaching

I am leaning more to the nursing and would like some advice on why I should choose it over teaching.

Also, if I do decide the nursing I know it will take more school, but I don't want to be longer than necessary.

My community college I am at now offers a Nurse Assistant Certificate, then associates certificate.

Would I benefit from doing that, or should I just finish another year all my general educations classes? Then go to a university get a degree in nursing (I don't really have any science at all so far) however i have done english and psychology.

Since i have already been in school 2 years, is going the assistant and associate path out of the way? If I go to a university isn't a nursing program only 2 years so instead of an associate's I would be an RN with a degree already?

I don't even know if you need a Nursing Assistant Certificate or associates before getting the degree

This is the part I am really confused about if I decide on doing it.

[katiehydrangea]

I wish I was a faster typist as there is a lot I want to tell you... I will try to be susinct and at the same time be helpful.

First major piece of advice is try to stay in-state for in state tuition and dont get your degree in something else if you do indeed want to be a nurse, you can double major but to go back and get a second degree is expensive and there are no grants and very few scholarships available for a second undergraduate degree. Now getting a masters if a differnt story. I am going back to get my second degree in nursing (BSN) and having to go out of stae and since the accelerated program is so intense, my private loan is going to be around $40k.

Do you want to jump in all at once or do you want to gradually get your feet wet in the health care arena? I started off working as a CNA and I have to admit that it was a turn off for me because I wanted to have a larger scope of practice and be able to problem solve and be more proactive than the role of a CNA provides. Although, you get a lot of patient contact and that alone is can be very rewarding. Working your way up may also be less intimidating. I know some people couldnt just go cold into a hospital (for clinicals) and feel comfortable.

Eventually you will probably want to get your BSN as I have been reading/hearing that the RN BSNs will be the most employable. However, that being said, if you want to work in a clinic, then you may not even need/want to get a BSN. Or you may want to get your AS first then you can work while getting your BSN on-line which would be a great way to go.

Whatever you decide, make up your mind and stick with it. I have changed my mind on this so many times that as i mentioned above.....its costing me a ton.

Have fun and good luck

[p_hawk]

As a new graduate of an associate rn program, I just want to clarify that the nclex that I will be sitting for is the same nclex that the bsn graduates sit for.

An RN is an RN.

That being said, there are some places that prefer you to have your BSN, especially in management positions. Where I work there is no designation between bachelor prepared nurses and associate degree nurses. New nurses start off with the same pay regardless of what it says on their diploma. And I am not working at a rehab facility or a clinic. I am starting a job in critical care at one of the larger hospitals in my area, so an associate doesn't necessarily limit your employment.

Most associate degree programs are 4 semesters, bachelor programs are 6 semesters, usually the "Program" starts your sophomore year with your freshman year full of prereqs and such.

As was stated in a previous reply, there are many online or mostly online RN to BSN programs. I am planning on eventually getting my BSN. It's nice to know that when I do receive my BSN I won't have another board to sit for, as I will already be licensed as an RN. If all goes according to plan on my nclex date, that is! Lol

Good luck to you. Nursing school can be tough, but when you're finished it feels like a major accomplishment and it's something you can be very proud of, IMHO.

[havehope]

A5gunner:

I was deciding myself whether to do nursing, or teaching among a few others. This is what I thought:

1.) nursing is more secure job ( I think)

2.) I hear that is very hard getting a nursing job, but...In va every where I look a hospital is hiring nurses. So...You have lots to choose from (big hospital, small, nursing home, etc.)

3.) more money in nursing (even though you have to work all the time & you don't get every holiday and summer off!)

4.) you can work overtime maybe all the time, maybe sometimes... In teaching you can't.

But...To me you have to love your job so if it is teaching and if you can get a job and you love it and your not making as much money. So what? It's better being happy all the time to be miserable (that's just me).

If you do choose nursing:

I am going for the adn (associate degree in nursing) which is an rn. Adn in my area is only three years and the bsn is four years. What I'm thinking about doing is getting my adn get a job and start working then go back and work on my bsn . I agree with the post above an rn is and rn. Your taking the same test. In your situtation...I think you'd be best to go ahead and get the bsn since you do have general ed. Classes done or somewhat done.

Hope this helps!

[Queen Tiye, CNA]

You could become a nurse and depending on how far you're willing to go in your education, you could teach other students how to become a nurse, you'd be qualified to teach science in grade school and you can also work as a nurse educator

1) Assess patient and family learning needs; plan and implement teaching strategies to meet those needs.

2) Evaluates effectiveness of teaching

3) Educates peers and colleagues

4) Possess excellent interpersonal skills" - critical care nursing made incredibly easy by lippincott williams & wilkins