Taking another route after getting my BSN

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Hi everyone,

I am currently getting my BSN and am super grateful to have this degree, however, I double majored and am interested in potentially getting a masters related to my other speciality which has absolutely nothing to do with healthcare. The master's program is two years and it is something I am very excited about, however, I am concerned that if I decide to go back into nursing that I will have a difficult time finding a job due to my lack of experience and length of time being out of nursing school. 

 

Would I need to take a nursing refresher course if I have a BSN never worked as a nurse for 2+ years after graduating? Would I even be able to work in the field of nursing after such amount of time?

 

If you have experience with this please let me know ? I would really appreciate it!

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Specializes in NICU.

I would suggest taking NCLEX as soon as you graduate and maintain your license for a few years. It would be more difficult to pass NCLEX when you have been out of school for several years. Some states may have a time limit between graduating and taking NCLEX without needing a refresher course.

My suggestion is to work full-time as a nurse while getting your Masters, then drop down to PRN while you explore your other career. That way you continue to gain nursing experience if you decide to pursue nursing again full-time.

The issue with walking away from nursing completely for 2 1/2 years is that you will be competing against new grad nurses that have just completed nursing school. You will also be ineligible for new grad residencies since they require that you graduated less than 6 months from applying. 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

With all those delays, you would not be much of a desirable catch for  nsg position. Of course, it could all depend on your grad degree, potential nsg position (not all are direct pt care-focused, and you may just know somebody).

And welcome to AN.

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Specializes in Prehospital Medicine.

Just my input, Had my nursing license for 2+ years but I truly enjoyed working as a Paramedic so I never quit.  Last month I put my hat in the ring to transition to the nursing field and was called almost immediately.  Though I cannot work "where I want," everyone in the process has stated that its simply clinical time "as a nurse" that can place me where I wish to be. 

 

I agree, get that NCLEX.  Do not hesitate on taking that exam.  This is juts my personal story and relates to current times.  2 years from now will there be such a critical shortage of nurses as there is now, will there be such high turnover and burnout, will there be a global pandemic creating political turmoil??  you will probably forget things, but its much easier to retrain then it would be to teach from scratch (though some may rightfully argue that bad habits are harder to fix than no habits). 

And then use your other degree to your advantage.  It may be unrelated to healthcare, but are there ways to tie it into healthcare?

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