Alright, so I just graduated with my bachelors (not in nursing) and I'm thinking about becoming a nurse-getting an RN or a second-degree BSN, something along those lines. But here's the kicker, I don't actually want to BE a nurse. Let me explain, right now I'm applying for MPH programs (Masters in Public Health) looking for specific programs with an emphasis in Emergency Management and Disaster Relief. I would like to work for the CDC, Red Cross, FEMA, or basically any other first responder organization. The MPH will be a BIG help in this goal, but I was thinking that getting a nursing degree would only be a boon and not a detriment. But what's the best way to go about getting a nursing degree (keeping in mind I have no intentions of actually nursing...yes I am an odd duck, I know). I'm looking for the quickest way, I have the basic GE pre-reqs for BSN programs, but not really any of the science classes-so from right now: needing about 5-6 pre-reqs to finish (hey I have a nursing degree) what's the quickest way? ANY help would be so great...because the MPH is gonna take some time and I'd love to get out of school before I'm 30. Thanks!
If public health is the same as nursing, why have two professional entities. MPH degree is NOT about being a first responder. If you want to do that, be a paramedic. Its the public health guy who figures out out to distribute the skilled providers. If you're spending your time in the trenches doing someone else's job, you can't do your own. Now, having said that, if you want to work with people more than paper, there is a master's program in International Nursing at Columbia University which would provide you with the skills to provide first responder skills to refugees, etc.
Not to burst your bubble, but doesn't taking a spot in nursing school when there is a shortage sound a little irresponsible? If this was 20+ years ago and there were plenty of open spots in nursing school, I guess it might be be different. I think nursing experience might truly enhance your ability to perform in a role in emergency health service management, just having the degree is questionable to me. I think on paper you'd have an advantage over someone who has only the MPH. The real advantage goes to the person in this role who has been an ER nurse, paramedic, flight nurse, Red Cross volunteer nurse during a disaster, etc. I think you want an admin. role perhaps, not to be the first responder doing the caregiving. Honestly, the MPH should serve you well for this one, though even in this case you may start out in a junior role until you gain experience. It would be really prestigious for you to do an MD/MPH program if you truly want a leg up!
when I said a nursing degree would be a boon to my future plans I meant that it would make me more useful in the field of emergency management-ie: first responders.
You have researched this more than I have, but nurses are not considered first responders. First responders are firefighters, paramedics, police officers - those that respond first to an MCI or disaster areas. They are the ones trained in ICS, NIMS, terrorism responses, etc.
Wouldn't getting experience in one of those fields help you more than being a nurse as it relates more with first responder situations?
Medic2RN. I think you have a good point which is kind of what I was trying to say. To have some kind of hands on experience in emergency services would enhance the individual more than having a degree per se. However, I see time and again where having the degree will trump this in the eyes of some who do the hiring. The best candidate should have both. BTW, we do have nurse first responders who do many of the things that medics do and have a lot of the training you speak of. A number start out as paramedics..
This is my 2nd degree as well and I thought the 2 yr program would be easy because I already have a BA. If I could easily get a BA then an associates would be no problem. I couldn't have been more wrong! Beware, that this will be a difficult path if you choose it. If nursing truly isn't in your veins, you will struggle more than those of us who live and dream nursing. It is the most difficult school path that I've ever been on. Even though I do very well, I truly earn every good grade I get and the not so good ones as well. I wish you all the luck, you'll need it if you go to NS.
Well said! :redpinkhe I am in the process of finishing my last two prerequisites and plan on starting nursing school next year. I started volunteering last month and helping the nurses and CNA's take care of their patients has been such a blessing in my life. I truly feel privileged that I get to help take care of these patients! Why don't you want to work as a nurse? Just curious.....
i am a RN and have been for 23 years.... my mother was a RN for 50 years and my sister is a RN for 20 years, my cosuin is NP for 30 years... and the list goes on...
i love working as a nurse and love the patients , i feel it a honor to work for people and make them feel better. i hate the paper work,
Well said! :redpinkhe I am in the process of finishing my last two prerequisites and plan on starting nursing school next year. I started volunteering last month and helping the nurses and CNA's take care of their patients has been such a blessing in my life. I truly feel privileged that I get to help take care of these patients! Why don't you want to work as a nurse? Just curious.....
ooh yes good luck in school and keep us posted.. ooh i don't know where you got the idea i didn't want to work as a nurse , for i've been doing it a long.. long.. time..
Medic2N, thanks for the advice. I did look into the paramedic vs. nurse issue because as you stated firefighters, paramedics and police officers are classified as classic first responders, but having looked into these programs I really did not feel that they were what I was looking for. I talked to paramedics (firefighter and police officer being right out for me) and they told me about their training and certification and having spoken to them I found I was more interested in nursing and the knowledge those programs consisted of. As a nurse there is just more training and knowledge (in my and this paramedic friends opinion). He told me about a few bridge programs from paramedic to nurse, but said if I thought nurse was the way to go then I should probably just jump into nursing straight off. That being said, you mentioned something about nurse first responders? My paramedic friend mentioned nothing about this. I would love any information you might have about the schooling and training necessary to be a nurse first responder. Thanks for the advice again.
Was is it exactly that you want to do? I'm confused somewhat by your post, if I'm WAY off, please just accept my apologies right now
Having been in on the search, recovery and then finally the disaster relief of 2 F-5 tornados and then countless other minor search and rescue situations, I can throw you my 2 cents.
If you want to be the first responders, the one in the trenches so to speak. The ones that do the knocking on the doors, finding the people, recovering the bodies, etc....then I would suggest doing the paramedic, EMT, firefighter, etc...route.
If you want to be the person, lets call them the Emergency Management Director, that makes the decisions about what to do next while on scene on a major incident, then I'm not sure nursing is going to help here. I can see once again though the medic, EMT, firefighter, police, etc.... all that experience might help because that is front line experience in MCI, IC, etc......
Nurses usually aren't on the front line - they are usually in the ER which can feel like the front line, but it's not. If they do show up to the scene, it's usually days into it.
My experience with IC all stemmed from when I was a police/fire/EMS dispatcher and I did mobile command for LOTS of stuff. In fact one of my dispatchers I trained years ago eventually went on to work for FEMA and now travels all over and for the record, she doesn't have a degree in anything, just lots of experience in lots of different areas.
I haven't been to a scene since becoming a nurse.
Again, just my 2 cents here. I'm just trying to figure out why on earth someone who didn't want to work as a nurse would actually want to go to school to be a nurse.
If it was me, I would skip this step of nursing, get involved in some local EM departments, go to some meetings, become a first responder, get on a search and rescue team, etc.... At least in my humble opinion, those are going to make you a strong candidate for what you desire (I think).
Medic2N, thanks for the advice. I did look into the paramedic vs. nurse issue because as you stated firefighters, paramedics and police officers are classified as classic first responders, but having looked into these programs I really did not feel that they were what I was looking for. I talked to paramedics (firefighter and police officer being right out for me) and they told me about their training and certification and having spoken to them I found I was more interested in nursing and the knowledge those programs consisted of. As a nurse there is just more training and knowledge (in my and this paramedic friends opinion). He told me about a few bridge programs from paramedic to nurse, but said if I thought nurse was the way to go then I should probably just jump into nursing straight off. That being said, you mentioned something about nurse first responders? My paramedic friend mentioned nothing about this. I would love any information you might have about the schooling and training necessary to be a nurse first responder. Thanks for the advice again.
Your welcome. I think I'm confused somewhat by what your trying to accomplish now. If you're more interested in the nursing, then are you trying to become a hospital emergency manager? It would make more sense to pursue the RN degree.
ooh yes good luck in school and keep us posted.. ooh i don't know where you got the idea i didn't want to work as a nurse , for i've been doing it a long.. long.. time..
Here are some links for you. I am sorry. We used to call them nurse first responders "way back when" in another state. They are prehospital RN's. Here are two links. This is something that you would need to have an RN background to pursue.
Here is a graduate program in Emergency Health Services. My friend has her BS in Emergency Health Services from this school. She got her ADN and has been working as an RN for 20+ years.
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subee, MSN, CRNA
1 Article; 6,143 Posts
If public health is the same as nursing, why have two professional entities. MPH degree is NOT about being a first responder. If you want to do that, be a paramedic. Its the public health guy who figures out out to distribute the skilled providers. If you're spending your time in the trenches doing someone else's job, you can't do your own. Now, having said that, if you want to work with people more than paper, there is a master's program in International Nursing at Columbia University which would provide you with the skills to provide first responder skills to refugees, etc.