I'm just about 95% sure that I want to get a nursing degree. However, before I spend the time and money to finish up some prerequisites (starting this Fall) I wanted to get as much advice from others contemplating and/or making plans to go into a nursing program; particularly those who went to college for something else, did that something else for a while, and now find that a career with a nursing education just may be a bit more "fulfilled".
I have a bachelors in psych and a masters in public health. I started off working as a social worker/therapist for about 6 years and then (after my masters) went into health research. I'm in my 30s, have two kids and a husband and well...life is busy!
For YEARS I have been drawn to a clinical career - - throughout my teens I wanted to be a pediatrician, then considered OT, considered physician assistant programs and now the nursing thing ...which has been the most prominent thought for the past five years! (my husband's family is filled with health care folks..physicians and nurses a plenty)
In short, my reasons for wanting to go to nursing school include:
*my desire to add a more clinical knowledge to my repertoire
*my natural draw to a helping profession (I'm definitely a born nurturer)
*the possible career benefits (so many jobs I've been looking at lately also want a clinical background)
*my strong feeling that adding a clinical knowledge and skill set to an MPH would "catapult" (for lack of a better word) me into the leadership roles that I want to occupy
*my desire to really help people as a medical professional with advanced knowledge
Then, my reasons for NOT being 100% sold on going to nursing school include:
*the money for tuition (I already have loans)
*the guilt of feeling like I may neglect my hubby and kids (my kids are young and aren't even in school yet)
*my doubt that it WON'T give me the long-term career benefit
*my slight fear that I won't be cut out for the needle draws, catheter insertions, etc etc
*spending all that time to take prereqs and get good grades, only to still not be competitive (I only have a 2.8 in undergrad although the last 2 years of that were over a 3.0, and I had a 3.6 overall for my masters)
*and the small voice in the back of my head that keeps saying "do you REALLY want to go back to school again?" lol
By the way, in terms of prereqs, I have taken these courses:
Bio (got an A, but that was over 10 years ago)
A&P I (got a B, but again, over 10 years ago)
Stat (got a C, but then took Biostats for my masters about 4 years ago and got a B)
Ok - so any and all advice welcome. Should I consider nursing still..and, if so, should I think about an ADN vs a BSN (although I will say that if I got the ADN I would definitely obtain the BSN at some point, most likely through a distance education RN to BSN program)
Thanks and thanks for reading! I'm long winded :wink2:
Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
I haven't done research but don't think I'm cut for it. I work in project management for clinical trials, which was my corporate compromise for what I have really been wanting to do - nursing. It's giving me a different kind of clinical background and exposure, I'm sure the knowledge will be beneficial later on in the nursing environment but right now I want more direct contact. I work mostly on the phones and computers never face to face. It's where that direct contact will take me that I'm not sure yet.
I've been focusing on school these past six months but will be done with my class by next week. I will then start my research on where I'd like to land, especially since I have a year to really think about it.
Also, you said that you had taken A & P about 10 years ago. You do probably have to take it again, mostly because you still need to take A & P II. I found a couple of options online that are accepted at Durham Tech. I was surprised that there is an option and that they accepted it. It's not cheap but I think it was a good course. I have tuition reimbursement so was able to take it without much trouble.
I haven't done research but don't think I'm cut for it. I work in project management for clinical trials, which was my corporate compromise for what I have really been wanting to do - nursing. It's giving me a different kind of clinical background and exposure, I'm sure the knowledge will be beneficial later on in the nursing environment but right now I want more direct contact. I work mostly on the phones and computers never face to face. It's where that direct contact will take me that I'm not sure yet.
I've been focusing on school these past six months but will be done with my class by next week. I will then start my research on where I'd like to land, especially since I have a year to really think about it.
Also, you said that you had taken A & P about 10 years ago. You do probably have to take it again, mostly because you still need to take A & P II. I found a couple of options online that are accepted at Durham Tech. I was surprised that there is an option and that they accepted it. It's not cheap but I think it was a good course. I have tuition reimbursement so was able to take it without much trouble.
Oh I think I'll be ok with A&P because they said if it's a college-level A&P I then I don't have to take it over. Also this morning I went on the website to compare the course description to make sure it was comparable to Durham Tech's and it seemed to be right on. But, we'll see...if I have to take it over, so be it. I actually didn't mind it and I'm sure the recent A&P I exposure won't hurt!
Now, as for you working in project management within clinical research, oh my goodness PLEASE HELP ME! I'm trying to find a job in clinical research project management support right now and it's been the hardest journey ever. The competition in the local market is fierce and I have been trying to network. Who do you work for? What exactly do you do? If you want to PM me in private, that's fine. I think it's ironic how similar our backgrounds are though. Funny
By the way, have you considered NCCU's program too or are you just interested in the ADN option?
You are still young enough and have the energy to tackle your education work by the horns so I say Go For It! Do what's in your heart and you will be happier and it will pay off in the end. However your family is important too so make some special dates with your husband and children and trust me you will appreciate them even more. Good Luck!
You are still young enough and have the energy to tackle your education work by the horns so I say Go For It! Do what's in your heart and you will be happier and it will pay off in the end. However your family is important too so make some special dates with your husband and children and trust me you will appreciate them even more. Good Luck!
Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.
I'd like to PM you but can't yet since I'm a newbie. I'll give you more details soon. I wasn't able to meet with my FNP contact but he did call me back. I plan on "interviewing" him to get more info and advice. I'll keep you posted on that. As soon as I meet my quota, I'll PM you. It sounds like we live near enough to each other that we could meet.
Did you ask questions at the DTech info session? You weren't the blonde were you? I was sitting in the very front - got the director's chair, asked about any chance of Fall admission... and got a BIG
Anyway, about the A&P - would be great if you didn't have to take it.
I'd like to PM you but can't yet since I'm a newbie. I'll give you more details soon. I wasn't able to meet with my FNP contact but he did call me back. I plan on "interviewing" him to get more info and advice. I'll keep you posted on that. As soon as I meet my quota, I'll PM you. It sounds like we live near enough to each other that we could meet.
Did you ask questions at the DTech info session? You weren't the blonde were you? I was sitting in the very front - got the director's chair, asked about any chance of Fall admission... and got a BIG
Anyway, about the A&P - would be great if you didn't have to take it.
Oh ok yeah I think I remember you! I definitely remember the question
As for me being a blonde, ha! I do want to dye my hair though I was sitting towards the back...near the door...just in case my husband called with some "emergency" dealing with the kids. I asked a question at the very end about them clarifying the college-level bio and chem requirements. I thought it was strange that they would accept a college level A&P I course to satisfy both a bio AND chem class requirement. I was very happy though that would because I absolutely can't stand chemistry. I'll do physics, bio, math, even astronomy over chem
I didn't know you couldn't PM if you're new. I'm still trying to figure this site out so I guess I clearly didn't realize that yet. So yeah please do when you can.
and got a BIG 
I was sitting towards the back...near the door...just in case my husband called with some "emergency" dealing with the kids. I asked a question at the very end about them clarifying the college-level bio and chem requirements. I thought it was strange that they would accept a college level A&P I course to satisfy both a bio AND chem class requirement. I was very happy though that would because I absolutely can't stand chemistry. I'll do physics, bio, math, even astronomy over chem 
NCphoenix
62 Posts
I haven't done research but don't think I'm cut for it. I work in project management for clinical trials, which was my corporate compromise for what I have really been wanting to do - nursing. It's giving me a different kind of clinical background and exposure, I'm sure the knowledge will be beneficial later on in the nursing environment but right now I want more direct contact. I work mostly on the phones and computers never face to face. It's where that direct contact will take me that I'm not sure yet.
I've been focusing on school these past six months but will be done with my class by next week. I will then start my research on where I'd like to land, especially since I have a year to really think about it.
Also, you said that you had taken A & P about 10 years ago. You do probably have to take it again, mostly because you still need to take A & P II. I found a couple of options online that are accepted at Durham Tech. I was surprised that there is an option and that they accepted it. It's not cheap but I think it was a good course. I have tuition reimbursement so was able to take it without much trouble.