What would you do?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2008

What are your long term goals in nursing? Do you need an MSN to reach those goals?

Have you looked into accellerated programs, that take a year of intense study, but award a BSN?

Good luck to you!

JenRN30, BSN · Jan 3, 2008

Hi!

I'm also a 25 year old with an 8 month old son, so I understand your situation. I'm just starting at Georgia State for my BSN. If I were you, I would do the MSN program at Medical College of Georgia. I think that it would do you more good to get a master's degree rather than an ASN degree, especially if your overall goal is to be a nurse practitioner or something! There are probably a lot of experienced nurses who think that you need experience as an RN before getting your MSN. This is an inexperienced person's opinion! Good luck to you.

Fiona59 · Jan 3, 2008

I'm going to be unpopular and ask why do you want to leave your child and business, if there is no pressing financial need?

Your child is only that age once and you will miss a lot. People are forever saying do it and go for it but do really want the stress of a full time course of study, a full time job of mother and wife, and the politics of school?

Nursing school will still be there in four or five years when your child is in full time school. Being a full time mother to a young child is a great job. It just seems to suck when you are doing it day in, day out. The thought of coffee breaks and clothes that didn't have spit up on them seemed like heaven when my brood was little. But looking back I'm glad I was their for all the firsts, school field trips and Mums groups.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 3, 2008

I'd go to the MSN program. It will give you the most career options. Too many people choose the ADN route and then "never get around to" going back to school for the BSN and MSN. Because they don't like their career options with the ADN, they grow bitter and decide to just leave nursing altogether rather than go back to school yet again.

If you really want to be a nurse, then give yourself the best chance of happiness and success by getting the MSN degree. If you don't really want to be a nurse ... well then ... neither route will make you happy in the long run.

sammyjo24 · Jan 3, 2008

Well, here is the plan, in my head anyway. I'm hoping to do the MSN program that is usually done in 2 years, but take a little more time. That way, I'll be done with my degree about the same time my little girl goes to school. I stay up all night most nights as it is, so I figured night shift would be my best bet, and then have grandmother and daddy babysit for weekends etc. Is my perfect little plan flawed? Can you even start out on night shift? How does that work exactly? Also, is there such thing as part time nursing?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2008

In many places, all new grads do start out on nights, at least after orientation. There is often a waiting list to move to days.

You may be able to find something part-time, but that can be tough as a new grad. Where I am, chances for a part-time slot are better after you have oriented full-time and spent at least a year working on your own full-time. That said, there are plenty of places that hire for three 12 hr shifts per week and consider you FT at 36 hours/wk.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2008

Sounds like a good plan. With family support, willpower and determination you'll reach your goals. Getting night shift is usually relatively easy. Part-time positions are usually reserved for staff and as a new grad you'll be expected to work full time, at least through the orientation process, which will more than likely involve some day shifts prior to moving to nights. Not something you really have to worry about now, but something to plan for as the time nears.

Tait, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2008

I would say anything is possible.

Honestly I would recommend first trying a little shadowing. Find a hospital and maybe volunteer a bit. Lots of people can say you have the make-up for nursing, but I think having a little first hand experience will benefit your decisions in the long run.

I am of an ADN program and found that a lot of mothers liked the program because you could go at your own pace, spread the classes out if you needed to and, at least our tech college in WI, was very responsive to family needs.

I am currently practicing in my field, on nights, and planning my ADN -> MSN in hospital education within the next five years. If you have determination and a flexible plan anything is possible. Just keep a goal in mind and you will have it when the time is right. Oh and I can do my entire ADN --> MSN online through Georgia's Walden University online program.

As far as part time nights goes, I saw a lot of new grads with me get part-time/PRN positions by just being clear with their employers and saying upfront what they needed and why.

There is nothing wrong with a respectful request and your future employer's will appreciate the honesty. Otherwise just move on and try somewhere else.

Just my perspective.

Best of luck,

Tait

Dottie78 · Jan 3, 2008

In many places, all new grads do start out on nights, at least after orientation. There is often a waiting list to move to days.
What part of Texas are you from? I've never heard of new grads starting out on nights. Is it really that difficult to get days after graduation? I'm just curious, because I'm from San Antonio.