WHat's your plan after RN BSN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

  1. WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AFTER RN BSN?

    • 5
      GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND STUDY ANOTHER COURSE
    • 12
      JUST WAIT AND SEE, PLAN AFTER 5 YRS
    • 28
      BE A NURSE PRACTITIONER
    • 2
      BE A NURSE ANESTHETIST
    • 16
      I DONT KNOW

63 members have participated

Im just wondering what would you do? whats next?

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I had a whole big long post written in response to this, but I decided that instead I will just state that I feel sorry for your four kids.

Obviously, unless they go to graduate school, you won't see them as important, functional, valuable members of society. :rolleyes:

Wha??? What on earth did you read that made you jump to that? It's like we're reading two different posts, because I didn't take that away at ALL from what she wrote.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Someone is bitter.

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NP. I was just accepted into ISU FNP program. I am excited

about furthering my education and nursing experience. I believe

Knowledge is powerful and will provide better outcomes for our patients

and family.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

My plan is to work in ICU for 4-5 years, preferably CCU or CVICU. Go back for Acute Care NP. Then get Family or Adult-Gero NP post masters certification and work in an office for 2 days a week and hospital 2 days a week. I want to work in cardiac surgery at the hospital and do primary care in the office, but specialize in cardiac patients. I also want to teach nursing clinical rotations. That can happen once I've worked in ICU for a year. I do not want to get a DNP, Master's is fine for me. Right now I work on a general surgery/ortho floor which is giving me great experience and I plan to stay for another 1-2 years and then try to get an ICU job. I also want to work ED at some point, just to try it out. I think once I get proficient in ICU, I will pick up PRN shifts in the ED.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Evidently I shouldn't post in the middle of the night... or I shouldn't erase a big long post I've written and try to write a more short-and-sweet post instead, because I'm evidently not as adept at getting my point across that way.

Let me try again to explain my perspective.

This is the part that I took exception to:

I'm certainly glad others want to stop at being a nurse, but even APRNs are nurses so that "just a nurse comment" is for the birds.

And:

It seems there are some that find it a waste to think past the BSN.

The flowery stuff about doing what you're comfortable/happy doing is (IMHO) just fluff to make it not sound like this person is a pretentious snob. (again, that is the way *I* perceived the comments -- only the person who authored them knows if that's the way they were intended to come across)

The way that I interpreted the "even APRNs are nurses" comment, combined with the "stop at being a nurse" and "terminal degree" phrases, was that you're being "less than a complete nurse" if you don't go on to graduate school. But the fact remains, not everyone WANTS to go to graduate school -- it's a lot of time away from your family, it's a lot of energy, and it's a lot of money... and it's not necessarily going to make you better at your job.

My point is that there is NOTHING WRONG with being a bedside nurse, if that is what your talent/desire is in life. Heck, I don't particularly see the need to get the BSN (in addition to a diploma or ADN) other than marketability for jobs, unless you have a particular desire to get into management or a desk job of some sort. I spent the last twenty years of my life in management -- that's the last thing I want for my next twenty years!

If *every* nurse went on to graduate school, who the heck would be working the bedside? Who is going to work in a LTC facility? Who is going to do private duty nursing, sitting beside a vent-dependent child all night long to keep them alive so their parents can sleep? Who is going to administer flu vaccinations at flu shot clinics? Who is going to be the school or camp nurse who keeps our children safe when they're not at home? And all the hundreds of other nursing jobs?

The comment about finding it "a waste to think past the BSN" I interpreted as being directed at me, since I was the only other post in the thread at that time. And NOWHERE did I indicate that it was stupid to continue one's education beyond the BSN level. I was just pointing out that THIS POLL does not allow for one to choose to "just" be a BSN (or even diploma/ADN) nurse. What's the point of taking a poll if you're not going to list all of the options?

Looking at this poll's results, one could think that EVERYONE is going beyond the BSN, when in fact it may very well be less than 10% of new grads who pursue graduate school. If you want a poll to give you a real idea of what's going on, you have to offer the complete spectrum of responses, otherwise your results are skewed/biased, and what's the point of a poll with a skewed result? (Unless you're working for the media... they LOVE to report on skewed results as if they were accurate! LOL)

Again, I have NO PROBLEM with people wanting to get a higher degree, in nursing or anything else. Honestly, if I'd started with nursing as my first career, I'd be a CNM right now myself. I had an APRN as my first clinical instructor and her knowledge and wisdom was amazing -- I wish I could have had her as my CI for my entire nursing school career! I often see a NP at my doctor's office. I used a CNM for my own pregnancy. And I also have the academic ability to succeed in graduate school. There is no butt-hurt here over not continuing my education, because it's not what *I* want for *me*. And likewise, there is no butt-hurt here over people who do want to continue their education -- go for it, I think it's awesome, and we need people in this world to do those jobs too!!

However, I DO have a problem with people who look down their noses at people who want to remain at the bedside. I also have a problem with people who look down their noses at plumbers or car mechanics or teachers or whatever. We can't all be doctors and lawyers in the world -- someone still needs to do all the other jobs. That is the point I was trying (and obviously failed at) to get across.

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I dunno...we'll see. How's that for you? :)

I'd like to first start working in the specialty I'm interested in. Whether or not I pursue my NP after seeing what that's like depends on the cost, the location of the nearest program, finances, the ages of children I might have at that point, etc.... you get the idea.

I really, really hate those 5-/10-year plans people try to fit into. My "plan" is best described by the "wait and see" mantra.

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Specializes in General Surgery, NICU.

After finishing my BSN education I want to focus on working in NICU, and eventually become certified in NICU nursing (RNC). Of course all that can change. Right now, these are my career goals and interests.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Evidently I shouldn't post in the middle of the night... or I shouldn't erase a big long post I've written and try to write a more short-and-sweet post instead because I'm evidently not as adept at getting my point across that way. Let me try again to explain my perspective. This is the part that I took exception to: And: The flowery stuff about doing what you're comfortable/happy doing is (IMHO) just fluff to make it not sound like this person is a pretentious snob. (again, that is the way *I* perceived the comments -- only the person who authored them knows if that's the way they were intended to come across) The way that I interpreted the "even APRNs are nurses" comment, combined with the "stop at being a nurse" and "terminal degree" phrases, was that you're being "less than a complete nurse" if you don't go on to graduate school. But the fact remains, not everyone WANTS to go to graduate school -- it's a lot of time away from your family, it's a lot of energy, and it's a lot of money... and it's not necessarily going to make you better at your job. My point is that there is NOTHING WRONG with being a bedside nurse, if that is what your talent/desire is in life. Heck, I don't particularly see the need to get the BSN (in addition to a diploma or ADN) other than marketability for jobs, unless you have a particular desire to get into management or a desk job of some sort. I spent the last twenty years of my life in management -- that's the last thing I want for my next twenty years! If *every* nurse went on to graduate school, who the heck would be working the bedside? Who is going to work in a LTC facility? Who is going to do private duty nursing, sitting beside a vent-dependent child all night long to keep them alive so their parents can sleep? Who is going to administer flu vaccinations at flu shot clinics? Who is going to be the school or camp nurse who keeps our children safe when they're not at home? And all the hundreds of other nursing jobs? The comment about finding it "a waste to think past the BSN" I interpreted as being directed at me, since I was the only other post in the thread at that time. And NOWHERE did I indicate that it was stupid to continue one's education beyond the BSN level. I was just pointing out that THIS POLL does not allow for one to choose to "just" be a BSN (or even diploma/ADN) nurse. What's the point of taking a poll if you're not going to list all of the options? Looking at this poll's results, one could think that EVERYONE is going beyond the BSN, when in fact it may very well be less than 10% of new grads who pursue graduate school. If you want a poll to give you a real idea of what's going on, you have to offer the complete spectrum of responses, otherwise your results are skewed/biased, and what's the point of a poll with a skewed result? (Unless you're working for the media... they LOVE to report on skewed results as if they were accurate! LOL) Again, I have NO PROBLEM with people wanting to get a higher degree, in nursing or anything else. Honestly, if I'd started with nursing as my first career, I'd be a CNM right now myself. I had an APRN as my first clinical instructor and her knowledge and wisdom was amazing -- I wish I could have had her as my CI for my entire nursing school career! I often see a NP at my doctor's office. I used a CNM for my own pregnancy. And I also have the academic ability to succeed in graduate school. There is no butt-hurt here over not continuing my education, because it's not what *I* want for *me*. And likewise, there is no butt-hurt here over people who do want to continue their education -- go for it, I think it's awesome, and we need people in this world to do those jobs too!! However, I DO have a problem with people who look down their noses at people who want to remain at the bedside. I also have a problem with people who look down their noses at plumbers or car mechanics or teachers or whatever. We can't all be doctors and lawyers in the world -- someone still needs to do all the other jobs. That is the point I was trying (and obviously failed at) to get across.[/quote']

Just wow is all I have for you! Maybe you had a really bad day and I brought out the best in you. If you love working at the bedside that is wonderful. I personally did not and won't stay there. Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them." Funny, I wasn't trying to do that so perhaps introspection is required? As to my children why they should be the target of your pity is beyond me. My children are none of your concern along with their educations. There is a large need for PMHNPs if you change your mind so there's that.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Just wow is all I have for you!

Not really surprised you didn't have anything to say in response.

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them." Funny, I wasn't trying to do that so perhaps introspection is required?

You really don't get it.... The LAST thing I feel is "inferior".

As to my children why they should be the target of your pity is beyond me. My children are none of your concern along with their educations.

You identify yourself as "mom to 4" -- that's why your children were mentioned. If you don't want people to talk about them, you could always use a name that doesn't mention them.

There is a large need for PMHNPs if you change your mind so there's that.

There's "what", pray tell? :sarcastic:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Regardless if the name is Mom to 4 referring to another person's children is just sad. I will not dignify you with a further response in regards to my children. As to your education it's great that you are happy with a BSN. The world is in need of nurses at the bedside. You are coming across very defensive for no reason but that could just be the online message board (Read Sarcasm Here). As for PMHNP whether you decide to become one or simply speak to one it will only to serve to assist others.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Let's get back to topic....what you do want to do in the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years....

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Subacute, Homecare, LTC.

I was an LPN for 2.5 years. I just finished my RN and I passed the boards. I haven't even received my license number, but I started a bsn program on Monday. I'd love to go on for my fnp, it's what I always wanted to do. Hopefully I can start that next year :)

Also I can't believe that you're taking what mom to 4 said that hard. She obviously did not intend for it to be an insult, you read way too far into it. Also, you basically insulted her as a mother which is pretty pathetic in my opinion.

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