Where to start

[chill820]

Hello!

I am in a state of 'I don't know' because currently I am enrolled at a university in Ohio and when I finish I will have a degree in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I have been wanting to enter into Public Health but when looking at some of the jobs and requirements I come across a lot of things that deal with nursing. Nursing was something that was in the back of my mind to do but because so many folks in my family are nurses I did not want to keep the trend going. Nonetheless, I have begun to look into nursing and have found it to be rewarding. However, I amwanting to start taking pre reqs and being from Cleveland I most likely will start with Tri-C and hopefully make it into Cleveland State or Kent State (for nursing school) though I would love to move out of state. Then, I would like to complete an MPH in Health education/health promotion. However, my question is did anyone else come into nursing with a similar story? should I just go on to get the MPH and then nursing? I will be graduating in Spring 2016 and am trying to figure that out.

[chill820]

Also, would enter the field because I enjoy helping people and learning about others. I would not get into the field for money purposes or to get "hot dates".

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

LOL! 'Hot Dates' *wipes eyes and catches breath* I must have missed that part of our profession completely. I can definitely see the appeal.... alluring scrubs with various ambiguous stains ..... titillating orthopedic shoes .... casual 'I've been working 12 hours with not even a potty break' hairdo . . . yeah, it makes sense.

Admission to the nursing programs you have mentioned is Uber-competitive. You probably need to consider a Plan B in case you aren't accepted right away. But, if your true passion is public health, I am wondering why you don't just continue to follow that path. Is it because you are seeing more jobs for nurses?

(giggle, snort - Hot Dates) ... sorry, that just hit me right in the funny bone.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Also, would enter the field because I enjoy helping people and learning about others. I would not get into the field for money purposes or to get "hot dates".

Psssst: here's a secret. It actually IS ok to go into nursing because you would like to make a decent salary. We don't let that out there much because it interferes with our Florence Nightengale image.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'm under the impression that public health nursing jobs are kind of "cozy" and difficult to get without years and years of experience. I'm not sure, though...