Wondering if I should continue my education.

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Specializes in aide.

Hi, I'm a pre nursing student at a community college and I'm going for my associates in Registered Nursing. My question is should I go on to another school and get my bachelors degree as well. I want to work in labor and delivery some day and want to make sure I do everything I need to be doing. Thank you for any replies I receive.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

the more education you have the more opportunities you have. i encourage everyone to at least get a bachelors degree.

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Specializes in aide.

Thank you. I thought I should probably go for a bacholers, but I wanted some opinions from nurses. now I just need to find a good school in Kentucky :) thanks again.

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Specializes in L&D/postpartum.

Where I work (somewhat rural), about 80% of the nurses on my unit have an associate's degree. There is no pay differential between an associates and bachelors degree, and because we all take the same NCLEX and have the same RN certification, there is no difference in what either degree would mean when working on the unit. Some hospitals emphasize having a bachelors, but around here there are so few options for getting that degree without moving away (not an option for many people) that if it were emphasized we'd have no staff.

If you think you'll want to be a staff nurse for awhile the associates is fine for most locations, but if you have even the slightest inclination that you might want to further your education, go into management or education, or work in a competitive hospital, then I'd continue on to get your bachelors as soon as you can, while you're still in 'school mode.'

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Specializes in Rural Health.

We have just one BSN nurse, the rest of us are all ADN graduates in our OB unit. There are a few use thinking of going back to school though - all of us want APN roles when we go back to school so we are all pursing some type of MSN program.

I second the idea of getting the most education possible while you still want to do it.

I am going back for my MSN thru an online program. I am able to utilize my previous degree, take 2 additional classes and enter the program just like someone with a BSN. I will not be issued a BSN upon graduation, just the MSN degree which is fine by me.

There are TONS of options out there for you when the time is right and when you are ready but if you think you might have any a slight indication of doing more than bedside nursing - then go for it!!!!

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Please tell me which school/program you are entering because I am in the same situation and would like to go on. Thanks

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Specializes in Rural Health.
Please tell me which school/program you are entering because I am in the same situation and would like to go on. Thanks

http://www.midwives.org

Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing.

That's not the only school - do a search on line and check out the allnurses education page to links for more schools.

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mom2michael,

When are you planning to start? What degree will you do through Frontier? I have been thinking about Women's Health, but I need to have 1 year of work experience before I can apply to the program.

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Specializes in Rural Health.
mom2michael,

When are you planning to start? What degree will you do through Frontier? I have been thinking about Women's Health, but I need to have 1 year of work experience before I can apply to the program.

It's my hope to take my 2 classes I need between now and Dec and then apply to start next Spring. It largely depends on when I can get these 2 classes completed and admission deadlines with Frontier.

I have Stats and Health Assessment left to take.

I will be doing the CNEP program (Certified Nurse Midwife). Frontier allows you to complete an advanced clinical practicum once your CNEP program is done and pending completion, etc....you can also become certified as a WHCNP.

http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=81&pid=78

And yes, Frontier requires a min. of 1 year of experience, usually, to apply (though it states in the application process that other experience *may* be considered. The experience is not required to be in Women's Health, L&D, OB, etc...... however I was strongly encouraged to have experience in OB before I applied. Not to better my chances for school but to better my chances post graduation.

I was ready to leave the ER at this point in my life - so I was just fine moving on over to OB and I love it!!!

Hope this helps!!!!

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