Writing The Next Chapter Of My Nursing Career

[AWanderingMinstral]

My two-year tuition forgiveness contract expires in early August and I'm writing to seek some advice as to what my next move should be. At the end of the day, I realize that I have to make the final decision, but I appreciate input from seasoned nurses and those who may not be nurses, but who have, at this point, earned a doctorate from the school of life.

By the time my contract expires, I will have two years of experience on an orthopedics/urology medical/surgical unit. I have to be honest and say that I don't love bedside nursing. My attitude is that I have way too many student loans to be treated like a well-paid waiter. In addition, I consider myself a cerebral person and, well, there aren't a lot of "thinkers" on my unit (i.e. someone once told me not to vote for Obama because he was a "Muslin"). My life goal is to see as much of the world as possible. As a bedside nurse in orthopedics/urology, that isn't likely to happen. Therefore, I have arrived at three possible options for the next chapter in my nursing career:

1) Graduate school (in New York) - I have applied to a combined MSN/MPH program in New York and, because of its affordability, it's on the top of my list. In addition, I served in the Peace Corps prior to attending nursing school and, as a nurse with a master's degree in public health, I should be able to secure a position abroad. My closest friends live in New York and, while the cost of living is high, I can earn a decent salary as a nurse (while attending graduate school on a part-time basis) and have a nice quality of life.

2) Considering I have been in school for four years (first earning a diploma and now finishing my BSN), I wouldn't mind spending a year as a travel nurse. While there are financial incentives, I am aware of the tax ramifications of travel nursing. My greatest concern is landing a position in ONLY orthopedics (and possibly rehabilitation). I am hoping, with a list of 20 possible cities, that a large agency could find me reliable work.

3) Due to my interest in public health, I am considering applying to serve in the US Public Health Service. There are many financial incentives to serve in the Commissioned Corps and it would enable me to live in different parts of the country every couple of years. My greatest concern is being a gay man. Many of the people I have spoken with have told me that being gay in the USPHS "isn't that big of a deal." However, I have taken too many steps forward in my life in the past decade to take several steps back.

Any advice regarding these three options would be greatly appreciated. :typing

[SharonH, RN]

My two-year tuition forgiveness contract expires in early August and I'm writing to seek some advice as to what my next move should be. At the end of the day, I realize that I have to make the final decision, but I appreciate input from seasoned nurses and those who may not be nurses, but who have, at this point, earned a doctorate from the school of life.

By the time my contract expires, I will have two years of experience on an orthopedics/urology medical/surgical unit. I have to be honest and say that I don't love bedside nursing. My attitude is that I have way too many student loans to be treated like a well-paid waiter. In addition, I consider myself a cerebral person and, well, there aren't a lot of "thinkers" on my unit (i.e. someone once told me not to vote for Obama because he was a "Muslin"). My life goal is to see as much of the world as possible. As a bedside nurse in orthopedics/urology, that isn't likely to happen. Therefore, I have arrived at three possible options for the next chapter in my nursing career:

1) Graduate school (in New York) - I have applied to a combined MSN/MPH program in New York and, because of its affordability, it's on the top of my list. In addition, I served in the Peace Corps prior to attending nursing school and, as a nurse with a master's degree in public health, I should be able to secure a position abroad. My closest friends live in New York and, while the cost of living is high, I can earn a decent salary as a nurse (while attending graduate school on a part-time basis) and have a nice quality of life.

2) Considering I have been in school for four years (first earning a diploma and now finishing my BSN), I wouldn't mind spending a year as a travel nurse. While there are financial incentives, I am aware of the tax ramifications of travel nursing. My greatest concern is landing a position in ONLY orthopedics (and possibly rehabilitation). I am hoping, with a list of 20 possible cities, that a large agency could find me reliable work.

3) Due to my interest in public health, I am considering applying to serve in the US Public Health Service. There are many financial incentives to serve in the Commissioned Corps and it would enable me to live in different parts of the country every couple of years. My greatest concern is being a gay man. Many of the people I have spoken with have told me that being gay in the USPHS "isn't that big of a deal." However, I have taken too many steps forward in my life in the past decade to take several steps back.

Any advice regarding these three options would be greatly appreciated. :typing

Those all sound like great options and it sounds as if you are going to have a great career ahead of you. The beauty of this profession is the numerous opportunites you have before you.

As for number 3, I used to work for Federal Occupational Health which is a division of the USPHS and while I am not gay, there were gay people who worked for them. So while I cannot testify as to what your experience might be like, I do believe that the friends who told you that it would not be that big of a deal may be right. Why do you feel otherwise?

[AWanderingMinstral]

SharonH, RN, thank you for your input. In regards to the USPHS, I'm reluctant to sign a contract for four years and find myself having to "live in the shadows." I don't want to have to worry about whether a superior knows that I'm dating a man, etc. Make sense? So, would you recommend the USPHS (over the other options)? If so, why? THANKS!

[AWanderingMinstral]

Now, I KNOW you folks on allnurses have A LOT of opinions. ANY THOUGHTS?!?!?!

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Have you considered a travel assignment out west? In the Az, NM, west Tx area of the country? It may answer some of your questions without causing you permnant relocation problems. I do not understand your comment about being gay and the USPHS, so I will leave that to someone who perhaps has more knowledge than I do. Good luck on your new path.

[AWanderingMinstral]

Have you considered a travel assignment out west? In the Az, NM, west Tx area of the country? It may answer some of your questions without causing you permnant relocation problems. I do not understand your comment about being gay and the USPHS, so I will leave that to someone who perhaps has more knowledge than I do. Good luck on your new path.

I am DEFINITELY considering travel nursing for a year, but, well, I'm apprehensive. My two years of experience will be in orthopedics. My understanding is that, unless specified in one's contract (and even then), travelers are the first to be pulled and I don't want to find myself in over my head. To bolster my confidence, I think I am going to take some casual or per diem work at another local hospital in the next month or so and try to branch out a bit. Thank you for your input.

[Aneroo, LPN]

(i.e. someone once told me not to vote for Obama because he was a "Muslin").

At least he isn't a Satinist. LOL

You have some great options. I'd do school while you can, get that behind you, and then return with the public health background. But that's just me.

Or travel the country for a while doing travel nursing and put it aside for tuition money so you won't have to sign a contract again!