I was talking to one of my coworkers that I was thinking of furthering my nursing education. I've thought about it off and on, but always decide against it since it won't further me where I'm working. I love my job and don't intend on working else where anytime soon. Should I continue with school, just wait and see? I'm so unsure and can't see myself making a decision about it anytime soon.
Post by shostakovich on May 2, 2013 23:58:40 GMT -5
What would be your end goal - nurse practitioner? How long would completing your education take? Would you be open to pursuing other options by the time you finished school? Would your current workplace offer any sort of tuition reimbursement or other benefits for continuing your education?
What would be your end goal - nurse practitioner? How long would completing your education take? Would you be open to pursuing other options by the time you finished school? Would your current workplace offer any sort of tuition reimbursement or other benefits for continuing your education?
Sorry - lots of questions!
I would just have a university degree in science. It would likely take 4 years or so. I think one of the aspects holding me back is school placements. I hate working in some hospital environments. It's just not my thing. My workplace wouldn't offer any reimbursements, but I could get some from a provincial find for under services areas. If I would continue, I could work in the OR, which is the only hospital area I really like, or with the health unit. Vaccines are an interest, but one I can pursue with my current job. I guess it wouldn't hurt me to go back, but I'm not sure if I want to spend 10+ hours away from home every week. Since I would be doing it part time, it would take longer, but make it more manageable for me.
Post by shostakovich on May 3, 2013 0:09:37 GMT -5
I think if you want to pursue another area of work, like in the OR, it would be worth it. You just have to weigh the pros (finding an area of your field that really interests you and is fulfilling) with the cons (the time, and the cost).
For me, deciding to go back to school was basically the realization that, while I technically liked my job, it wasn't always going to be enough for me and wasn't where I wanted to be long term.
I'm in the same situation as you. There's a big push to get your BSN. I have a bachelor of science in another area and then my ADN. I went to college for 6 years and am not thrilled at the thought of going back. I have no desire to be a nurse practitioner because I feel like I would hate it and I love the interaction involved with being a bedside nurse. I already have my dream job so there's no career advancement. I still feel the pressure though.
I'm in the same situation as you. There's a big push to get your BSN. I have a bachelor of science in another area and then my ADN. I went to college for 6 years and am not thrilled at the thought of going back. I have no desire to be a nurse practitioner because I feel like I would hate it and I love the interaction involved with being a bedside nurse. I already have my dream job so there's no career advancement. I still feel the pressure though.
This is exactly it. I love my job and don't want to trade that interaction for management. Becoming a nurse practitioner doesn't intrest me in the slightest. There just seems to be such a push for a degree. I hate nursing education levels. I know I know more than many higher educated nurses due to experience, but don't have a degree on a wall to back it up.
Exactly. I surpassed a couple of BSN grads in my unit quickly when I graduated due to experience opportunities and I don't feel like they're better nurses than me at all. It's frustrating. I feel like the main difference is management and leadership classes. I was a charge nurse 6 months out of nursing school leading a unit. I have zero interest in management. WHY do I feel like I need to do this??