Seven years ago (crap has it really been that long?) when I graduated from nursing school I had vowed I was going to go on to finish my bachelors degree immediately. Of course life got in the way. Working full time and finding an affordable option played a part. Also it just didn't seem that fun or necessary and I never did go back. Now here I am seven years later and it's starting to look more necessary although still doesn't really look all that fun. Honestly I can't say I have a huge desire for higher education. It won't make a large difference in my level of of pay (if any difference at all) and I truly have no desire to go into management. I'm one of those people who is a really good worker bee. I'm great at going to work, doing my job etc. I have no desire to be in charge in any way, shape, sort or form. However there is an ongoing push for RN's to have a bachelors degree and some of the hospitals I've been looking at for possible future employment strongly prefer or almost require it. Where I'm at now, it's fine. Not a big deal. However I'm not sure this is where I'll be 10 years from now. I like Fresno but I really want to live somewhere closer to the coast. At least one of the hospitals I'm interested in possibly wants that BSN. So I started thinking about the future a bit.
For the next 3 years I plan to stay put here for sure. It's affordable here and I like my job. I've got 3 more years of payments on my bankruptcy. Once that's finished though I will have more money and more options. In other words I can decide to live elsewhere even if it is more expensive as I won't have as much money going into bills. My thoughts are that if I can manage to finish my bachelors degree in the next 3 years as well, then when I start looking else where for employment I will have that little extra that makes me an even better choice. So I started looking around this weekend. Not being someone who just sits and contemplates for too long I'm jumping right in. This morning I've applied to a school and sent a request for my transcripts to be sent. It feels like a really big step. It also feels like being done with that is so far away but I know the time will pass quickly and while I'm working on paying stuff off and waiting until I can really jump into my plan B why not work to make myself a better nurse in the process. So, wish me luck on going back to school. At least this time I can do it in my jammies as it's online!
For the next 3 years I plan to stay put here for sure. It's affordable here and I like my job. I've got 3 more years of payments on my bankruptcy. Once that's finished though I will have more money and more options. In other words I can decide to live elsewhere even if it is more expensive as I won't have as much money going into bills. My thoughts are that if I can manage to finish my bachelors degree in the next 3 years as well, then when I start looking else where for employment I will have that little extra that makes me an even better choice. So I started looking around this weekend. Not being someone who just sits and contemplates for too long I'm jumping right in. This morning I've applied to a school and sent a request for my transcripts to be sent. It feels like a really big step. It also feels like being done with that is so far away but I know the time will pass quickly and while I'm working on paying stuff off and waiting until I can really jump into my plan B why not work to make myself a better nurse in the process. So, wish me luck on going back to school. At least this time I can do it in my jammies as it's online!
10 comments:
I'm a worker bee too...my boss keeps trying to convince me I could do more in my career but I have no desire to be a "boss"...good for you for going back to school...if only we could live life in our jammies, I'd be happy!!
My mother is an RN and has an associates degree. She has zero interest in getting her bachelors. It just seems like a lot of work for no additional work recognition and she also has no interest in being in management. She's even done that and hated it. Good luck!
Good for you for deciding to finish your bachelor degree!! And how nice that you can do it all online :-). Wishing you luck!
Good luck! it sounds great to have more career options.
but i understand your frustration. i am a nurse practitioner and those of us with masters are being grandfathered in... as of 2014 a PhD is required and i can't for the life of me figure out why. hoping i don't have to go back for a PhD in this lifetime!
Ugh Abby! That sucks. Definitely causes a problem if you're still working on the whole NP process.
Well, all the best to you!
And it's online? That's wonderful!
Congrats - that IS a big step!! I was in your same boat - I went back for my BSN a few years after getting my associates. Not for any real reason, just a personal goal. I don't think I would ever go further, I don't have any interest in upper level management either. But I think having a BSN will open up more doors for you in the future even if it doesn't make much of a difference now. And it will feel good to cross it off your bucket list!!
I love school.
What a big step! Good luck!
Just stopping by to say "Hi". I have gotten way, way behind checking on my Bloggy friends...Glad to read that you're doing well & congrats on going back to school! :)
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