Nursing is my second career. It wasn’t until I was 29 years old that I was accepted into my nursing program. I received my associates and sat for the NCLEX. While beginning my career in my first nursing position as a Medical-Surgical nurse, I quickly enrolled in a bachelors program. Many professors told us when looking for a job it would look better to be entered in a BSN program. After three years of prerequisites, two years of core nursing classes, then a straight year, spring, summer and fall semesters, I have my BSN. I am not going to be as quick to find a Masters program.
#1 I need a break
I had spent a straight six years in school studying. The amount of study time prevented me from attending several social and family experiences or at least shortening the duration. The anxiety and stress that is accustomed to nursing play a toll on the person. After all that time, energy and stress, much to anyone’s surprise I need a break. I have put so much of myself on hold in acquiring these degrees and being able to take the time to rest from the academic life to gain perspective.
#2 I want to concentrate on my work
Graduation from my BSN program means more concentration to other things. A brand new nurse I am still learning, although almost a year into position and I find now I am finally in some kind of routine and familiarity with my shift to shift. I consistently come across new procedures, medications, and uncommon diseases that require a little bit of research on my part and although the quick internet search that answered an immediate question but not enough to learn extensively about new subjects. My days off, I am not struggling to complete readings, studying, writing papers, or finding time to put in clinical hours. The open time allows me to look into questions that came up the night before. Another great action is perfecting my brain sheet, the sheet allows for notes and better communication.
#3 I want to regain a sense of self
The amount of time nursing school took up, between prerequisite, and two degrees, years of family and friend events took to the back burner. The school was my main priority during this time, followed shortly by work and attempting to not fall behind in bills. It became an issue when a new person asked me “what are your hobbies, what do you do for fun?” The only answer coming to mind included napping and walking my dog. I would walk my dog as a way to get out of the house during intense study sessions for 30 minutes. So much of my personality and social norms changed. A break from the classroom will give me time to find out who I am, to discover a creative outlook pushed past the research paper. I love to read, during nurse school, one book took me over a year to learn. The reading mostly took place during the summer month or holidays. I have slowly uncovered a pile of books to read. The time to recover my sense of self and creativity.
#4 So many majors
The most significant difference between undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing is that the graduate degrees become more specific. When achieving a BSN in nursing, the same criteria is expected no matter the school. Entering into a Masters program decisions are needed, do you want to continue to be with patients, administration, or education. Each degree has specific goals and graduation outlook. This is where a degree will also turn to a specialty Family, Geriatric, Pediatric, Psych, etc. The majors out there depends on where you want your career to continue. Right now I am not 100% sure of where I want to be, so extensive research is needed to find my right career path.
#5 So many schools
When completing the research for the exact major, one may also notice that not every college holds every master’s program. Each college has a few masters programs and its different school. Once you find the major, it becomes the search for the right program. Is the program online, traditional, or hybrid? Do you live near the school? Is the college in a different state in which you need to hold a license in that state? Does the program include clinical hours? If so, do they set up the clinical site or does the student? Each school needs to be looked at individually, and the entire curriculum needs to be considered. A significant number of considerations is required when compared to an undergraduate program.
I will enroll into a masters program after I am able to discover who I am, tackle some life changes, travel, and take the proper amount of time to know what I want to do, not just jump into a masters program.