I think I just might stay in school for the rest of my life....

[Persistent_Study]

There is one upside to earning multiple degrees over just focusing on one area that I neglected to mention. Among jobs where just any ole degree will not do, having certain additional degrees can increase your employ-ability, meaning if you can not, or do not want to get a job in one degree-based field, then you have the option of doing so in another. Granted they may be entry level positions within their respective field, any degree-based job is going to be better than working at McDonald's I think. So whether or not having this kind flexibility is more important than acquiring years of experience, and rising to the top of any given profession is a question only you can answer.

Should you focus on a career in the medical field, and particularly so within nursing, I don't think getting a job would be an issue for you as there are probably more nursing jobs out there than there are of any other type. So in that case, the question just becomes whether or not it's what you really want to do as having multiple degrees simply for the sake of having a job would seem unnecessary in that case.

[Persistent_Study]

The nursing job market is very tough at the moment for all new grads, traditional and otherwise.

Really? I thought nursing was one of the easiest jobs to get into provided you have the necessary education to qualify for a position. I even thought about going into it once myself until I learned about the waiting lists.

[Snickerdoodle]

Really? I thought nursing was one of the easiest jobs to get into provided you have the necessary education to qualify for a position. I even thought about going into it once myself until I learned about the waiting lists.

It was...until about 5 years ago. Problem is, people are still thinking that it's easy to get a nursing job. Just google "new grad RN jobs" and you'll find threads of angry, disappointed new grads who can't find a job, even any job. Unfortunately I know a lot of jobless new grad RNs. The OP has some CNA experience, which will help, but I've heard of folks with such experience who are still facing challenges getting hired. The thing is, this economy has more of the older RNs back in the workforce, who normally would retire by now. And a few years back, hospitals were hiring new grads left and right and even putting them in charge positions because of the severe shortage. Now they've realized that new grads simply can't fill charge positions and are extremely cautious about new grads. One of the major healthcare provider systems in my area has explicitly forbidden any new grads from applying to open positions--and that provider is our largest teaching hospital. So yes, there is still a shortage, but employers have different mindsets now. However, those older RNs will have to retire eventually, whether they want to or not, so in a few years, the story will change. At least that's what I'm hoping, because I'm pre-nursing! banghead

[amielm]

Yeah, I'm not too thrilled with the waiting list idea myself. I also, recently heard that the nursing job market was a tab rough right now! Who knows, LOL....This is why I drive myself crazy....

[sanantone]

I've also heard it's hard for new nursing graduates, but the job market should be better for nurse practitioners.

Aside from the application and transcript fees, it wouldn't hurt to apply to the PA, ABSN, and other masters programs of interest to see which ones you are accepted to and compare tuition.

[amielm]

I think you are right! I'm feeling good about this plan more and more. So I think I have my dilemma solved; I'll bust my butt to start testing and complete my BA at TESC and then I'll just apply to the programs I'm interested in, be it PA, or ABSN and see what I get accepted into! I much rather have too many acceptance offers to choose from then none at all....I'm bound to get accepted into at least of my choices....At least I hope so! I'm starting to feel a weight lifted off of my chest. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and help!

[Snickerdoodle]

I've also heard it's hard for new nursing graduates, but the job market should be better for nurse practitioners.

Aside from the application and transcript fees, it wouldn't hurt to apply to the PA, ABSN, and other masters programs of interest to see which ones you are accepted to and compare tuition.

:iagree: Sounds like a plan! The market for NPs is better, but what I was trying to say earlier is that online-prepared NPs may have a slight disadvantage. Not to sound like a wet blanket though. Go for it, amielm! Apply and see what happens! That's what I'm doing too!

[bluebooger]

I looked into some PA programs a long time back in NYC and they did ONLY classroom learning the first year and nothing but clinicals and rotations the following year

however all the NP programs I've looked at seem to something like 3 days classes/2 days clinicals from the start