Going back to school???

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by a mom, Nov 28, 2006.

Loading...
  1. a mom

    a mom New Member

    I have an Associates degree in Nursing and worked until three years ago as a hospital supervisor. Due to my son's educational needs, I quit working. However, that will wind down over the next two years when he starts at a university.

    I'm almost fifty and am considering taking some online classes and getting my bachelors. I really don't want to go back into nursing and no longer have the stomach for patient care (not because of the patients but because of other issues) or dealing with staffing shortages on a management level. I have considered hospice, but know emotionally I would only last a few years.

    Currently, we care for foster children and I'm thinking of possibly going into social work of some sort or another although I know that will have its own set of frustrations.

    I really don't care about the income per se, since I make nothing now. I'm more interested in an inexpensive DL program, transferring the 100+ credit hours I have, and not having to take college algebra or stats.

    Any suggestions as to the degree or program or otherwise? Or at my age should I foget the whole thing and just go with hospice nursing until I burn out emotionally. :confused:
     
  2. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    Mom,

    Maybe you should consider doing something in the arts (visual, performance, etc.). I recommend you taking time to look at the book: The Artist's Way. This is an amazing book that helps each of us get in touch with those areas that nurture us. It is also a journey in healing. My wife has gone through it and it has done wonders in her life in terms of helping her to get in touch with her inner femininity and beauty.
    It has helped her to find those areas that nurture her and energize her.

    You can look at the description of the book at:

    http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Spiritual-Creativity-Workbook/dp/0874776945

    Also the author's web site is:

    http://www.theartistsway.com/?section=1&sub=1

    Hope this helps some.
     
  3. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    Mom,

    One of the areas that I have studied hard and work with folks in is the area of burnout. Burnout has three components, typically (as per Maslack's model). It has three areas that you may consider evaluating in your life on a scale of 0-10 each to give you an idea how much burnout you have and if you are close to "scorched earth" status where you would never, ever want to go back to nursing.
    The areas are:

    1. Cynicism - Those you vowed to help you are now resenting, criticizing, making fun of, etc.

    2. Emotional Exhaustion - little or no emotional reserves that give you "zest" or able to have a positive outlook. Affect is flat, blunt, and/or numb.

    3. Percieved Inequities - Not getting "paid" in tangible and/or intangible ways, such as sufficient money, praise, promotions, etc that outweigh the negative aspects of the job.

    Hope this helps, Mom!
     
  4. RobbCD

    RobbCD New Member

    You may want to consider going back to work as a nurse, but in a private medical practice setting. Physician offices around here are constantly looking for qualified nurses to work in their practices, and if you can find work in a "clean" specialty (cardiology, dermatology, etc) then your exposure to patients will be quick and friendly. Since you have management experience, you might consider persuing certification by a professional body instead of a degree. The Medical Group Management Association ( www.mgma.org ) offers a board certification in medical practice management. Healthcare is a growing field, and there are many more facets to the industry than just inpatient hospital care. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

    Oh, and for the sake of disclosure, I'm a board certified member of the MGMA.
     
  5. a mom

    a mom New Member

    Tried posting last night, but it wouldn't go through. I'll try again.

    Blackbird, it was interesting reading about the three components of burn-out. One and three don't apply, but # 2 definitely does! Between dealing with the educational needs of my gifted son and the emotional needs of our foster children, I don't have much left over to give! Thanks for the link to the book. I'll take a look at it. Part of me wants to start 'something' so I'll be prepared and ready to go back to work when my son leaves home and the other part of me wants to wait until I have more energy (emotionally and physically).

    RobbCD, thanks for the suggestion. Duh, I had forgotten all about Dr. offices. I tried one once, but soon grew bored and missed the pace and challenge of ER/ICU nursing. That was before my management days. At this point and time, I would not be bored and would enjoy dealing with less acute patients and issues. I'll take a look at the link too. Thanks again.
     
  6. fortiterinre

    fortiterinre New Member

    Hi A Mom,

    I am in Social Work school myself now, and there are very few online BSW programs. But the good news is that if you are an RN you can probably do lots of social work with that credential and won't even need additional degrees for lots of jobs. Good luck--
     
  7. ShotoJuku

    ShotoJuku New Member

    Have you looked at Excelsior, they have a "School of Nursing" offering AS/BS degrees - www.excelsior.edu - Good Luck!!
     

Share This Page