Colorado Technical University

Pursuing a nursing career. I need a more stable concrete plan or feedback on the one I already made..?

This is my current career track, I made it on my own.I am starting with a CNA -NT - LPN or get an associate RN. after that my plans kind of fizzle. I chose this field because I am a caring patient compassionate person and taking care of others is more of a personal responsibility to me than a job and I had that one great AP teacher who helped me to grasp how your body works. I have attended a tech school for my CNA while working in elder home care. Now that I am almost finish my CNA courses, I was told a few area hospitals will hire and train me as a Nurse Tech. So while working in that I am considering an associate RN or LPN and from their I am kind of unsure. I have considered trying the ultrasounds and MRI type jobs they go through less school, take care of less patients it is not as demanding and it has a good future forecast it will also offer me the same ability to care for patient. I have spoken to people in the field, worked, and offered long term bedside care for a few friends & family members and I checked out Occupation Outlook Guide. I am interested in nursing for my near future (10-20 years) but I want the freedom to opt out in my later years (45 years old and beyond). I am also interested in teaching and I know that is possible with a BA. I am not really interested in going all the way up the normal nursing career ladder because I am not a very competitive person. I could see myself as a teacher, councilor maybe even a program director. I thrive in areas where I am free and able to be creative in a more relaxed regime and if it counts I still hate math. My greatest concern is going through school and still having my options boxed into one job (and a truly demanding one at that). Also the school to benefit factor plays a strong role I want each educational pursuit to bring a greater return than the last. Since the medical field is a specific field I wonder if I will be able to move around in different fields (not conclusive to nursing). I do not want my career to be a student, I need a career where I can get in get out then work and eventually retire comfortably with time to explore my zany interest (such as running my own summer camp maybe even a boarding school for teen moms and their babies or even just a private preschool) . I am a wife and mother so I am working around a family and my career choices have to revolve around the ability to work while learning and raising a family. ADVISE,ADVISE ADVISE..... My goal is to get a realistic grasp of how to pursue my interest and get a *fluid* career path that embraces my needs, personality and interest even if that means going back to square one ( I need a ABC instructions plain simple and to the point to stay on track) When I said teaching I meant at a University in the Allied Health classes as an next step from nursing.

Public Comments

1. If you want to be a nurse, a BSN will give you the most diverse opportunities. You will be paid more and more hireable. You could teach nursing. Working as a CNA will give you a good idea about whether you have the passion and drive to pursue this. You seem to be considering many possibiliies.
2. Go for nursing first since that's what you are really interested in and has the most opportunities available. Then you can go back to school for Sonography or Radiologic Technology. I know that for ultrasound, you can find a program that is only 1 year in length if you already have a degree like nursing.