Help! 2nd degree hopeful needs advice about becoming a transplant coordinator

[Womanonajourney]

I recently completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree but somewhere along the line, perhaps. . .during my medical social work internship I became interested in nursing. I was orginally planning to pursue an MSW immediately but am now considering nursing programs. I have 2 choices a 2nd degree BSN program that would take roughly 3 years to complete or an ADN program that would take 21 months. . .a little less than a year to complete. I am wondering if having a BSN would give me better career prospects/better pay than the combination of a BSW and ADN? Also, how do you think employers will view the combination of education and skills? I would like to work with cardiology or kidney patients and move to the area of patient education and ultimately become a transplant coordinator. Later (much later) I'd like to establish a therapy practice and work with patients and families coping with chronic illness. . .so I was thinking that I'd complete an ADN and get a master's in rehabilitation counseling or social work later instead of a BSN & MSN. Any advice welcome! Thanks!!

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[core0]

I recently completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree but somewhere along the line, perhaps. . .during my medical social work internship I became interested in nursing. I was orginally planning to pursue an MSW immediately but am now considering nursing programs. I have 2 choices a 2nd degree BSN program that would take roughly 3 years to complete or an ADN program that would take 21 months. . .a little less than a year to complete. I am wondering if having a BSN would give me better career prospects/better pay than the combination of a BSW and ADN? Also, how do you think employers will view the combination of education and skills? I would like to work with cardiology or kidney patients and move to the area of patient education and ultimately become a transplant coordinator. Later (much later) I'd like to establish a therapy practice and work with patients and families coping with chronic illness. . .so I was thinking that I'd complete an ADN and get a master's in rehabilitation counseling or social work later instead of a BSN & MSN. Any advice welcome! Thanks!!

Your screen name really does you justice. First of all transplant coordinator. All of our transplant coordinators are RNs. I do not think that this is a requirement but I have never met a coordinator that is not an RN. Another option to consider is that most states have a direct entry RN program that is about one year for someone that already has a degree. The ADN vs BSN does not seem to matter here but may at other programs. Usually there is a manager position within the coordinators that is a BSN or MSN position.

As far as the other plans there are a number of ways to do what you want. Another way may be to do a BSN then a CNS or NP in psych which would also allow you to counseling (and bill Medicare).

David Carpenter, PA-C

 

[foreverLaur]

I recently completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree but somewhere along the line, perhaps. . .during my medical social work internship I became interested in nursing. I was orginally planning to pursue an MSW immediately but am now considering nursing programs. I have 2 choices a 2nd degree BSN program that would take roughly 3 years to complete or an ADN program that would take 21 months. . .a little less than a year to complete. I am wondering if having a BSN would give me better career prospects/better pay than the combination of a BSW and ADN? Also, how do you think employers will view the combination of education and skills? I would like to work with cardiology or kidney patients and move to the area of patient education and ultimately become a transplant coordinator. Later (much later) I'd like to establish a therapy practice and work with patients and families coping with chronic illness. . .so I was thinking that I'd complete an ADN and get a master's in rehabilitation counseling or social work later instead of a BSN & MSN. Any advice welcome! Thanks!!

There are a lot of programs out there that allow you to get your BSN in 1 full year. We have a ton of them in my state including four within 30 minutes of my hometown. I'm planning on entering one as soon as I get my psychology degree (March 09). If you ever plan to go any advanced practice nursing, you will need a BSN and a lot of the critical care specialties for RNs prefer a BSN, but do not require it. However, if an ADN takes 21 months, why not get BSN in less time since you already have a degree?

Here is a link to all the accelerated BSN programs in the nation (ignore the last page - it is for MSN programs).

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF

 

[Jawbone]

I agree with David...

I would recommend going the BSN route, as many hospitals are going to a BSN minimum requirement for any management/coordinator positions.(MSNs are required in my hospital) That's not to say you couldn't get your ADN, and complete your BSN at a slower pace while gaining experience. I would imagine you'd need some significant experience in transplant care at the nursing level before moving up to transplant coordinator. Like David said, a MSN/NP could be very beneficial to your practice and would allow much more flexibility, as well as billing power.