[chaundrah]

I am a 35yr old Stay at home Mother of 2 children. My family will be making the transition into the ministry and working in underdeveloped countries either in a missional capacity or with a humanitarian organization. I have a BS in Health Education and prior to staying at home worked as a Pharmaceutical Rep. Honestly, I never felt that I was doing any good except bringing home a nice paycheck and doing the corporate thing. At this stage of life, I want to transition into a second career to take with me into the field that I can actually use to help people. The logical and heartfelt choice would be either nursing or PA training.

My question is, can anyone give me some guidance (or just opinion) as to what would be the most useful internationally? Also, the best all around "Value"? How neccesary is BSN training versus Rn training in under developed countries doing this kind of mission work? Would getting a PA degree be a better all around, all purpose choice in this situation? I would not be using this training to gain formal employment overseas, but for volunteer work.

Any insight is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

[Dixiecup]

Does the volunteer work have education requirments? You have a BS so you don't need to go through a full BSN program, and it would be a step down to get an ADN in nursing, plus you have no experience as a RN. The PA degree, a masters degree, would serve you well in treating patients. You may also be able to get a masters in nursiing, but check at the local university.

Best Wishes

[cassioo]

my moms best friend did mission work in the phillipens(sp) she had a hospital diploma from years before but had lots of experience before she went into the mission work. One of the women from my class is now there doing mission work she worked as a school nurse for about 5 years and before that in a factory as a LPN for 20 years. I'd talk to the people with whatever mission you are interested in what requirements they have/need

[nursinghumor]

[ QUOTE ]
Dixiecup said:
Does the volunteer work have education requirments? You have a BS so you don't need to go through a full BSN program, and it would be a step down to get an ADN in nursing, plus you have no experience as a RN.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depending on how long ago she got her BS and the requirements of the program, a little or a lot of the credits may transfer towards a BSN. Either way, she'd be looking at a few years of school going for a BSN.

I had a BS in laboratory science when I decided to go for nursing. I chose an ADN program because I could take only the nursing clinicals/lecture in an accelerated program and get an RN license in 12 months. Getting a BSN would have been nice, but would also have required a few more years of school.

Don't know alot about PA's sorry. Do know that Nurse Practitioners are in higher demand in healthcare settings. The argument has been made that they are cheaper than PAs and can function in almost the same capacity for providing primary care and have a more holistic training. It would probably be more than adequate for a mission setting.

Getting several years experience after graduation would be key no matter what you decide. The degree alone would not prepare you for providing care in "the bush" without on the job skills to reinforce it.

Hope that helps.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[Dixiecup]

I see your from the east coast. In California the APN is not in demand, or wanted in So. Calif. This is MD territory. Only one HMO uses APN's to include the VA, and military hospitals. I can't wait to get back east, where the real nurses are, and where nurses can have goals other than admin.