OT: Followup on Bariatrician ? from other day

Well.. it looks like I'm going to be a nurse, first. I spoke with the dean of ECU's PA program, and she advised me that I should have a "backup plan."  Apparantly, everyone else thinks that PA is a cool thing to do, and it can take years to get enrolled due to high-volume of applicants. So, knowing it's a Master's level course, I need a Bachelor's degree first.  Preferrably one that I can work with until I get into the PA program, which could take awhile even after my BS is earned. So I was looking at 3 majors with their "backup plans"  A bio major leaves me with teaching middle or high school as a backup.. nutrition (which, hey, is still a contender) gives me an opportunity to be an RD, or bachelor's in Nursing. I'm going Nursing because it has two backups.  I can work at a RN and then go for my PA, or I can go for the MSN and become a Nurse Practitioner. Just thought I'd update with my plans.  I'm still going to go into Bariatrics.. but it may be a bit more circuitous than I had originally planned.

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

That's the plan.

You know, I was just thinking today about your plans, and wondering if you had considered becoming an NP?  I work at the Duke SON (I'm not a nurse), so that's always something I think of.  There are 2 NPs working at the Duke WLS.  I've only met one, and she is WONDERFUL!  Not sure if the practice in Greenville has any NPs, but might be worth talking with them as well, to get their perspective.  Let me know if you want the contact info at Duke, or if you have any questions about Duke's SON.  Best of luck!!  BTW, love the new avatar--very nice pic

Hey Andrea, Good for you, Hon!  Another good career path for nurses is clinical trials.  Don't know if that interests you or not, but I know a good number of nurses who go that route.  Won't necessarily allow for bariatrics, but maybe it can be something while you're waiting to get into PA school.  After doing preclinical drug development for 10 years, I started going back to school to Durham tech to get a certificate in it.  There's definitely mor emoney in it than being a lab rat all these years.  Luckily I started a new job with a small biotech company in Jan. and I'm working with old friends so it's kind of a detour from clinical, but I'm still in school since this is my "back-up plan".  Never hurts to have one.   Congrats on the "plan" - hope the time will go quickly for you so you can get started.  Woot!

Thanks. BTW -- love the new avie :-)

Sounds like a great plan, Andrea!  My sister just started nursing school.  I'll tell you, you certainly won't have any trouble finding a job as a nurse, they always seem to be in high demand.   Good luck with school, I'm sure you'll do well.  Thanks for updating us!

I am so proud of you Andrea. Look at you go you took control and are turning things around. BTW I am now able to do 20 minutes in the elliptical working on the magic 30 minutes. I am up to 20 on the rowing machine I am so glad to have these machines it works for me.                                    Annie

Well, coming from a nurse ... I'm excited to see you entering nursing as a profession!  And with nursing, the sky is the limit really.  There is also a bariatric certification you can earn in nursing.  You have to work with bariatric patients for 2 years prior to sitting for the exam, but it's out there.  And you'll get to where you want to be eventually with a fantastic backup!