Hi David
I am a Master of Nursing (entry to practice) student. My background is in business and decided on a career change to nursing, im very happy I chose the Masters degree instead of the bachelors for a few reasons:
- all students will be mature age and already completed a degree, this will make group work and socialising better as you will be with like-minded people instead of fresh-out of highschool teenagers.
- the cohort will be smaller (usually 50-80 students) meaning smaller classes and more support from the teachers
- The teachers treat you as their equal as you are a mature age student... teachers have openly admitted they prefer teaching the master students, again due to maturity.
- You will get acute hospital placement straight away! this may depend which Uni you go to but for me i was in placed in an acute surgical ward at a major Tertiary hospital 4 weeks into the program (for bachelors you have to wait 6-8 months and you usually either get aged care or rehab).
- Another pro for placement is that you do not get sent to regional hospitals (again may depend which Uni you study with).
- majority of students from previous cohorts gained a grad year at excellent hospitals including the Royal Childrens, Royal Melbourne and The Alfred. The hospital here in melbourne look at how your clinical reports in order to evaluate your nursing skills...honestly don't think you need to work as an AIN or aged carer. Volunteer work will be good for your resume though.
-it is possible to work while doing the 2 year degree. I work 10-15 hours per week, you just have to be organised. I would continue your work with St Johns and the museum even though it is not health care based I am sure you have many transferrable skills (communication, public speaking etc).
Honestly I think doing another Bachelors degree is a waste of time and will end up costing more money. If you're an organised person who can work well under pressure you will be fine. How you perform during clinicals will be key to you getting a graduate year.