Career change advice

An ASN leads to an RN. An RN can lead to peds. Lots of new grads go into peds. As for the peds trauma/emergency things (like air angels and that sort of thing), I think you'd need experience as a peds nurse first.

In a major metropolitan area, usually, you'll make at least $25 an hour, sometimes a whole lot more.

Flexibility...hmmm...depends where you work, but it's not always flexible.

I am a new BScN grad here in Canada. Right after school, I managed to get a job in the Peds ICU. I have no experience in peds or Critical care from schooling, but had always been very interested in both. =) I have a full time position, but the need for staffing here in my hospital is pretty high. Some coworkers works part time (like 2 shifts a wee, etc?) and can still pick up extra. so i guess depends on what position you have, it can be pretty flexible? I agree with Whispera that $25/hr is a reasonable expectation (if not more). for me, it's 32/hr.

good luck with what ever decision you make!!

One of the only reasons you would need a BSN over an ADN is if you were planning to go back to school eventually and get your MSN (Master's Degree in Nursing), or if you are planning to be in nursing management at some point. You must have a BSN to get an MSN. Other than that there really is no distinction made on a hospital floor between BSN and ADN nurses.. It's my understanding that charge nurses on floors are typically BSN prepared (because BSN prepared RNs get all that leadership theory stuff in addition to clinical skills knowledge), but this probably varies from hospital to hospital. That's really the only difference in preparation between an ADN and a BSN, is that the BSN nurses get a lot more theory study going on, whereas ADN typically sticks strictly (or mostly) to clinical skills.

Flexibility depends largely on the hospital you work for, the floor you work on, the manager that runs the floor, and how many other RNs are employed on the floor. Typically you will either work day shift or night shift (not both), and usually you will work 12 hour shifts (7a-7p or 7p-7a), but again, this varies by hospital and floor. I work 7a-7p three days a week (and the days I work vary each week) with the option to request overtime if I want it; some hospitals have mandatory overtime, especially if they are very short staffed.

Every hospital most likely has a recruitment department that would be happy to sit down with you and talk specifics if you are interested in working for them after graduation; obviously you're not expected to sign anything just yet

Nursing has something for everyone, but I caution you to keep your mind and eyes open if you choose to enter into the field; I went in thinking I wanted to do labor and delivery, and found that my passion was really critical care, so that's what I'm working towards now as a new grad on a med/surg floor.

Get your BSN, with your EMT experience you will easily be able to get into the emergency room as a new grad. Alot of hospitals in major metrpolitain areas require BSN to enter the emergency area now.

I would like to add that the actual ADN program, the associates degree, is NOT flexible, and they recommend that you do not work.

They will give you a few classes and times you may take them, you do not get to pick your schedule. Unless you go for a specific night and weekend class, pretty much every nursing program IS full time, days, PLUS clinicals.

I agree with beachbumnrs, get a BSN, it will open more doors. Yes, you can go into peds and er with an ADN, but lets play devil's advocate for a minute, lets say you get a ADN and later on you are in a similar situation like you are in now. Board to tears or just hate being an RN, but you have a BSN and go right into a NP program, CRNA program, or you want to teach. Well with the BSN you have you can go right into that. On the other hand, with a ADN, you will first have to go back and get the BSN then go into those programs. I.E. more time, money , and frustration. Now to your questions, with a BSN some hospitals, mine included, pays more per hour for BSN -vs-ADN. I live in florida, and work in a major city at a large hospital, our pay starts at 32 an hour with a BSN. ADN's start at 30. The scheduling issue is dependant on your hospital, but in general, yes nursing is in general pretty flexible in scheduling. What shift you work is basically up to you, and what is avalible at the time, but night shift pays a pretty big diff. Good Luck with your decision!

Depends on where you can get in. I agree with the folks above that your BSN will ultimately be more valuable, both career and monetary-wise, but if you can get into an ADN, go! Nothing says you can't do a BSN online...

Good luck.

Absolutely not! ADN nurses can, and do get jobs in an emergency department. It will be fine. If you are looking for more than working in a clinical setting than a BSN would be the route to go. Administrative/Management Nursing positions tend to ask for BSN a lot. I am a diploma nurse and have always been thrown into Charge nurse positions. I have never been told that I am not wanted as a Charge nurse because i have a Diploma..."I WISH".
Good Luck