Time to get real -

A&OxNone, MSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

Yes the salary is fantastic but I personally wouldnt pursue yet another nursing career if I could - I would hightail my butt out of nursing and go to Engineering or Law. Basically the same amount of time in school and gonna cost about the same (can we say lifetime of Debt?).

I do understand what you are saying, really. But it may just be my area, but I know a couple of people that have graduated from law school and can't find really steady work. They dont know if they'll make $5,000 in a week, or $100. And law school was way, way more expensive than the NP programs in my area, because theres just not as many choices.

So, while I do understand what you are saying, I'd say theres not really a great field to go into these days.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

I do understand what you are saying, really. But it may just be my area, but I know a couple of people that have graduated from law school and can't find really steady work. They dont know if they'll make $5,000 in a week, or $100. And law school was way, way more expensive than the NP programs in my area, because theres just not as many choices.
So, while I do understand what you are saying, I'd say theres not really a great field to go into these days.

Yeah, there are law students (of course) who are suing their school because of a lousy job market....

A&OxNone, MSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

Yeah, there are law students (of course) who are suing their school because of a lousy job market....

I read about that!! But, from what I understood, it was more because they felt like they falsely advertised the number of their graduates that had jobs as a lawyer a year out from graduation (or something like that). Which, if that is the case, that's probably a legit complaint if they really did fudge the numbers! (but how would you prove that...? Idk!)

OCNRN63, RN · Sep 12, 2011

Okay, I am getting sick of nursing students and new grads saying the same old routine cliche tagline "All I need is 6 months of bedside experiences before I can go back and get masters and become a NP or a CRNA"
You are SOOOOOOOOOO W-R-O-N-G!
Keep dreaming if you think 6 months is going to pass for CRNA or NP qualifications.
Yes the salary is fantastic but I personally wouldnt pursue yet another nursing career if I could - I would hightail my butt out of nursing and go to Engineering or Law. Basically the same amount of time in school and gonna cost about the same (can we say lifetime of Debt?).
This whole fantasy that MANY MANY people have about NP and CRNA.....the mentality that all your time thus far in school and clinicals was just unimportant. "Just 6 months of bedside care" - Get real - more like 6 YEARS.
Nobody (few exceptions) goes from the bottom of the totem pole to the top in the blink of an eye.

One of the main reasons I will not let my care be directed by an NP. Not fond of PAs, either.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

I read only 60% law school grads had jobs that actually required a law degree, the rest are underemployed and not making the pay needed to pay back the loans. Also if they work as a DA or govt jobs, they tend to be quite low paid as well and would be difficult to pay back unless they were able to use an income contingent payback.

I used to feel nurses were rushing into NP, but now I see they usually have floor experience for a couple years plus they will still be getting experience as they go back to school and that will take several years and now many schools have already changed the requirements for an NP to a doctorate with adds another year so they will still have time to get some on the job hospital experience.

Also not everyone works as an independent NP, many are working as assistants to doctors and surgeons and that makes a difference as well. Nowadays you can look things up on google and PDA for treatments, meds, etc so there are alot of resources out there.

Lastly, yes it may be a lot of debt, but if they are young enough and health enough and have the time to pay it back it might be worth considering.

As far as the hype of engineering, you can read about engineers being laid off, age discrimination seems to be an issue, outsourcing may be part of the issue and job opening depend on what you specialize in and how good you are and if your not naturally good in math and science what is the point of going into something you would be mediocre in. I remember back in the day with tech crashing and electrical engineers were trying to get electrician jobs in CA.

KarriRN · Sep 12, 2011

I'm a new grad and although I see the benefit of experience I plan on becoming a NP as soon as possible. I'm working in LTC now (first job). Some time next year I plan on starting an RN-BSN program, through a state university somewhere bc they require more core classes the reg online schools and many NP programs require things like statistics before they will accept you. Then I plan on working for 1-2 years(time to pay down loans) and applying for an NP school my husband is military so I've been looking at online schools because I never know where I will be. Georgetown university has a new online NP program. Im hoping to go there(its a lil over a year long). Then a year(again to pay down loans) after that I will go back for my Doctorate. I want to be an NP because I have a passion for keeping people healthy. I want to help my patients avoid hospitals, avoid illnesses, and keep their chronic conditions in check. The ultimate way to do that for me is to be an FNP. So thats what I want to do. I am going to take my time and soak up as much clinical experience (with all ages) as I can. But I'm not going to wait 10 years before I go back to school just to say I have 10 RN experience. Think about it doctors simply go straight to school very few have medical jobs before hand. SO why cant NPs? I think it depends on the person, their experience, education, and desire to help you as a combination. Judging someones capabilities strictly on one of those areas is unfair and inaccurate.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

With law school I think they are simply reporting the employment rate, rather than report who actually has real law jobs. That is a common statistic used for most colleges which obviously is misleading in that people think they are going to get good paying professional jobs and that is not the case for many college grads these days!

palemoon · Sep 12, 2011

I was always under the impression that at least 2 years of RN bedside experience is ideal, and in the specialty you want to pursue. Post-RN certification (CCRN, CEN, etc.) is also helpful. Those that are serious about pursuing the NP or CRNA route will already know this.

Regardless, I get tired of these ranty, "I am SO SICK of X PEOPLE!" posts. Degrading and unnecessary.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 12, 2011

I was always under the impression that at least 2 years of RN bedside experience is ideal, and in the specialty you want to pursue. Post-RN certification (CCRN, CEN, etc.) is also helpful. Those that are serious about pursuing the NP or CRNA route will already know this.
.

Unfortunately those that are serious about running the schools don't care and will admit anyone with the funds for tuition. I went to school with many who had no experience in the speciality as well as one who had never worked as a RN in any role. :down:

allnurses Guide · Sep 12, 2011

. Then I plan on working for 1-2 years(time to pay down loans) and applying for an NP school my husband is military so I've been looking at online schools because I never know where I will be. . Think about it doctors simply go straight to school very few have medical jobs before hand. SO why cant NPs?

Doctors have 4 years of undergraduate studies, 4 years of medical school and 4 years of residency under the guidance of someone who has even more education than that. They start going to the hospital while still in medical school. The residency gets you from book knowledge at a graduated pace so by the time they are done they can actually take care of real patients.

How is a person who goes straight back to school with very little experience with actual patients, a very short residency if they have a residency at all -- and an online NP program going to do essentially the same job as a board-certified MD in Family Practice?

---- just want to add also that if a person is dead set on becoming a pathologist, a radiologist, an academic etc they still go through the process. It would be kinda funny if one of them said "why the h*** do I have to learn how to treat living people??? I plan on working with dead people! It's stupid!

PS I applaud the method and detail you are putting into your plans! Whatever you do, I wish I had that amount of discipline! Best wishes to you. :up:

KarriRN · Sep 13, 2011

How is a person who goes straight back to school with very little experience with actual patients, a very short residency if they have a residency at all -- and an online NP program going to do essentially the same job as a board-certified MD in Family Practice?
.

I obviously cant speak for everyone who wishes to be an FNP and I do agree that people who gain no clinical experience from their programs may not be well suited to the job. But for me personally I am only looking at programs with strong clinical experience incorporated into the program. I know that not all the online programs do this. Georgetown University helps you find a preceptor and clinical experiences in your area. I definitely want that because I learn by doing and I want to be proficient in my career. I also plan on working at least part time during school.