Hi everyone! This is my first post on your website... I want to say explicitly that my goal has always been to aquire a career in healthcare! Originally I was on track to become a doctor (2002-2005). It was quite difficult for me at the time being younger... girls... life choices... family trauma situations... Long story short, I completed roughly 2 1/2 years college/university before it all came crashing down along with my doctor dream.
Now, I am a 30 year old male and after many different work expiriences/fall-outs/opportunities and the like, I have an opportunity to go back to school and I've chosen to become a nurse!
I'm really quite scared... I'll be honest about that... I'm polishing up prerequisites at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, British Columbia and my current goal is to go for "Practical Nursing" mostly due to being a 2 year course as compared to 4 years BScN...
I'm scared about the school/time commitment, my age, the monthly/yearly cost involved, being away from work, future child planing in the works... heck, even how smart I am and my own habits that make it difficult on me.
I'm capable to do either direction... however, so many factors running through my head I feel like it's gonna pop before I even start! All I want is an enjoyable, stable, dynamic and growing, satisfying job where I make a difference and can care for others and help those in need! On top of that I need to face the fact that I need a decent paycheck no matter what career I choose nursing or otherwise...
My reservations currently on the subject, do have to do with money, I wont lie it's a factor for all of us who haven't won the lottery or have some hedge fund unrealistic lifestyle... I know that an RN makes more, that's a given... however, 4 years is quite a commitment and if you don't make it... you end off worse then you started. 2 years is less of a gamble with opportunity to bridge later (I suppose) however the wage is quite literally an insult for the amount of education/work RPN's (LPN's) have every day. RN's have tonnes of education/work as well... but, at least their wage is closer to the justifyable mark! Still way below where either of them should be though in my opinion.
I'm frustrated because I can go get a job in northern alberta tomorrow starting 30+/hour or become a haul truck driver for Teck Coal @ 30+/hour in my own back yard (Cranbrook). I've worked under contract for Suncor Energy (Oil/Gas) on the low scale for 7 months last winter making $27/hour@168 hours in 2 weeks. 2 on 2 off setup.... I received roughly $36,000 in 7 months (7 months where I only worked 2 weeks out of a month) at a wage much lower then the standard up there (standard appears to be around $35/hour start in any occupation in a camp). I could do many other types of jobs without any real "required" education from college/university and make a good/great wage.
I really like the idea of becoming a nurse... it is everything I wanted in the past with the same level of care and ability to make those differences in peoples lives... my happiness level would go through the roof simply because I had made it and could be proud of myself. On the other hand it doesn't appear that wages match occupation title very well... I'm so concerned this is going to blow up in my face down the road.
Is it true an RPN (LPN) receives $20-27/hr at a maximum in B.C.??? Do you get insane overtime or extra's?? What makes this a justified position outside of what I said at the beginning here (liking the idea.) Should I just go for RN and be done with it? Take the risk and do 4 years... be in the $30-40/hr range which just barely justifies getting up in the morning outside of the good you are doing (obviously).
I don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers here... however, I'm honestly freaking out about all of this... it's probably my last chance in life to make a choice like this and I wan't to know I'm doing the right thing! Heck, my brother works up northern alberta as a labour foreman (at 25 years old) and he's clearing over $45+/hr 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. He has a highschool education and barely graduated! All my years of college/university have meant absolutely jack for me... I'm really at an impass here and I need some advice/motivation or the good old kick in the butt!
Thanks for reading everyone, I really appreciate it! This career path truely means a lot to me... I need to know I'm doing the right thing.
