Reality check: Are my expectations high?

[lewisac6]

*Long story short: I'm an above average student able to get into a top ranked school for my BSN. Will being a top student at a top university affect me making more than $21 an hour during my first five years, as the nurses I've shadowed have warned me?

I'm a male high school junior about to start applying to colleges. I really want to do nursing, but after lurking on this board for months, I'm worried that I might expect it to be a bit 'better' financially and job-market wise than it actually is. I know that for the average person the posts here apply, but so far I haven't really considered myself an average applicant. For background information, I have a 2100 SAT and will retake it again this Summer, likely for a better score. I have a very high GPA and have worked a part time job for minimum wage since I was a freshman, so I'm definitely not against hard work. Also, I've been enrolled in college (similar to dual enrollment) at a high ranked public university since freshmen year, full time for 2 years now (so I'm essentially a high-school kid in name only). In my college classes I've been with reg. students and professors and have a 3.8 GPA. Essentially, I'm fairly confident that I can get into a top-ranked program such as UNC-Chapel Hill and I'm positive I will be able to handle getting a BSN. Will having all of these things 'going for me' make any impact at all in not starting out making $40,000 a year?

I'm under the impression that if I go to a top 10 school and graduate near the top of my class, I'll be able to get a nice job making a little less than what is reported as an average salary for a nurse, and get a job in a hospital fairly easily. After job-shadowing a nurse at the local hospital (reassuring me that nursing is my career choice), I got told that all of the extra credentials (top of class, great program, relative minority) I'll be lucky to get a sucky hospital job working night shift for a couple years at $20 an hour. Are my expectations high?

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I don't think any of the posts were "unprofessional" or showing "claws." OP was not shy about why he deserves more money & better jobs, and posters were not shy about why he's not necessarily going to get it. It's fair game to me.

@OP, nursing is tough but it is not incredibly intellectual. It requires things beyond academics if you are to become a great nurse. That's why superior academics won't really make you worth more because it just isn't what matters most.

But I think if you get a degree from a top BSN program you should be able to get a job at a good hospital as a new grad. The pay won't be higher and you might have to work nights, but at least you'll get good experience when compared to most ADN students.

[andrew522]

The important thing is that u, I mean you, understood my post. Don't be so quick to criticize, Lewis asked for advice, so we're all making suggestions. Your comment "why he's too smart for nursing " was nasty and not helpful.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The important thing is that u, I mean you, understood my post.

Per our Terms of Service please post in English only; no text/chat speak. Thanks! :)

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

The important thing is that u, I mean you, understood my post. Don't be so quick to criticize, Lewis asked for advice, so we're all making suggestions. Your comment "why he's too smart for nursing " was nasty and not helpful.

You're entitled to your own opinion. I happen to disagree with your characterization.

Vive la difference!

[NeoNatMom]

OP I would highly recommend watching a YouTube channel by empowern. She is am excellent resource and works as a staff nurse. She knows how several facilities are, not just one so she has a lot of insight.