...answers from some pros...

truern · Jan 19, 2009

Steve, if your goal is to get your BSN at some later point, my advice is to go for your ADN now. With an ADN you would make more money and have more job opportunities than a LPN.

While you're in school you'll get exposure to several fields of nursing. You'll find those that you don't like and those that you LOVE...unless you're like me and love them all You simply apply for the positions you'd like...there's no "bid" process.

An RN is an RN...regardless of degree. ADNs and BSNs have the same responsibilities and make the same wages if they're working the same jobs, however the BSN has more opportunity to advance to management positions.

In my area new grads start out a little over $20/hour. That totally depends on where you're located...I've seen some posts here that mention much higher wages!

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

There is a lot of discussion on this topic in the student section, specifically. Hope it helps you put it together.:)

thinkin' about it · Jan 19, 2009

First, I want to be sure if you don't want to read all the post, please at least read this: Please, please job-shadow some nurses before you stop what you're doing to become one. There is NO other way to see exactly what nurses do, and most people don't have a clue until they're already in nursing school, or worse, already finished. Nursing is a frustrating, often thankless, spine-building, back-breaking, meaningful, rewarding helluva job. If it's for you, we'd love to have you. Please go into it with your eyes wide open. If you don't know any nurses to shadow, call some area hospitals and ask the receptionist to put you through to nursing education, then tell nursing education that you are considering going to nursing school and you'd like to shadow a nurse. They can set this up for you. Do it several times and you'll have some good ideas about whether you'd like to pursue this. A tidbit from my experience, though....you will miss some of the brainy aspects to the job with shadowing, because you'll see tasks and physical things: empty catheter, listen to lungs, chart assessment, etc., but you won't hear the thoughts the nurse is having (was urine output ok for the last 4 hours, since patient is septic; did lungs sound as clear as previous, and should I just watch him or go ahead and call doctor or get chest x-ray and ABG per protocol, have I documented this thoroughly). If shadowing seems dull, it's because you won't get the full scope of the intellectual challenge until you're the one doing it. Don't let this scare you away. It's a very thought-intense, challenging field, and you can't just do what you're told by a doctor like on TV. We problem solve constantly.

Steve,

Here are my opinions (I've copied and pasted your questions, with my answers)....

-How does one choose the area of nursing the work in? (I.e. Neonatal, surgical, ER.) Is it a bid process?

No, it's not a bid process. If you have the qualifications, you apply for a job in the area you want, and a manager picks someone to hire. In some places, like where nurses are unionized, the manager may have to pick from in-house staff first vs. hiring a new grad, etc., but generally, you pick an area you want to work in and look for job postings there, then get an interview, and the manager picks whoever they want. No bidding the way pilots bid on specific assignments. Also, once you have an RN or LPN license, you are qualified to work in any of these areas. It is not like with doctors where say, you're an obstetrician, you can't just go work as a cardiologist the next day. With nursing, you really can work on obstetrics and then decide one day to seek work in oncology. People do it every day. You'd have to do orientation, but lots of your skills and experience and judgment would remain with you, and you wouldn't need huge amounts of time to make the leap. One of the best things about being an RN is knowing you could always try something new if you wanted, and go right back if it doesn't work (of course, if the job market cooperates).

-Is there a difference in job duties between a RN with an ASN vs. BSN?

-Also is a salary difference between the two?

Typically no on both questions. If you have an ASN or a BSN, and you get an RN license, you will be paid the same and have the same job duties. Also, some older nurses still have diplomas rather than degrees because they became a nurse at a hospital-based program years ago, rather than a college program; college programs are pretty much the only option now. Anyway, the point is, it is the RN license, not the degree itself, that gives you the authority to practice nursing. Sort of like a degree in aviation....it isn't about the degree, but the certificate or rating that allows you to fly certain planes for certain purposes in certain conditions.

That being said, more and more employers prefer BSN, and it's pretty typical to require a BSN for management positions, and maybe even an MSN past a certain level. You are wise to pursue a BSN at some point, as it may open doors in the future. For starting out, it probably makes no big difference in opportunities or pay.

-What is the ballpark starting salary I can expect?

(for RN): This is tough to say for sure, because it really does vary quite a bit from place to place. Try salary.com. I've found that, if anything, most nurses I know make a bit more than their estimates for my area. But I will give you some numbers to chew....these are based on what I've learned about pay in many areas of the U.S. I think just about all RN's are starting out at least in the low to mid-40's ($40,0000/year, minimum, for full time). I rarely see starting pay of less than $20 or so/hour, with some cities/states making considerably more. Lots of nurses, even starting out, can make significantly more than this. Floor nurses are almost always paid per hour with complicated pay scales. Usually, night shift and weekends will be paid more per hour, and some places will pay more starting at 3pm, due to the preference of people to work from 7am-3pm. So if you're working a shift overnight or in the evening and it's a weekend, you'll probably be getting your base pay, plus extra to work an off-shift, plus extra to work a weekend. It may be closer to $25-30/hr. for that shift. So, over the course of a year, you can make much more by working off-shifts and some weekends, plus some holidays, and perhaps some overtime or shifts where management pays a bonus because they need someone to fill in on short notice. Some units have plenty of overtime available if you want to work it, some will make you work it, and some don't have it at all. I know floor nurses who probably make mid-40's a year and some with lots of experience who make over $100,000/year. I know nurses who probably make right at their base pay (work 7am-3pm, never pick up extra shifts, don't do weekends), and I know some who make half again their base pay annually by working nights and picking up extra shifts. Sorry to go overboard on the details, but I just wanted you to know why you will see such varying numbers when you look up nursing salaries. It's hard to pinpoint.

Sorry this is so long, but I have some time and I thought I'd give someone some real thoughts and info. I answered your specific questions, but I wanted to give you my thoughts as well.....sort of my answers to questions you'd ask if you'd known to ask them:

Nursing can be a very good career for people with families in a number of ways. For one, there are many shifts available, so lots of nurses are able to find a niche that works with their schedules. Also, probably because nursing is dominated by care-giving females, taking leave when you have a baby or to take care of a sick relative is not frowned on the way it might be in some fields. Like flying, nursing is not something you usually take home with you. It can be daunting when you're there, but your time at home is your time. Most floor nurses work 12-hour shifts, so this may cut into family time. Some nurses prefer working 3 12-hour shifts per week, though, because it gives you more days off. The downside to nursing when you have a family is that you usually have to work at least some holidays (it varies unit to unit how many and which ones each year) and probably some weekends and maybe nights. Also, as long as you are a floor nurse, you will probably work some schedule that is not 9-5 Mon-Fri. This can work for you or against you. But compared to the schedule you have now, it probably sounds pretty good.

As far as nursing school, I'd check out the nursing schools you'd like to consider and contact an admissions counselor or academic counselor in the nursing department as soon as possible. The schools may have lots of online info., too, but the counselor can give you specifics of what classes you need as pre-req's and what grades you need in them. Often, schools will post minimum acceptable GPA's for pre-req's but not tell you, realistically, what you need to get in. If they will let you apply with a 2.5, that doesn't mean you don't really need a 3.8 to be seriously considered. Nursing school admissions are sometimes very competitive, especially recently. Nursing school can be pretty challenging. It's a lot of info. and questions on exams often ask for you to take objective info. and apply it in a really subjective way. I found nursing school exams definitely doable but more difficult than, say, a biology exam, because it's much less straightforward. Some people love nursing school, though, but in the end, as long as you pass and get through it, you'll be able to take a state board test to become a licensed nurse.

My thoughts on LPN first if RN is your goal: I'd look around at local healthcare facilities because some of them have programs where you can work as an LPN while studying for your RN, and they pay for the RN program with a commitment from you to work there for a while when you finish. Some also have programs where you work as an RN with an ASN and the hospital pays for your BSN. If you can't find a program like this, I'd think going straight for your RN would be the way to go, if that's what you really want to do. Just my opinion, though. I don't know if you have any college degree already, but if so, there are colleges now that are offering second-degree programs for people who want to become RN's and already have a bachelor's degree in something else. You take some pre-req's and then take only nursing classes for maybe 1 1/2-2 years and have a BSN at the end. If you already have a bachelor's, that could be a good option if it's offered in your area.

Sorry this post is so long. I hope you got some new info. from it. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

patwil73 · Jan 19, 2009

-What is the best way to get started in this field? LPN or ASN? My long-term goal is a BSN but I would like to get the cash flowing ASAP. My plan is to complete all my prerequisites and online classes until I have to make the decision to continue flying or start the actual nursing program. Does this sound like a good Idea or would the LPN to ASN or BSN work better.

It sounds like a real good idea. It might take a bit longer since you are working at the same time, but that really depends on how motivated you are. Someone else suggested shadowing a nurse - which is a good way to get some exposure to what nursing might be like. However, there are so many different areas of nursing that you will never be truly able to find your "niche" without a lot of exploration. A brief list of areas:

Med-Surg (any medical type floors or surgical floors)

ICU (including medical ICU, Cardiac, neonatal)

Obstetrics, pediatrics

Cath lab (performing heart procedures), GI lab (doing colonoscopy or endoscopy)

Surgery, PACU

Long term care

School nursing

-How does one choose the area of nursing the work in? (I.e. Neonatal, surgical, ER.) Is it a bid process?

Depends. When applying for your first job - no. You look in your area for what they are hiring and apply. However, in some hospitals when they restructure you might have to bid. For example, my hospital recently restructured the floors into smaller units specializing - so the medical floors separated into cardiac, renal/respiratory, general med. Every med-surg nurse had to rebid for a position into the smaller units.

As a new grad you are usually qualified to work med-surg. Many specialty areas may or may not provide residency programs for new grads. Which essentially means another 3 months or more of schooling but you are getting paid for it. :)

-Is there a difference in job duties between a RN with an ASN vs. BSN?

Depends. Here a BSN can be charge or supervisor or manager. But if an ASN and BSN are both working the floors - no.

-Also is a salary difference between the two?

Not usually - although if you are certified in your specialty you can usually expect a small bump to their salary - say 50 cents to $1 an hour.

-What is the ballpark starting salary I can expect?

Really depends on the area - in my area (Washington State) you can start at $25 an hour, plus $3 extra to $4 extra for working 3-11 or 7-11 nights, plus $4 extra for weekends. So if you work nights you will start at $29 hr, $33 on weekends. If you get hired into the float pool it is another $5/hr. Usually lots of OT after 6 months.

Hope this helps

Pat

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

Hello all. I am thinking of a career change and want to get some answers from some pros. Let me give you a little background on myself and the reason this choice is so hard.
I am 33 years old and currently a professional pilot. I enjoy my job but am getting sick of my schedule. Seven day of work followed by seven days off. During those seven days of work I am away from home. My wife I are thinking about having kids and I don't want to be away for that amount of time and I'm sure she does not want to be alone with a young child for that long either. The reason this decision is so hard is if I quit flying I am done for good due to FAA currency rules, the aviation job market and salary. Aviation is the only industry (I know of) were you start at the bottom of the pay scale with every new job regardless of you experience. Enough about my background here are some questions I was hoping you could help me with.
-What is the best way to get started in this field? LPN or ASN? My long-term goal is a BSN but I would like to get the cash flowing ASAP. My plan is to complete all my prerequisites and online classes until I have to make the decision to continue flying or start the actual nursing program. Does this sound like a good Idea or would the LPN to ASN or BSN work better.
-How does one choose the area of nursing the work in? (I.e. Neonatal, surgical, ER.) Is it a bid process?
-Is there a difference in job duties between a RN with an ASN vs. BSN?
-Also is a salary difference between the two?
-What is the ballpark starting salary I can expect?
Thanks for your help in advanced!
Steve

Well, I can help with the first one maybe. I'm from PA, work as a travel nurse now. I know in PA, LPNs are being phased out. If you are an LPN in PA, you WILL work in a nursing home, there are no other options. It pays less, you do the exact same work except for a couple things and will be treated like a lepper by some co-workers. Not saying its right, its what I see.

As far as picking where you work, pay attention in school during clinicals. You'll do rotations. I changed my mind a few times concerning what I wanted to do while in school. You'll get exposure in school to the environment of each specialty.

Salary difference between LPN and ADN......YES. Enough that I dont know why people even consider LPN anymore. Difference between ADN and BSN........not so much. The difference there is in the opportunities open to you later in your career.

Difference between job duties ADN vs. BSN.....well, that depends on your DON, the manager of the unit you are on. My experience is that BSNs take the charge nurse role more often and thats all. Otherwise, same work.

Starting salary depends on specialty and where you live. There is no answer to that. Enough that you wont be starving or anything, but you wont own a boat and fly to paris every year either.

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 19, 2009

Steveo, I'm just curious... why did you choose nursing? Do you dislike the aviation industry or only the schedule?

steveo · Jan 20, 2009

When I originally started college I was planning on majoring in nursing but changed my mind after I started taking private pilot lessons. As far as the aviation industry goes I am just burned out. The traveling is killing me. I can never get a good night’s sleep until I get home. I’m sure it is taking years off my life. It is also very taxing on my marriage. Murphy’s law says everything will go wrong at home when you’re on the road. For instance this week the pipes froze and broke the day after I left. I know I won’t make the money that I am making now in nursing but money isn’t everything. I want to help people and I don’t think flying people like Bernard Madoff around is helping anybody.

Thanks for all the info everyone.