Career Change Advice

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

How is the nursing industry right now?
I know things are unstable in general but what about nursing?
How many months/years have your worked at your current job?
How much time do you work a week? How much OT? What about paid time off?
Is it okay to ask what the general salary is for an RN?
I was considering attending a community college. Is this recommended? Any caveats?
What community college do you recommend I look into?
I graduated with a computer science degree. Are there nursing technician jobs that can utilize those skills?
Thanks!
noob33

Due to the poor economy, the nursing field is atrocious for new grad RNs in Los Angeles and jobs are difficult to find. However, the employment prospects might change in a few years, although we will not know until we actually get there.

I have worked at my current workplace for about nine months, and I typically do a 36 hour work week that consists of three 12-hour shifts weekly. OT is not readily available at the present time due to low patient census and budget constraints.

The salary of an RN will vary by geographic region. For example, an RN in Los Angeles will start in the low $30s per hour, but an RN in Oklahoma will start at less than $20 hourly due to differences in the cost of living. If you already have a computer science degree, I advise you to look into accelerated RN/BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) programs that will enable you to complete nursing school in 12 to 18 months and finish with a BSN degree. In this competitive job market, a BSN degree will increase your job opportunities as a new grad. This cannot be accomplished at a community college.

If you have the security of a good-paying job right now, I would keep it while pursuing nursing on a part-time basis. Many technician jobs do not pay enough to support oneself.

jammin246RN · Apr 22, 2011

How is the nursing industry right now?

The nursing industry is somewhat depressed d/t the overall economy. Hospitals are hiring nurses.... but they must have at least 1 year of experience. Overall nursing is a stable field to be in though.

I know things are unstable in general but what about nursing?

Nursing as a general rule is pretty stable.

How many months/years have your worked at your current job?

3 years at my primary job, 1 1/2 years at my secondary and 4 years at my agency(strictly as needed...1 shift every couple months).

How much time do you work a week? How much OT? What about paid time off?

36-60 hours. I can work as much OT as I want. Since I only have 6 years experience it pays for me to cover my own health insurance and take the PRN pay rate which is around $30/hr. Since I am PRN (even though I work full time) I currently don't get PTO.

Is it okay to ask what the general salary is for an RN?

Varies from region to region. California is one of the higher paying states... Missouri starts RNs off at 18/hr.... But cost of living is quite reasonable, and if you play the system right, you can make 27+/hr after 1 year experience in missouri. Salary for masters level nurses can easily hit six figures. CRNAs which is a masters in nursing easily gross 250k a year.

I was considering attending a community college. Is this recommended? Any caveats?

My father got his RN from a community college. However I believe you would be better off going a fast track since you already have your bs degree. You would have a duel bachelors and nursing all rolled into one!

I graduated with a computer science degree. Are there nursing technician jobs that can utilize those skills?

Sure there are. Most hospitals are going to computer charting. As such they need someone to tweak their electronic medical records and computer imputs. Our technition is a Nurse with a computer background.

noahsmama · Apr 22, 2011

I agree with the previous posts, with one exception. Low $30s/hr seems low to me for a starting salary for an RN in the LA area, at least for hospital jobs. I started as a new RN in the SF Bay Area 2.5 years ago, and I started in the low $40s/hr. I know the Bay Area is one of the highest paid areas, but I was under the impression that the LA Area is similar? If you can GET a job, that is.

I also agree with the advice to consider accelerated BSN programs if you already have a bachelors degree in another field. I went that route and am glad I did -- many hospitals prefer BSN RNs, and there are some types of nursing where BSN is required -- this includes public health nursing, which is what I'm doing now.

Good luck!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

I know the Bay Area is one of the highest paid areas, but I was under the impression that the LA Area is similar?

Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area have offered significantly lower RN pay rates than the SF Bay area for quite a long time. Even parts of the Central Valley pay more competitively than Los Angeles.

caliotter3 · Apr 22, 2011

Look on the employment websites for the LA area and you will see RN jobs listed, but not many and those that are listed either want a ton of experience or are otherwise not the greatest of opportunities. One thing the OP has going for himself is being male. In some instances, that can be a helping factor when competing for a job.

noahsmama · Apr 22, 2011

Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area have offered significantly lower RN pay rates than the SF Bay area for quite a long time. Even parts of the Central Valley pay more competitively than Los Angeles.

Oh, Ok -- thanks for the info!