Career change from research to nursing

[KEYLATI]

I am interested in changing careers. Currently in public health research.

I am planning on going to Duke in Fall to get BSN. Then become CRNA later. But have to work at least a year 1st in ICU.

For the year after I get BSN and have to work before going to CRNA school,

what type of positions can I hold? what type of salary will I earn??

[KidsRN9]

As you said, you will need at least 1 yr of ICU experience before attending school for CRNA, so you will need to be employed as a staff nurse in an ICU for that year. Salaries vary based on location but I can tell you that in Chicago for a new grad you can expect $24-$27/hr plus shift differentials. As a new grad you can almost guarantee being on nights or at least rotating with every other to every third weekend on, so you can make considerably more with shift differentials (usually average an extra $3.50-$5.00 per hour for night/weekend) but of course the nights and weekends aren't easy to adjust to.

Some managers are savvy to new grads 'using' the ICU experience to go on for a CRNA, so be sure not to bring it up in the interview or at least say it's in your 4-5 year plan. Most managers like supporting the education of their nurses, but it get's tough when they spend up to $50K and 3-5 months to orient a new grad to ICU and then they leave at the end of the year.