changing healthcare careers

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Hello, first post have mercy, and thank you.

Looking for advice. I have been a RT for 20 yrs. hospital and homecare, and am near the top of my payscale as a staff RT. Advancing is near impossible. I have desired to complete a RN degree, but raising a family came first. Done the research for different options and am in the process of completeing the only realistic viable one: completing the prereqs again eg. math, micro, A&P etc. due to the over eight yr. limit. and plan to apply to the local Comm. College RN program, w/ the hope of then completing an on-line BSN. Here are my concerns: I have most of the financial burden of the household eg. mortgage, car payments etc.., I am 48 yrs young, with plenty of energy and a strong desire to learn and expand my horizons, I have a full and part time hosp. job, and the most concerning will be the pay cut to start as an RN. I prob. won't start at the bottom of the scale, but their will be a substancial pay cut. and then their is the clinicals to complete. The RN program may only have to include the core RN courses 1.5 to 2/ semester when I have finished the prereqs. I am almost done, just have micro and A&P to complete and hope to apply to start 2012. I am doing well so far 4.0. So biggest concern is working during school, (have to) and that pay cut:confused: I may have to work nights for a year, climb the clinical ladder agressively, cut costs at home. I would really like to work as an RN because of 1) the variety of RN possibilities, 2) clinical ladder 3) total care of the patient and feeling I am making more of a difference and more fulfilled 3) larger resource base. etc.. I hope to catch up with the pay scale after a few years, right?? HELP, HELP, HELP!!!! need advice. is it worth it? What should I do? need encouragement, this is very very confusing!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. looking for a responce.

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What are your goals? You must have a specific goal in mind if you are willing to take a pay cut to be an RN? Nursing is in somewhat of a chaotic transition and I honestly do not know where the chips will fall. We have big problems with getting qualified instructors into the school, teaching new nurses, providing a safe and secure work environment and providing qualified entry level nurses for patient care positions; however, in spite of our problems at a fundamental level, we are cramming independent practice down the throat of the medical community. At some point the bottom will have to fall out.

I am not really sure what the next decade will hold for nurses with the problems I discussed and the drastic changes to health care that seems highly likely to pass. I am sure you can find a place with your background however.

On a side note, I am in your shoes, albet on a different pathway. I am making the transition to a RCP. Like you I am taking a plethora of classes and I am looking at a pay cut. Good luck.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi,

I was in the same boat a few years ago. 20+ years as a medical technologist, bored out of my mind, you know the drill. I had wanted to enter nursing for a while and did a lot of research. I ultimately decided to attend a direct entry MSN program. I wasn't sure bedside nursing was for me, and I was pretty tired of working holidays, weekends, nights, etc. I felt being a nurse practitioner was a better option for me. I completed a 2 yr. accelerated program (after spending a couple of years re-taking prerequisites) and had several job offers before I even graduated. I have a good job working 4 ten hour shifts, no major holidays, no call, and only 1 Saturday a month. I make more than I ever did as a Med Tech. However, I had to make some major sacrifices to do this. My program was expensive and I had a ton of loans (which have been mostly forgiven because I work with an underserved population), I was only able to work about 16 hours a week, and I pretty much did nothing but study for 2 years. It wasn't easy, but it was so worth it. I love my job, love having my weekends and holidays back, and love the feeling that I am truly helping people. I realize this option may not work for everyone, but it did for me. I wish you the best of luck in your new career!!

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.

I know a lot of RTs that decided to do nursing for those same reasons. I would say if it is a passion of yours then no its not a waiste of time. you could still work part-time as an RT for extra money until you were able to get your salary up as a nurse. I am not sure how much you make now or how different an RT's pay is from nursing as it probably depends on the region you live in, but i definately think you should go for it.

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With all your experience with vents, you would definitely have a place in ICU. ICU offers a lot of opportunity for learning and getting to the top of the clinical ladder. I say go for it but as the other person suggested, keep your RT job to help out when you need the extra money. I knew a Dental Hygenist that worked part time and was an agency nurse. She really enjoyed what both careers offered her in money and time with her family. Good Luck!:yeah:

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Do you want to be at the bedside only, or do you think you might want to progress further? Are you interested in obtaining a masters too?

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thanks for your responce. I also plan on keeping my RRT current to helpm pay the bills. After a year or two I plan on my BSN on line and look foward to the variety of opportunities available. I'm hopeful the economy will improve by the time I graduate (2014). My goals include utilizing my RT/RN skills in the right environment. eg. ED, ICU etc.. I am most concerned about how to survive the pay cut, if I can or not. or should I not even go through with the RN for that reason:confused: My pay cut will probably be around 12-15 thousand. Maybe if I work nights the first year and keep the RT prn job I might make it. Curbe expenses (yea right!!) the marriage prob. would not make it. My goals are clear to me why the RN path eg. opportunities and my pay will catch up, I need some cheerleading and ideas how to make it financially. loans are not really an option, credit not so good, co-signed the children's college, my wife makes very little. I am concerned that maybe I am not being realistic and could find myself in a real bind. Thanks for listening

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I certainly plan to spend some at the bedside via ICU, ED, PACU etc.. and hope to obtain my BSN. I'll have to see how I do and look into all the possilbilities. I'm not sure I'll have enough time (currently 48 yrs. young) or the $$ for a masters.

My biggest concern as to whether I complete this or not is the substancial pay cut starting in Nsr. Any ideas?

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Thank you for your encouragement, hope I can afford it.

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Geographic location can play a role here, what state are you in?

Being that you are established in life and have others depending on you, you definitely need to be strategic here in your choices. What about what BCgradnurse did, this might be the optimal choice and you'll earn a decent salary. Do you have a bachelor's degree already?

Whatever you decide on don't rule out applying for financial aid regardless of your current economic position. You never know what options may be available and you won't know unless you apply.

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I think that is a good idea to keep your RRT current because the only thing about nursing is you cant really plan it out because the programs are very competitive so you really dont know when you will actually start a program. I have seen people get in on their first time applying and i have seen people get in on their 3rd time applying.

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