Need more information on how to become a Nurse

renerian, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2002

Shanon the salary varies per city, per state and other things affect it as well. I enjoy being a nurse. I just went into sales though as I wanted a change of venue.

renerian

STEPHIE_RN_2_BE · Nov 16, 2002

hi! i can tell you what i've done so far: i was already taking classes at a community college and planning to transfer to a state university when i could no longer ignore all the mentioning about how great my school's nursing program was. so i went for it! i went to their information seminar and found out how to get started. basically, you take a year and a half of prerequisites (which i finished last spring) and then apply, assuming you've maintained a gpa at or above a 3.0. you are accepted, of course into the program and graduate with your adn, and begin working (somewhere in there after graduation you also must take and pass the nclex exam to be registered.) i did my prereqs., taking a couple of courses each quarter for 5 quarters and then applied and got in and then started the rn program this past september. its challenging, stressful, and very consuming of my time and energy. it is also difficult to do if you have other responsibilites like a job (most classes and clinical are during the days) and or children (less time for studying, etc.) but it is worth it to find help anywhere and anyway you can and to make sacrifices financially and with your time for just 2 years of nursing school. best of luck to you!

STEPHIE_RN_2_BE · Nov 16, 2002

oh! i forgot to answer the second part of the question: in california, lpn's start at $21-27/hr. and rn's are being offered $34-40/hr., from what i have read in the papers, job postings, etc. and heard from other nurses. it does vary from state to state but my people on the east coast have told me that the wages are basically the same there with the rn's starting at a little less; more like $28-35/hr. but remember there are also differences in wage if you work per diem or night shifts or weekends.

emily_mom · Nov 17, 2002

Go to http://www.salary.com. They can give you an idea of what nurses make across the nation.

MidwifeWannaB · Nov 17, 2002

You also have to remember that the cost of living is different everywhere you go. RN's make about $20-$25 near where I live, but the cost of living is much lower than in Hawaii, where they might make $40-$45/hr. RN's make pretty much the same across the board when you consider cost of living.

:nurse:

aimee

Vsummer1 · Nov 17, 2002

originally posted by stephie_rn_2_be
oh! i forgot to answer the second part of the question: in california, lpn's start at $21-27/hr. and rn's are being offered $34-40/hr., from what i have read in the papers, job postings, etc. and heard from other nurses. it does vary from state to state but my people on the east coast have told me that the wages are basically the same there with the rn's starting at a little less; more like $28-35/hr. but remember there are also differences in wage if you work per diem or night shifts or weekends.

omg i am in california and starting rn's make $26 at either of the two hospitals in the town i live in. are you in the bay area? i know the money is better there than here because the cost of living is so high...

STEPHIE_RN_2_BE · Nov 18, 2002

Yes, I am in the Bay Area!!! (must definitely be the cost of living difference- it is impossible to afford living here! :) )