General questions...lots!

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Would any kind soul out there like to take the time to answer many general questions I have about getting an RN and getting into nursing? I have many, as I'd be a career changer with a bachelors degree in communications. If anyone would help me and trade a few emails with me i'd really really be thankful!

Derek

[email protected]

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Specializes in ER.

If you have any of the more general questions, posting them on here would be a really great way to get a lot of good answers.... :)

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

fire away:D

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we're waaaaaaaaaaiiting.:anbd:

leslie;)

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Hehe ok thanx guys.

1) How long does it generally take to get an RN? I already have a BS in commmunications but i did it through U of Phoenix so im not sure how many classes would count?

2) What is the avg starting salary for a 1st year RN?

3) Any details or advice on the RN exam like how long is it, and how soon after you get your RN degree do you take it?

4) What if I may get an RN in one state but want to move to another state to work?

I'll start with those :o)

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

look at some universities you are interested in, and talk to them. i would think some credits would transfer.

2) what is the avg starting salary for a 1st year rn?

at my hospital it is approx 25 an hour with yearly step increases. you also get shift differential. ours is a couple three bucks plus change for noc shift. there is also a weekend differential of 4 bucks an hour. that is pretty standard for local hospitals.

3) any details or advice on the rn exam like how long is it, and how soon after you get your rn degree do you take it?

can't help you on this one. i took the archiac version on paper/pencil that lasted 2 days. you do want to take it soon as possible after graduation, while things are fresh in your mind.

4) what if i may get an rn in one state but want to move to another state to work?

usually not a problem to do. excelsior (not sure of other distance learning programs) does not transer to certain states.

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Specializes in ER.

1 - thats a good question for an advisor. I dont know exactly which classes transfer from communications to nursing - or from U of Phen. But as a general rule of thumb, fresh out of high school, it takes about 4 or 5 years. If your core classes transfer, then you'll basically have your bio classes (AP1, AP2, Micro) with a few others depending on the school, so you may be able to get into a program after a year of core.

2 - pay is VASTLY different depending on where you live. I'm leaving a rural hospital where I started making $18.54/hr to a hospital in a big city that's 60 miles south making $25/hr base pay. So it just depends on where you are.

3 - the exam has a minimum of 75 questions, but it can be 265 (or something like that) depending on how you are scoring. You pick your date, but usually it's about a month after graduation.

4- search on here "License by endorsement" and you'll get some good answers.

:) Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

1) how long does it generally take to get an rn? i already have a bs in commmunications but i did it through u of phoenix so im not sure how many classes would count?

anywhere from 2-4 years. if you get an associates, 2 years. if you want a bachelors than 4 years. your classes might count (i.e. communication/english type courses) but nursing classes are mostly science based (chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology) etc. so unless you have those your credits may not count. also would need to find a school that would accept your credits.

2) what is the avg starting salary for a 1st year rn?

normally i don't talk about what i make as an rn, because i just don't feel its right to talk about how much you make to people. however; since this is the internet, i'll tell you that i am not salaried but i started at 24.45/hour as a new grad. salary depends on if you work part time/full time/prn.

3) any details or advice on the rn exam like how long is it, and how soon after you get your rn degree do you take it?

rn exam (called the nclex) is different for everyone. they give you 6 hours to take the test and you can get anywhere from 75-265 questions. once you near taking your nclex they will explain the method to their maddness in determining how many questions you get and how they determine a pass or fail. i ended up passing with 75 questions and it maybe took me 1.5 hours. my suggestion: do not take it too soon, but not too far. i would say about 1 month after you graduate would be a good time. so if you graduate may 15th, take it june 15-june 25th or so.

4) what if i may get an rn in one state but want to move to another state to work?

if your part of the compact states you can work in those states, if your licensed in a compact state. for example, i'm from wisconsin so i am licensed to work in any of the compact states. however; if your state is not part of the compact states then you need to apply for a license before start working. this is not difficult, so you won't have to take your nclex over or anything like that.

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Specializes in family practice.
hehe ok thanx guys.

1) how long does it generally take to get an rn? i already have a bs in commmunications but i did it through u of phoenix so im not sure how many classes would count?

there are different entries to the rn program. for associate degree it takes roughly 3years including pre-reqs, bsn is 4years and there are accelerated bsn for people with previous degree: this ranges from 12-18 months depending on the school. call your local schools to find out

2) what is the avg starting salary for a 1st year rn?

[color=rgb(255, 0, 255)]this varies from state to state and also standard of living. e.g. iowa might pay an rn $23.00 with low standard of living and ny may pay $30.00 an hr but then living expenses are enormous

3) any details or advice on the rn exam like how long is it, and how soon after you get your rn degree do you take it?

[color=rgb(255, 0, 255)]the nclex-rn ("rn exam") is a 6hr computerized test containing 265 questions (1day)but then you dont have to use the whole time or the whole question depending on how good you are. your school would explain more when the time comes and you could take it anytime after your degree (depending on when you submit your application to your state bon)

4) what if i may get an rn in one state but want to move to another state to work?

[color=rgb(255, 0, 255)]you can do this. what happens is you could decide to take the nclex in your new state or do license by endorsement after you have done the test in your old state.

i'll start with those :o)

i hope these were the information you were looking for. good luck

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

You shouldn't have to take the NCLEX over again to apply to a new state. The NCLEX is the same across the board. I took my NLCEX in Minnesota but i got licensed in Wisconsin.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
The NCLEX is the same across the board..

No pun intended, Jenni? :p

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Thanks again guys. So it sounds like its not hard at all to get liscenced in whatever state you want? I'd really like to be a travel nurse, do you have to work in a hospital for a certain amount of time before you can do that?

If an accelerated BSN is 12-18 months is it shorter than even getting an associates?!

Is it hard to get the 3 day 12 hour shifts?

Continued thanks!

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