Let me give you brief history. I have always thought I would like being a nurse because of the fast pace and the fact that you actually do physical work (Not just type on a computer all day which I do now) I am constantly fretting that I will be typing on this computer until I finally pass away-depressing. I decided not to major in nursing when I was in college and went with the business route which I now think was a mistake.
I am also a bit of a job jumper (usually sales). Not bragging, but I have always been a great employee but tend to get bored of doing the same thing after a while.
After a decade of realizing that striking it rich in sales is just a fantasy and that I hate my job, I took the plunge and went back to school. I start nursing school next year. I hope I have made the right decision after investing so much time and money. I do like helping people and I like the thought of learning some things that I am actually interested in. I think it will be cool to know how to save someones life and to actually learn valuable skills.
1. As stated, I like to change jobs fairly often. Is it (like I hear) fairly easy to change careers in nursing?
2. How hard is it to move up the pay chain? What I mean is if I do nursing for several years and become good at it, what jobs may open up with higher pay? Are there any? I want to master nursing but then I see myself wanting to move on and learn something new. Is this possible or is it just a fantasy of mine?
3. I like the idea of becoming a flight nurse at some time. I will be in my late 30's when I get out of nursing school. Is it possible for me to become a flight nurse or is it too late?
4. Any other job jumpers become nurses? Was it a good decision for you?
5. Can any of you compare your previous jobs to your current nursing jobs? Do you think you made the right decision?
MedSurgMess, You are totally right. I've been doing EMS since I was 17 years old as a Certified First Responder, then became an EMT and now I'm challenging out of paramedic school just so I can become a flight Nurse. I work with alot of them alot when we do medievacs. I've also done multiple ride-alongs and have spoken directly to their HR people who told me what to do. But you said it perfectly !
MedSurgMess, You are totally right. I've been doing EMS since I was 17 years old as a Certified First Responder, then became an EMT and now I'm challenging out of paramedic school just so I can become a flight Nurse. I work with alot of them alot when we do medievacs. I've also done multiple ride-alongs and have spoken directly to their HR people who told me what to do. But you said it perfectly !
Good luck, let me know how that goes. Right now, the whole healthcare field is so challenging. But for anyone who wants to go through the channels the old fashioned way-experience, getting the hands dirty, etc-I am on board to cheer you on 100%
The original intention of this post has been tragically twisted and lost. I'm not sure where the obsession with money came from, he never said he was in it for money, he was just looking for advancement opportunities (who isn't?). But since there's such an emphasis on it, nursing relatively makes a decent amount of money. Sure, you should be paid more based on the amount of work and stress in your job, but that's a completely different topic. But someones personal motivator doesn't give another person the right to judge someone else's, regardless of how badly they misinterpreted someones post. Let's please end it there, there's no need to drag this out.
MedSurgeNuses, I live about 20 minutes north of Miami. I will most definitely look into some local hospitals and get some more information for you, I'd love to help.
But about the original questions? There has been some great information thrown around about flight nursing, but what about the rest of them? I'd love to hear some more.
Hahahhaha my advice to you is find another major. You wanna do flight nursing? That's not something you just jump right into, and secondly, they don't get paid as much as you think. And you need to be a CCU/ICU/ER nurse for 3-5 years before they will even look at your resume as least for who i wanna work for they do. Good luck with your new major, nursing isn't for you. And to be honest, I'm sick of people deciding "Ohhh I'm going into nursing school" because they think they will get a job right out of school. HAHA WRONG. Go check out the forum and see people who haven't found jobs in like 2 years since they graduated. People think we get paid alot, and yea the money is good, but the emotional/physical/ and mental energy that you put in bears no cost. It's exhausting work to say the least. I'm a new nurse and while i graduated at the top of my class. I still feel like i dont know $***. Experience is what keeps your patients alive, no book can teach you that.
I have a feeling I'm going to be saying this in about a year here. I have never felt so annoyed...and I'm not even a nurse yet. I just keep hearing people mention Nursing being recession-proof....you can make tons of $$$$ with "just an Associate", "nurses will ALWAYS have a job".....I think I might pull my hair out. Thank goodness for allnurses.com. I think this is the ONLY place..other than peers..who "get it".
.. but wow people are being very judgmental and rude in this thread. Who are you to tell someone, a complete stranger, that nursing isn't for them?
Agreed. The one in particular was plain inappropriate. First off, he said he would like to be a flight nurse at some time...not necessarily right out of school. Second, it sounds like you're the one that need to change what you're doing if your job is so bad. And wouldn't getting a job right out of school depend of the local market? Sure, not every single person is going to get a job, but I know many of the hospitals not only take new nurses, but reimburse them for their tuition. With your sarcasm and attitude, I'm surprised you have one at all. Take it easy, he's new and has questions, like I'm sure everybody did at some point; no need to crucify him.
The only useful thing out of that post was the experience needed for flight nursing, thank you.
i had to go back to the 1st post, to see who was "rude" or "judgmental".
let's face it:
many, MANY folks go into nursing with their heads in the clouds.
they have fantasies about all the glory and altruism that nursing involves, and don't want to listen to any of the negatives.
but the negatives are there...
including the fact that many hospitals have put a freeze on hiring.
it ticks me off when i read about nursing being "recession-proof".
that's a bunch of bunk, pure and simple.
i sincerely suggest you search this bb.
you will see that many are having trouble finding that 1st job s/p graduation.
op, if you're looking for challenge, decent pay, flexibility, intellectual stimulation, then go for it.
however, in today's recession...you may not get a job immediately.
it really depends what part of the country you live in.
Let me give you brief history. I have always thought I would like being a nurse because of the fast pace and the fact that you actually do physical work (Not just type on a computer all day which I do now) I am constantly fretting that I will be typing on this computer until I finally pass away-depressing. I decided not to major in nursing when I was in college and went with the business route which I now think was a mistake.
I am also a bit of a job jumper (usually sales). Not bragging, but I have always been a great employee but tend to get bored of doing the same thing after a while.
After a decade of realizing that striking it rich in sales is just a fantasy and that I hate my job, I took the plunge and went back to school. I start nursing school next year. I hope I have made the right decision after investing so much time and money. I do like helping people and I like the thought of learning some things that I am actually interested in. I think it will be cool to know how to save someones life and to actually learn valuable skills.
1. As stated, I like to change jobs fairly often. Is it (like I hear) fairly easy to change careers in nursing?
2. How hard is it to move up the pay chain? What I mean is if I do nursing for several years and become good at it, what jobs may open up with higher pay? Are there any? I want to master nursing but then I see myself wanting to move on and learn something new. Is this possible or is it just a fantasy of mine?
3. I like the idea of becoming a flight nurse at some time. I will be in my late 30's when I get out of nursing school. Is it possible for me to become a flight nurse or is it too late?
4. Any other job jumpers become nurses? Was it a good decision for you?
5. Can any of you compare your previous jobs to your current nursing jobs? Do you think you made the right decision?
To answer your questions: It depends on how often you job jump, the facility you work for and their philsophy. Some don't mind people who change careers every year, others say "why bother, Jane won't stay here a year", so this can be variable. The pay scale right now is a tough question.....many nurses pumped into the system may mean that an employer can pay less, as many desperate to have a job, and will take what's available. Also, if a universal health plan emerges, that may play a big part as well. So pay is anyone's guess. Flight nursing--see the various posts, mine included, for those answers. I was never a job jumper, but I enjoy nursing, started with an ASN, did RN-BSN, now working on MSN. As far as money, and I have highlighted where you have mentioned it, as some have seem offended that it was mentioned back, don't go into it strictly for the money. Those who have and don't have a job but have some seriously hefty student loans that they are having trouble paying off will tell you that it ain't what it's cracked up to be. I think you should talk to a career counselor-usually available for free at a university, to get some guidance before just jumping in and spending lots of cash (nursing school is expensive). Also, take my previous suggestion and shadow on the floor for a few shifts to see if you would still be interested. As far as changing jobs easily once you are a nurse, depends on if there are openings (right now so few, so not really happening), and also your education level and experience. Sometimes your work reputation figures in as well. Good luck.
Duke, I'm trying here. MedSurge, thanks for answering his questions.
Jumping around does look bad, you're definitely right on the money, and I didn't think about that before. That's in any industry, so maybe the clue is to find something you really really like and stick with it. If the legislation goes through and millions more have insurance, I could see that being an incredibly good thing for health care. Think of all the jobs that opened up - demand-pull economics. I would recommend checking out the Occupational Outlook Handbook for some job ideas - apparently hospitals are the slowest growing for employment, possibly why many are finding a hard time getting jobs there.
MedSurge, how was the ADN to RN-BDN? I've heard some places will pay for the additional education? Do you have 12 hour shifts, and if so, how did you pull off taking the classes?
To clear this up, the problem was telling a new student "Good luck with your new major, nursing isn't for you." The guy was simply asking about flight nursing and opportunities for advancement, and even stated that he wanted to learn real skills and help people and that he had previously been looking to strike it rich, and all of the sudden he was being called "selfish". It was not simply that it was mentioned back, it was that he was outright told to quit because of it. It wasn't constructive and it didn't answer questions; it was tasteless and disrespectful.
Max, where are these hospitals that are wanting to hire? I have about 16 previous students that are willing to move that need jobs. Obviously, the area where I am isn't hiring period. Please tell the location and hospital so that I can pass on that info! Thank you....
MedSurge, how was the ADN to RN-BDN? I've heard some places will pay for the additional education? Do you have 12 hour shifts, and if so, how did you pull off taking the classes?
To clear this up, the problem was telling a new student "Good luck with your new major, nursing isn't for you." The guy was simply asking about flight nursing and opportunities for advancement, and even stated that he wanted to learn real skills and help people and that he had previously been looking to strike it rich, and all of the sudden he was being called "selfish". It was not simply that it was mentioned back, it was that he was outright told to quit because of it. It wasn't constructive and it didn't answer questions; it was tasteless and disrespectful.
I work 12 our shifts, but I was, and still am, working weekend option, and pick up days during the week as well. My kids are grown, 19 & 20 yrs old, so it helps. My employer does tuition reimbursement, and I let them pay for the BSN, but I am paying for the MSN myself. I would have had to sign another 2 year agreement, and even though I have no plans to leave as they are an excellent employer, I decided that I never want to be obligated anymore, especially if I am offered a really good instructor position.
I do think telling someone absolutely not to go into nursing is wrong, and you're right, some were downright rude. I just think this person needs to know the pitfalls before going in and finding out that they need to "job jump" again.
My thoughts on universal healthcare is it could cause less money for reimbursements, so yes, more covered, but at less money, so maybe not gaining ground at all, possibly losing some. This is what the admins at my hospital are saying--they will lose money, so there will be no new positions, and probably no raises for a long time....
Oh I'm sorry was it something I said ? Some people need a dose of reality. I've heard too many people say Oh I heard the money is good in nursing and blah blah blah, and I'm SICK OF IT. People think it's so easy and it's not and people should know that and if it makes people think twice then GOOD. This should be something you wanna do because YOU Wanna do it. It shouldn't matter what you get paid or how easy it is, if that's your motive for becoming a nurse then do go something else. I don't do what I do for the money, I don't do it for the fame. I do it because I enjoy it no matter how bad it may get sometimes. It's what wakes me up in the morning and gets me going. As long as I love what I'm doing IDC what i get paid. Money should be the last motive that just plain old SELFISH
I LOVE you EMTRN6785!! I'm seek of people thinking that nursing is easy! The money in nursing is good..blah blah blah. They don't know how hard the job is. They should take a CNA class so they know what they're talking about.
My neighbour kept on showing off how much money she would make as new RN. She hasn't even finish her first year as an RN and she's now on a medical leave. She couldn't handle the stress. The amount of money she made didn't matter. Her body and mind gave up.
Your working right now and earning few bucks yet your not happy. You made a decision to leave the work and go back to school and be a nurse because this career you think received good pay. You already made a decision.. whether this decision is right or wrong...will depend on how you will perform in the nursing school. its not just helping others and learning new tricks... its more than that... I bet you will be overwhelm with the tons of new learning you will put into your brain during your first sem. By the way your typing skills will be very useful caused somehospital uses compuk. Good to luck to you
And wouldn't getting a job right out of school depend of the local market? Sure, not every single person is going to get a job, but I know many of the hospitals not only take new nurses, but reimburse them for their tuition. With your sarcasm and attitude, I'm surprised you have one at all. Take it easy, he's new and has questions, like I'm sure everybody did at some point; no need to crucify him.
Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN
514 Posts
MedSurgMess, You are totally right. I've been doing EMS since I was 17 years old as a Certified First Responder, then became an EMT and now I'm challenging out of paramedic school just so I can become a flight Nurse. I work with alot of them alot when we do medievacs. I've also done multiple ride-alongs and have spoken directly to their HR people who told me what to do. But you said it perfectly !