I guess nursing is a no-go (??)

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hello all,

just to re-cap: I currently work in the laboratory, been a tech for 8 years ready for a career change, so I decided to go into nursing. I got all my undergrad credits transferred, and since I'm a science major all of my physics, A & P, org chem 1 and 2, physics, etc all were accepted, I just have to take elementary statistics and psychology. The nursing program will take 2 years.

As I've been perusing the boards, I'm getting a negative sense of nursing, about RNs eating their young, people are anxious and depressed and regretting going into nursing, and pay expectations are not being met (I currently make ~40/hr, dunno if I'm prepared to go back down to ~26/hr, as I've seen the starting pay is for many on these boards, I live in CT dont know if it makes a difference),

My plan was to do nursing and become an APRN. I thought my plan was brilliant! However, as I've read on this site, that sector may be oversaturated in the future. I don't plan on being an RN forever; I was going to use it for the direct patient contact and then branch into some sort of PCP position (be it medical school, PA, or NP).

I do not want to make a decision that I will regret, any advice?

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Going from 40 hr to 28 hr sounds like a bad plan. Don't do it for the money.

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Wow you make 40/HR as a lab tech?!?! That's insane! I wouldn't leave for that kinda money. Unless you are completely miserable. Also I would think it depends on the area that you choose to nurse in regards to pay. It's all over the place. When I started out as a new grad RN I made 22/Hr and now 5 yrs later am almost at 30/hr. Different departments too will pay more. I've heard agency nurses make a lot but you have to find your own benefits. I guess I'd say why do you want to get into nursing. Don't do it for the money. Do it because you want to make a difference in people's lives. Med school takes a long time. Are you super young in that you would go to nursing school then med school? Just seems like a lot of school to me. Everyone is different. I really would sit and think why you want to go into nursing school. Regardless good luck on your future endeavors!

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I would note that these boards are a place for people to come and blow off steam when they're frustrated with their professional (and sometimes personal) lives. These are thoughts and feelings that one would not normally spew in the real world. EVERY occupation has its ups and downs. I wouldn't judge the happiness and satisfaction of the entire nursing profession based on one message board.

I will say though: If you don't want to be a nurse, don't go to nursing school. If you want to be a doctor or a PA, go to med school or a PA program. Becoming a nurse to become a provider is a really long way to go about it, and it's not really fair to take a seat in a nursing program that someone who genuinely does want to be a nurse could've got.

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Going from 40 hr to 28 hr sounds like a bad plan. Don't do it for the money.

Believe me, your altruism would wane at some point. You are making a comfortable living, I would not advise you to upset the status quo unless you are very clear with your ambitions.

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Believe me, your altruism would wane at some point. You are making a comfortable living, I would not advise you to upset the status quo unless you are very clear with your ambitions.

lol My number one reason for going into nursing is the money, yep I said it. But I am starting to really enjoy the ED but I am always about the green. Not too many jobs allow to wear PJs to work for 3 days and make middle income. Altruism has little to do with my decision simple telling OP to forget about making more money

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Wow you make 40/HR as a lab tech?!?! That's insane! I wouldn't leave for that kinda money.

Here in CT, as techs we only make maybe couple $$ less than RNs per hour (starting), also I am almost a decade into my career, most of us around here make (or should be making) to $34-36/hr (the 40 includes night shift diff). My issue is that im somewhat young (early thirties) and almost hitting the ceiling for our pay, which the base I believe is right at or a little above $40 for many hospitals here, and there are not much opportunities upward mobility. Furthermore, I am BORED! I feel that I am not learning anymore, I would like a flexible schedule, work off shifts, don't need benefits, and would like more patient contact, which is why I wanted to go into nursing. I am unable to go into med school at the moment, so in the meantime while I wait to go, I wanted to do something different and keep learning...

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

If you want to be a PCP, did you look into PA school...seems like you would have the prereqs met if you have a bachelors degree already. You would be doing a very similar job as an APRN with a good pay and much less schooling assuming you have a bachelors in science.

However, it looks like you have gotten this advice before...so I would look at all the school options and what you want to do and make a decision. Why does APRN appeal more than PA in particular...

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Pay is heavily dependent on location, so you can't make much of a decision using info from AN. For instance, here new grads make about $32/hour, with a $5-20% night shift diff, they make about $37-39 in their first year and the scale tops out in the $70/hour range. It sounds like maybe you know the local pay scale, though?

Also, I personally think people are both too pessimistic and horrible predictors of the future, so I don't put much (any) stock in predictions about the labor market. I'd be more likely to trust the local economy by making friends with some nurses and figuring out how hard it is to get a job there. In Portland getting a new grad position requires a fight to the death with poisoned knives, but an hour south you can walk in off the street and walk out with a job.

BUT, you should probably do a bunch of research before you pick a career path and spend a bunch of money on it. I'd look at PA (it's shorter to finish than NP but intense) and compare. Maybe see if you can shadow some people locally so you can ask them questions and see if you like what they do (some practitioners love that).

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Here in CT, as techs we only make maybe couple $$ less than RNs per hour (starting), also I am almost a decade into my career, most of us around here make (or should be making) to $34-36/hr (the 40 includes night shift diff). My issue is that im somewhat young (early thirties) and almost hitting the ceiling for our pay, which the base I believe is right at or a little above $40 for many hospitals here, and there are not much opportunities upward mobility. Furthermore, I am BORED! I feel that I am not learning anymore, I would like a flexible schedule, work off shifts, don't need benefits, and would like more patient contact, which is why I wanted to go into nursing. I am unable to go into med school at the moment, so in the meantime while I wait to go, I wanted to do something different and keep learning...

I don't think the answer would be to then go to new grad pay as an RN. Cause even if you are union, it would be a different union than your current one. IF they had a new grad RN position for you. Which could mean loss of seniority with the new union.

You could do EMT/Paramedic, have all sorts of good times on your off time, make a little bit of extra cash, AND then go to PA school at some point in the future.

Nursing is not that flexible time wise.....

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Physical therapy also attractive....but with your education, and age PA, route makes a lot of sense.......I never want to be bored and "just settle"....I commend your drive,

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Knowing what I know now? If I were you, I'd keep on keeping on right where you are!

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