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?
Actually I would consider PA school with your experience you could get through pretty quickly and be doing what you want right out of the gate. Their market isn't flooded like NP or CRNA is.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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...
Nursing school would be a time-consuming pit-stop for someone waiting to attend medical school, which is why I suggest you skip nursing school altogether. If you want to attend medical school, just complete the prerequisite coursework and attempt to get admitted.
Nursing follows the nursing model of care provision, whereas medicine follows the medical model. If you want to attend medical school, becoming a nurse would not make a great deal of sense.
There are programs that it sounds like you would fit into that allow you to become an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in the same amount of time out here in Seattle. If diagnosing is your desire. I think they are also 2 year programs.
Are you really that dissatisfied to give up a $40/hr job that is free from call bells, the sometimes unreasonable demands that come with working with the public and the heavy lifting of nursing?
What do you feel you are missing? See if you can pinpoint that dissatisfaction and see if there is a way to add something to your life that would bring you satisfaction. Changing jobs does not always do that.
My biggest concern is that you said you want to use nursing to branch into a PCP position. You don't need to be a nurse to go to medical school, why not just continue being a lab tech while completing med school prerequisites?
If you're that ambitious, hands down I would go to PT school, at their doctorate level they now can be providers. I rarely meet an unhappy PT, at least not in my field. My daughter just started at a pediatric clinic, the therapists seem pretty happy there as well.
You a medical technologist? Always wanted to do that I love blood. Heard it's the most stressful job in the hospital in addition to mo growth. Additionally, limited job's granted 3 jobs openings at the hospital.
Considering the nursing route instead. Pay is not amazing, but it's not for the pay. It's enough to make a living with a partner. You want to be a nurse.
Look into what you want to do. What direction is best for you what can make you happy. Put how much you make a year a side. Would you like to diagnose or provide care?
Not sure where in CT you live, but in Hartford area you will be making about $34/hr as a newly graduated nurse at a hospital. Similar in New Haven. Less in the outskirts of both those "cities".
I'm in a similar situation, although I am 30 days from the end of my nursing program. I make a significant amount more at my current job than I will as a new nurse, but it will even out a few years down the road. I am also going for my APRN, as the diagnosing is my favorite part, after the patient care aspect. Nurses don't diagnose, at least not in the same way.
Figure out your bills, if there are costs you can cut (we limited cable and I put off buying a new car) and make due until you can get where you want to be.
8-ball, BSN
286 Posts
Actually I would consider PA school with your experience you could get through pretty quickly and be doing what you want right out of the gate. Their market isn't flooded like NP or CRNA is.