Is it worth going back to get my rn when I make 57,000 a year?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it worth me going back to school of I make 57,000 a year.I do want to go back but idk sometimes I dont feel like it.I like the ability to work and then do what I like.I also dont want all the responsibility of an rn.I prefer to just focus on me and my client and do one on one nurse duties.preferably agencies that have contracts with other employers.I like flexibility.

Specializes in Pedi.

Well I'm an RN and I make about $40k a year more than your listed salary if that's all you're considering.

When I was a manager in a pediatric home health agency with a large private duty population, RNs were paid $5/hr more than LPNs. If you work 40 hrs/week, that's a little bit more than $10k/year difference.

As far as your other statements go, I certainly "work then do what I like." I'm not sure why you think RNs don't do that. I turn my work phone off at 5pm every night (unless I am on-call). I also have a ton of flexibility. I make my own schedule outside of mandatory meetings and if something important for one of my patients conflicts with a meeting, I skip said meeting.

Depends where you live maybe, or what your current job is. Is there an easy route to moving up/making a lot more at your current job if you stay? Is your current job something you really enjoy a lot? Are you located on one of the coasts or in a high cost of living area?

I live in Omaha and as a new grad I am making 55k, hourly, but not much availability for overtime at my facility, so 55k is what I am gonna make typically. If I lived in California or New England 55k wouldn't be anything. You probably wouldn't make more than around 50-60k to start as an RN here in Omaha unless you pulled overtime, all the time.

Now if you lived in California you could probably make 100k your first year easily depending on city/area.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Six figures. Just do it. :)

Well I'm an RN and I make about $40k a year more than your listed salary if that's all you're considering.

When I was a manager in a pediatric home health agency with a large private duty population, RNs were paid $5/hr more than LPNs. If you work 40 hrs/week, that's a little bit more than $10k/year difference.

As far as your other statements go, I certainly "work then do what I like." I'm not sure why you think RNs don't do that. I turn my work phone off at 5pm every night (unless I am on-call). I also have a ton of flexibility. I make my own schedule outside of mandatory meetings and if something important for one of my patients conflicts with a meeting, I skip said meeting.

I dont want a management position .you're not only responsible for yourself and clients but other nurses..oh wait I just re read and saw where you said RNs do in home.yeah I dont want a management position. It seems like alot of times when nurses have their bsn they try to make them take on more of a load.i like my current load.if I can keep that as an rn then ill go for it.

Depends where you live maybe, or what your current job is. Is there an easy route to moving up/making a lot more at your current job if you stay? Is your current job something you really enjoy a lot? Are you located on one of the coasts or in a high cost of living area?

I live in Omaha and as a new grad I am making 55k, hourly, but not much availability for overtime at my facility, so 55k is what I am gonna make typically. If I lived in California or New England 55k wouldn't be anything. You probably wouldn't make more than around 50-60k to start as an RN here in Omaha unless you pulled overtime, all the time.

Now if you lived in California you could probably make 100k your first year easily depending on city/area.

Yeah I can get my rn and still work where I work but I was told it's best as a new grad rn to work in a hospital.i prefer one on one and private duty

Six figures. Just do it. :)

I know but ugh studying all over againí ½í¹„..I think it's more so the gen Ed's I have an issue with too..I thought about excelsior but I dont like the cpne thing

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I know but ugh studying all over again������..I think it's more so the gen Ed's I have an issue with too..I thought about excelsior but I dont like the cpne thing

Then if you are happy where you are and don't want to do it, don't do it. It's your life, your education. But if it's about the money (that is a big motivator for most people I know), you might have to advance your education to make more.

My standard speech for those considering going back to school. Figure out how much school will cost. Figure out the difference in wages with/without the degree so you can figure out how many years to pay it off. Then take the number of years you have left to work before age 65. That should tell you roughly the amount of extra money you'd generate throughout the rest of your working life.

For example (making up figures here):

30 years left to work. School costs $20k, I'd net an extra $20k/year. So school is paid back in one year of raised income. That leaves me 29 years more to work at $20k/year = $580K more than I would have made without the degree. Of course, this doesn't take into consideration interest on loans, raises, etc. but you get the idea.

So, is it worth it to you?

Then if you are happy where you are and don't want to do it, don't do it. It's your life, your education. But if it's about the money (that is a big motivator for most people I know), you might have to advance your education to make more.

I really should go back because yes the money does play a role aswell.financial freedom and although I like home care at the moment that may change.if i get my rn it opens so many other doors

Specializes in Pedi.
I dont want a management position .you're not only responsible for yourself and clients but other nurses..oh wait I just re read and saw where you said RNs do in home.yeah I dont want a management position. It seems like alot of times when nurses have their bsn they try to make them take on more of a load.i like my current load.if I can keep that as an rn then ill go for it.

Not all RNs are in management. I am a care manager currently but I do not manage employees so am not considered to hold a management position.

Good luck with your decision.

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