Looking for info. on a Nursing Career!

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Hello all!

I am new to the site and am exploring the idea of becoming a nurse. I'm 23 years old and work full time at a CPA firm in San Antonio, TX. I have wanted to become a nurse since HS and began college for it, but was led down a different path. I'm now stuck in a job that will not take me where I need to be. But that's a different story.

I just have a few questions that I'd greatly appreciate you all answer.

- What's the best route for schooling? Degree or diploma? I'm leaning towards going to an accredited school and just get my diploma, but I want to make sure that this isn't frowned upon amongst employers. Does anyone have any input?

- Has anyone had issues with finding work lately in Texas (specifically the San Antonio area)? Does anyone know what the estimated job outlook is for the next couple of years? I've been doing research and have noticed a lot of people saying that nursing jobs are becoming hard to come by. I do not want to go through the schooling and spend a lot of money if it will turn out to be a dead end for me job wise.

- Does anyone have any experience with Galen, Baptist School of Nursing, or ITT Tech?

- What is the best path to go with and why? Hospital, Doctor's office, etc? I know this depends on the person, but I like opinions :-)

If anyone has any additional information to add, I'd greatly appreciate it! I apologize if these have been asked recently or repeatedly, I have not been able to find much on them.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hi!

You didn't indicate what level of nursing you are looking at (RN or LVN) but Tx really doesn't have 'diploma' programs any more for RNs. The Baptist program now awards an AD. There are still a lot of LVN programs that are based on a diploma rather than transferrable college hours. The advantage to a college hour program is the transferability so you can apply those hours to your next degree rather than having to repeat the courses. One caveat - some college courses 'expire' after 5 years or so, especially sciences.. you may need to repeat them if they are more than 5 years old.

Since you are only 23, I would strongly advise you to go for your BSN. Many acute care (Hospital) employers are upping the bar, and require BS for any leadership positions... some area requiring BSNs for ALL nurses. It would be better just to do it in the first place rather than play the 'stop and start' game to get one later on.

San Antonio has a lot of nursing schools to choose from. Be very careful about commercial (investor owned, for-profit) schools. The tuition is very much higher than traditional schools, and the quality of their programs is usually impacted by the transient nature of the faculty and lack of academic rigor. Credits may not transfer if you wish to advance your education.

Nursing school produces a novice 'generalist' nurse. There is no opportunity to specialize until you go to graduate school. The mandated education process requires a defined number of hours in specific clinical areas - both lecture and clinical practicum. After you pass boards and become licensed, you can choose to work in any setting that appeals to you. FYI - Basic rule in nursing (as in any other job) higher pay is associated with harder jobs... so physician offices, and other 'easier' jobs pay much less than bedside nursing and usually offer fewer benefits.

Best of Luck to you!!!

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Thank you so much!

I haven't decided 100%, but am leaning towards going straight to RN (but may possibly do LVN, and then continue to RN).

I have considered doing the BSN route, but the schools here have long waiting lists for the nursing programs. I am married with a baby, so I'd like to get in and out as quickly as possible so that I can get back to working. However, I will do what the best option as far as my career would be concerned. So if I'm able to go the BSN route, I will jump on it!

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My answer is based on the current job conditions in the DFW area. I would imagine it is similar everywhere in Texas. If you are serious about nursing, I would suggest the RN route and get a BSN from a University. Jobs here for new nurses are scarce. Hiring conditions are rough. Even the most qualified new nurse will have much more difficulty finding a job now than they would have a few years ago. You want to be the best of the bunch to ensure getting a job post graduation. This means that you want to get your bachelor's degree rather than an associate's. You want to start working right away as a tech once you start nursing school to get experience and a foot in the door. You want to make good grades and establish a connection with all of your instructors for networking.

And the schools you mentioned are not RN schools. You have to go to a community college or a university to obtain a RN. Technical schools only offer LVN programs. I would not recommend the LVN route at all. In the DFW area, it is impossible to find a job as a new LVN unless you want to work in a nursing home.

As far as where to work when you graduate, the best option is a hospital setting. At least for a year or two. Working in a hospital gives you "clinical experience" that future employers will require.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
And the schools you mentioned are not RN schools. You have to go to a community college or a university to obtain a RN. Technical schools only offer LVN programs.
One of the schools that she has mentioned (Galen) does offer an RN program. Actually, it is an LVN-to-RN bridge program that results in an associates degree and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN.

In addition, trade schools and technical colleges offer RN programs all the time. Dallas Nursing Institute is one such school in Dallas, since it is a for-profit entity. ITT Tech is a national proprietary school that offers RN programs across the U.S.

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Thank you both so much for the information!

I really appreciate it!

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