New here..a few questions if you dont mind...

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Hi, I am a 26 year old male considering changing my direction in life. I was thinking about enrolling in VCC to become a RN. I would like to continue afterwards towards a bachelors, if needed. My questions are, is it difficult to "get your foot in the door" as a new grad? and also I read that median salaries for a RN in Florida is in the high 50s to 70s. Is this true? Also, in a career with mostly women, is it difficult for a man to get it?

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It is very hard out there for new grads to get jobs..right now atleast. The older nurses that were depending on their 401K to retire can't do so b/c that was wiped out by the economy and are staying in their positions. Therefore, not as many jobs are out there for new grads. The best thing to do is to work in a hospital as a CNA or PCT first while in school and hope you get in good with your hospital and the like you enough to hire you after you graduate. There are more male nurses than I thought, and I remember when I was looking at schools, some of them gave extra "points" to the males vs. females. As far as the salary goes, it all depends where in FL you are...more rural...less pay....bigger cities..better pay. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Tele.

I totally agree with Morgan429,

I got my first job straight out of school at the hospital where I worked at as a CNA, even after applying to a few other hospitals. Once you complete your first semester, you should be qualified enough to work as a CNA at any hospital, and most likely they will hire you after you get your license as an RN.

VCC would be a great option for you if you want to continue your education. Public schools are the best thing, because they are cheap compared to private schools, and plus you will be able to get your bachelor's degree with ease and no competition to get in, and it will be cheap -- assuming you pick a public university to complete your studies ;) that's what I am doing as well.

I always wanted to go to VCC because I love orlando, and I love disney world... but unfortunately for me, I fell in love and had a baby so I cannot move at this time...

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Specializes in TELE-PCU-CCU.

I am a male , 28 yo and live in Fl for 3 years now. I've been a nurse for 6 years. I work 12 hr shift 4 days a week. Last year i make 83K without taxes.

It is a very rewarded career and as a male you will have plenty of more oportunities then as a women....

It's all about what you want to di and how to work the systems, so work it and KEEP on going! Get in VCC or wherever but get it done!!

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Specializes in ED.

Im a male RN 22 and i lived in Miami for a while. Most dont really care and get along with male nurses with no problems at all.

like others said, apply for hospital scholarships or work as a cna, tech inside a hospital.

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I am a male , 28 yo and live in Fl for 3 years now. I've been a nurse for 6 years. I work 12 hr shift 4 days a week. Last year i make 83K without taxes.

It is a very rewarded career and as a male you will have plenty of more oportunities then as a women....

It's all about what you want to di and how to work the systems, so work it and KEEP on going! Get in VCC or wherever but get it done!!

I have a BS in Biology/Psychology, MA in Clinical Psych, and JD. Unfortunately, the pay for attorneys is really really bad. I noticed you said you have worked as a nurse for 6 years and making $83k. I noticed on another FL thread that the average salaries for nurses in central fl is $22/hour. From your experience and knowledge, is your salary more the norm or the rarity? Also, what salary did you start at? I'm hoping to get my RN and change fields, but I also need to be able to make enough to pay the student loans I have already accumulated. Any advice???

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