NJ/NYC Area - Best way to enter nursing as a 2nd career

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Who am I?

I am a 30 year old male with an Engineering Degree and make approx $85k per year. My wife is a stay at home mom. I have one daughter in school. We live in NJ, just outside NYC.

Why do I want to be a nurse?

1)I have a desire to help others.

2) Nursing also provides many avenues for advancement.

3) Being a nurse can be mobile (hospitals are located everywhere and extra help always seems to be needed), which would allow our family to relocate if we decided to in the future.

4) Wages are good. I do not expect to make the same salary as I make now.

How do I meet educational requirements?

1) I must continue working to support my family during my studies in order to maintain income and healthcare coverage.

2) I am not necessarily in a rush to become a nurse, but I would like to start the process now as it will likely take a minimum of 3 years to meet educational requirements.

3) All coursework must be performed nights, weekends, and/or online.

Programs that I have researched:

1) Associates in Nursing Degree - My current degree would meet the requirements for about 25% of the coursework.

2) Accelerated 2nd degree BSN - While I could take the prerequisite coursework while I continue to work, I cannot quit my job for 1 year to meet the demands of the accelerated program.

3) RN-BSN Program - If I completed the Associates Degree, I would continue coursework and gain my BSN.

My questions:

1) Are hospitals in the NY/NJ area hiring nurses with associates degrees? Is finding a position with an associates difficult vs. a BSN.

2) Am I missing any other possible pathways into nursing?

3) What can I realistically expect to earn when first entering the field in the NY/NJ area?

I appreciate any advice that can be provided.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There is no nursing shortage in most of the country. Some areas have new grad nurses with 47% unemployment rate. Some nurses spend 18-24 months searching for their first job in the major metropolitan areas.

NYC and northern NJ have an abundance of new grad nurses so hospitals prefer to hire BSN prepared nurses especially if they have or are seeking Magnet status. There is minimal demand for inexperienced new grad nurses. There is a high demand for experienced, credentialed specialty nurses (OR, ICU, PICU, NICU, ED, etc. ) many RNs are going to LTC for their first jobs.

If your science credits are more than 5 years old you will need to repeat the coursework for nearly all accredited schools of nursing. Most ABSN programs are rigorous and highly competitive and accept candidates with GPA of 3.7 and higher. Is there a reason your wife cannot work part time to supplement income? You imply that this is absolutely not an option.

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Thank you for the response. My wife is able to work part time to supplement income, but this would be minimal. Typically, however, part-time work does not provide health benefits for the family.

Your comments are very helpful regarding the nursing surplus. This is not something that you typically hear about. It makes complete sense that hospitals demand more of new hires if the hiring pool is flooded with candidates.

Are there hospital nursing positions in this area that have low demand (psych floor, oncology), where the hospitals must lower their standards to accept ADNs?

Is it worth entering another medical field as a stepping stone into nursing (EMT, radiology tech)?

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If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your statistics? I have been doing a ton of searching for similar statistics to help me in my decision making process.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Neither EMT nor radiology tech would be true stepping stones to nursing. EMTs are volunteers in much of the area or relatively low pay. The training is 6 weeks full time (but can be done nights/weekends). Radiology is a 2 year associates program and many are highly competitive for admission also. There are not many radiology classes that cross over to nursing as they have different science courses like physics & radiation whereas nursing has microbiology & pathophysiology.

Some consider LPN a stepping stone but there are few weekend/evening programs and those that exist take around 2 years to complete. But LPNs often start out at less than $20/hr if they can get their first job. CNA experience (short training) can be a stepping stone but pay is $10-12/hr to start.

Even the "less desirable" units like oncology, psych have the opportunity to hire BSNs. If you look at the state forums on allnurses , NY new grads (diploma, ASN, & BSN and direct entry masters) are fighting for their first job 100's to 1000's applying for 1-20 new grad jobs in the hospitals. Even long term care & rehab are asking for a year of med-surg experience as a condition of higher (difficult to get that year of acute experience if no one will hire you).

A few of the prominent health care systems in NY & NJ won't consider any new grad nurse other than BSN grads for their new grad nurse residency (typical nurse pay with extensive orientation and mentoring )

Some new grads are lucky and are hired into units where they did their clinical rotation or senior practicum. ( practicing are generally BSN programs )

It is generally recommended in the current economy to go for BSN. ABSN programs are rigorous, not low cost and not eligible for much financial aid as this is a 2nd bachelors degree. But ABSN programs are often fast paced & full time but you are done in a year.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If you do a search on allnurses there are several articles linked with current statistics. There is a lot of propaganda proclaiming a nursing shortage or predicting a major shortage due to manipulated statistics and assumptions about the level of care the aging population will need. However even Medicare is discouraging extended inpatient acute care and pushing for outpatient, subacute or home health. Home health is really best for experienced nurses as this is independent work with minimal assistance.

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How about getting into hospitals in "low class" areas? Newark/Paterson, etc. Are they accepting ADNs?

Does being a male help the situation or does it not matter at all?

Is work readily available for ADNs in LTC facilities?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
How about getting into hospitals in "low class" areas ?Newark/Paterson etc. Are they accepting ADNs? [/quote']

Like JBN stated, there is a HUGE surplus in the NJ/NY area; you will be competing the same, regardless of area. :yes:

Does being a male help the situation or does it not matter at all? Is work readily available for ADNs in LTC facilities?

Being a male doesn't matter either; and work may or may not be available in LTCs; new grads in your area are competing tooth and nail; if you decide to join this business, be sure to be prepare to continue your day job and moonlight a nurse, IF you can get your first nursing job within 2 years. :blink:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You may consider Newark & Paterson to be "low class " but St Joes & UMDNJ are highly respected facilities that offer higher pay grades thus there is more competition for jobs especially those who wish to work in teaching hospitals with specialized care in pediatrics, surgery , trauma, psych even oncology. These "low class" cities, even Camden & Trenton often have teaching hospitals and regional specialty centers including trauma & pediatrics and as such many nurses would love such an opportunity (of course the higher salary over suburban areas help)

Male new grad ASNs have just as difficult time as female new grad ASNs. Of course an experienced ASN RN has an advantage over even a new grad BSN RN . I know several experienced ASN RNs who were hired over new grad BSNs.

Supply of new grad nurses simply exceeds the demand. There a even competition for RN positions in LTC. The other issue is that facilities are closing units and not replacing nurses as they leave as a "cost saving measure".

The lack of new grad jobs in NY/NJ/PA metro area dates back to the mid 90's.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

How about getting into hospitals in "low class" areas? Newark/Paterson, etc. Are they accepting ADNs?

Does being a male help the situation or does it not matter at all?

Is work readily available for ADNs in LTC facilities?

I am so sorry you have heard all the nursing shortage garbage that is out there.....go to the upper right hand on the page and type no nursing shortage you will have a plethora of information. Go to the career section of the forum and click on first year finding a job. In many areas it is an average of 18 months to find any employment.

Being a male has no impact what so ever on your chances of getting a job. Many new grad orientation programs/residencies are requiring BSN only.....Nurses Schools, Salaries, and Job Data is a website that will show you the surplus of nurses in many areas.[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]Albany[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$61,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]9,500[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+3%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Binghamton[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$55,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,400[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+11%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Buffalo[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$64,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]11,460[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+1%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Elmira[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$54,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]770[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+16%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Glens Falls[/TD]

[TD=align: right][/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,010[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+7%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Ithaca[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$57,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]680[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-5%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Kingston[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$61,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-9%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Nassau[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$78,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]26,180[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+1%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]New York[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$82,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]96,270[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-10%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Poughkeepsie[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$73,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]4,950[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+0%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Rochester[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$60,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]10,850[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+5%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Syracuse[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$59,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]6,780[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+7%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Utica[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$58,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3,020[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+25%[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Many facilities are limiting new grad hires and have hiring freezes. The quote to the staff Obama care and the nursing shortage for purposely short staffing to save money. As you can see your salary as nurse will be MUCH lower than your current salary. You will have to work much harder and have much less control over your environment than you do now.

The days of being able to move about and getting job easily are non existent right now unless you have experience in a critical care area like the ED or ICU's. Those better opportunities you speak of I am sure you are looking at advance nurse practitioner programs or CRNA. These will require bedside experience that is not long term care with CRNA the most stringent for intensive care experience....which hires very few new grads these days for this very reason....many want to get hired and trained and leave for the "big paying jobs".

In recent years....there has been a proliferation of nursing programs....they are cranking out hundreds of new grads every 6 months making a saturated and competitive market.

If you mean undeserved urban areas when you speak of "low class" those jobs have few/no openings as well....probably even less due to money constraints and hiring freezes. Many of the facilities in these areas are your Trauma and academic centers and are highly sought after by nurses for they are the Level one Trauma centers and offer amazing experience.

Long term care is an option but the pay is historically poor and the work unbelievably difficult with nurses responsible for 30 plus patients.

We all love being nurses...don't get us wrong....but the reailty of the present economy cannot be denied. AN was represented in an article for CNN....For nursing jobs, new grads need not apply......https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/cnn-article-nurses-808314.html

Consider your choices wisely.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

No Nursing Shortage

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