Nurse want to be???

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I am a 28 year old male looking for a career change. I started looking into nursing while I was in the military, and now that I am out. I want to start. I want to know some of the issue that is posed to men in the field? Also moving back to Boston, where I believe is the Medical capital of the world, what are some of the better program, with the least amount time to devote to school. Like I said I am 28yrs old. Also can someone tell me "some of the better hospitals", to work for; and their salaries?

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I am a 28 year old male looking for a career change. I started looking into nursing while I was in the military, and now that I am out. I want to start. I want to know some of the issue that is posed to men in the field? Also moving back to Boston, where I believe is the Medical capital of the world, what are some of the better program, with the least amount time to devote to school. Like I said I am 28yrs old. Also can someone tell me "some of the better hospitals", to work for; and their salaries?

boston hospitals are tough to get into these days.

maybe you'll get a better response, posting in the massachusetts nsg forum?

beth israel, mass gen'l, brigham & womens, are all good hospitals.

i personally love boston med'l center (old boston city): a lot of trauma there.

new eng med'l ctr is also good.

brigham's is known for their high wages.

all others, likely mid 20's/hr to start.

best of luck to you.

leslie

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Hi Male28,

There is an entire forum dedicated to male nurses on this site. I'm sure you'll find some valuable insight there from men like yourself interested in the field of nursing.

I am a nurse in Boston and am familiar with alot of the nursing programs around here. An associate degree program will take you the least amount of time (generally 2+ years) to become an registered nurse. There are many schools on the outskirts of Boston with programs for an ADN. There is, however, the issue of these schools having waiting lists, which will add additional months.

Obtaining your BSN is becoming almost necessary if you wish to work for one of the large teaching hospitals Boston is famous for. Mass General, Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel, Children's etc are becoming very picky when hiring new nurses. You would have much better job opportunities awaiting you after graduation if you were to obtain your BSN. Generally BSN's take 4-5 years to complete.

Then, there is always the option or getting your ADN, then working as an RN while you complete your BSN and beyond, if you wish. This is a good option if you are anxious to get going.

I find the "better hospitals" as you mentioned, to be those I listed above (MGH, BWH etc.). And salaries for new grad nurses are looking up! On average, I'd say you'd start anywhere from $24/hr at a community hospital up to a max of $30/hr at the large medical centers in town.

All of this is just my opinion, but I hope my insight helps. I am a new graduate nurse and I really understand how tough it is choosing a program and completing nursing school.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I was about to direct you to the Male Nursing Forum, but someone beat me to it. I will say, don't get too discouraged about some of the threads on discrimination, etc. I'm sure it happens, but I don't think it's the norm. I've had a great time, being a nurse, and most of the guys I know say the same. Plus, I think my inner child is going through puberty, working around so many women.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I would say first thing spend a 12 hours shift with a nurse on a med/surg floor and see if you still are interested in being a nurse. Then look at the first year of nursing forums and see if you still want to be a nurse. It will take you years to get into a nursing program especially in the Northeast, because there are not enough class seats and everyone and I mean everyone is going into nursing... Check out other health care fields too. X-ray, Ultrasound, physical therapy...

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About 1/5 of the nurses I work with in SICU are men. If Boston does not work out, look into the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina-lots of jobs here.

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Thanks everyone for your input.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

New grad male nurse who just retired from the military. I work at Beth Israel in Boston. Salary for a new grad is $26.42/hr not counting diff pay. Although I have an associates degree, the Boston area hospitals are leaning more towards hiring new grads with their BSN. Being a male nurse I have yet to encounter any form of discrimination or bias. If you feel nursing is for you than I would suggest that you shadow a nurse. Some believe that nursing is an easy job, its not. At times it is physically demanding, and mentally challenging. I happen to really enjoy it at the present time. Good luck in your quest. Also as one of the other posters alluded to you may want to consider radiology, lab technologist, respiratory therapy, these allied health fields are also in need of help and the salaries are comparable to nurses. The wait for nursing school is running close to 3 years with most programs in the area.

Gerry

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Specializes in Medicine.

Hi there,

So, MGH has a nursing school, well a diploma school, you may want to look into that if you are serious regarding nursing. I am a new grad myself, and I love the job that I do. I really think that there are few jobs when you can truly make a difference in a person's life. It can be demanding and there will be days when I think "what did I get myself into??" but when all is said at the end of my shift, I go home feeling like I have made some small difference. I have been in healthcare since I was 17 working as a CNA and now I am finally a nurse!

Go forward with this wonderful career, it will pay off in more ways then one!

Shopgirl1

P.S. The salary is good, MGH starts at 27.75, BWH is a little higher, and I think that the others are in the 25-26/hr range!

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What two programs do you recommend?

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I am currently in the ACCEL BSN program at Curry College. If you have a bachelor's in another field, you can be done in just 16 months (not including prerequisites). The program starts in January and ends in May of the following year - I'll be graduating in May!! It is very strenuous and tough to get in, but I think men have great luck getting into this program. Out of 30 students, about 1/3 were men.

Here's the website: http://www.curry.edu/Academics/Continuing+Education/Bachelor+Degree+Programs/Accelerated+Nursing.htm

good luck!

-s

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I am currently in the ACCEL BSN program at Curry College. If you have a bachelor's in another field, you can be done in just 16 months (not including prerequisites). The program starts in January and ends in May of the following year - I'll be graduating in May!! It is very strenuous and tough to get in, but I think men have great luck getting into this program. Out of 30 students, about 1/3 were men.

Here's the website: http://www.curry.edu/Academics/Continuing+Education/Bachelor+Degree+Programs/Accelerated+Nursing.htm

good luck!

-s

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