BeachNurse

I'm in Jacksonville..

Well I am FROM northern VA and have been working in FL for the past 6.5 years as a RN. Florida is SAD in the way of salary. I only make $23.50/hr with all my years of experience. I started at $17/hr in 2000. The pay is pitiful... and let me tell you- GAS, FOOD, and CLOTHING costs MORE here than it does in N. VA. I am in the process of relocating back up there since my divorce is final.

Hi there..Jacksonville University has a dual MSN/MBA program. JU also has a physical campus. I believe that U of Phoenix does too. I was thinking seriously about pursuing a RN-BSN then to the MSN/MBA but I decided to go elsewhere and work on my NP. JU is VERY pricey though. I believe the online courses are in the range of at least $300/credit hour.

Just wondering...how can you ever become a nurse without laying hands on a patient? Surely you can't learn it online..

The first thing I asked the UF program director was if they anticipated whether NP salaries would go up with the DNP degree. She took great offense to the question and stated that she was not knowledgeable on the subject, that their concern was bringing a higher level of professionalism and getting ready for the future of NP practice. My concern was whether it would be worth my while financially (to pay for school) and get the Doctorate. After some thought, I decided that I would prefer to go for it, and that it might give me an edge later on. I have always wanted to get a Doctorate..this is my chance. I have to finish my BSN first, but after that she told me the DNP program would take me 3 years if I go part time. It doesn't seem like it's much longer than they told me it would take get the Master's.

Hello..I'm in Jax also!

I will be going back to school soon and I work a full-time job and also PRN most weekends. I know that I will have to cut out the PRN stuff once I get into the full swing of school. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. The fatigue and the brain fog get to me too...but I don't let it hold me down!!

That is what I have read also. My sister is a PharmD and there are great similarities between the two. I think they have phased out Registered Pharmacists...PharmD's definately have a lot of respect and are integrated strongly with other healthcare providers.

Thanks for the info..I actually did some more checking around. I want to attend University of Florida and THEY are phasing out their Master's prepared NP program. So if you want to do NP you have to do the DNP program. I am strongly considering it and I think it's a step UP for nurses..it has to be. University of Florida has a much better nursing school reputation than my alternatives, so I am planning to go for it..

I am in Florida and was wondering if anyone else has heard about this. I was thinking of going back to school with a RN-to-MSN program and becoming a NP. I was told there is no more RN to MSN program, and that BSN's will be able to obtain a Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree to become a Nurse Practitioner. What is your take on this? Is this happening all over the country? What do you think it will mean for the nursing profession?

She is a contracted clinical research associate, or monitor. She doesn't even work directly "for" one of the pharmaceutical companies. Lately these CRA positions ask for a minimum of 2 years monitoring experience, so you cant just jump into it. I have been in research as a site coordinator for five years, and many probably wont give me the time of day. All I am doing for right now is submitting resumes to the companies who seem willing to hire people that have only one year of exp. I am considering taking a course in monitoring but holding off to see if I get an interview/job offer. It might just come down to how badly/how soon they need someone for someone to give me a chance. That's someone with clinical research EXPERIENCE, so I imagine it could be difficult for someone who has none.

I agree with you, however, I was speaking of my own personal plans. I have three children, ages 12, 10 and 2, and my husband is currently finishing a college degree. Going back to school does not currently fit into my budget or my schedule, however, earning 80K definately would. This is my personal goal, but I understand that other nurses may want to achieve something different. Let me also say that I am not only in nursing for the money, however, it has been my experience in talking to friends and colleagues that getting the degree is often expensive and sometimes doesn't lead to a better career or better pay. I have done the low paid, high demand jobs and it's just not where I want to be right now. I want to make the big bucks without slaving away at the bedside.

Hi, I have seen it too. Frankly, I really don't see the need for it right now. I am thinking of trying to become a Clinical Research Associate, a "monitor" who basically audits other research sites and involves frequent travel. The pay is outstanding. I can't justify spending money to back to school to for what is most certainly a low-paid position. My direct supervisor is Director of Research and only has a BSN. My last supervisor was a PA. I know they don't make that much money because we are in academia. Realistically, in the research world I don't see a need for such a specialized degree, unless you live somewhere that research opportunities are abundant. What it comes down to is experience--if you put someone who has this degree up against the vast majority of nurses who have research experience, the BSN will beat the Master's prepared nurse for the job. I spoke to an Associate's Degreed (RN) CRA (monitor) last week who told me she once made $102,000 a year working for one of the drug companies!! Recently she switched companies and took a pay cut (down to $85,000 a year) because she needed a job with less stress. It sounds good to me, and if I can get my foot in, I won't bother with going back to school.

Our NIH studies are grant-based and federally funded. We do HIV studies so the money is always there. In the 10 year research history of our dept, we have never even been close to firing anyone over budget short-falls. We also do some pharmaceutical/industry sponsored studies for other infectious diseases/childhood vaccines.

This is my job title. It involves the coordination of clinical research studies. You see patients for study visits, obtain informed consent, conduct study procedures (could be anything from a survey to and EKG, blood draw, etc.), complete case report forms, prepare and submit study protocols to an Institutional Review Board. Basically you are the ringleader for everything involved in a study or (as most common, SEVERAL different studies!). Every so often you meet with a study monitor who comes to check you and your institution/department/docs out to be sure you are in compliance with FDA regulations. I really enjoy my job. It gives me a chance to get close to my patients and their families. You also get to be involved the "cutting edge" of new medications and treatments for patients who often have no choices left. The hours are great for me. I work days 9-5, no nights, weekends, holidays, or call. There are some downsides. Research means you follow some of the same patients for several months or years (some nurses dont like that). Also my patients have 24 hr access to me (pager). If you are very unlucky, you may also receive visits from an FDA inspector for either routine monitoring of a study or--worse, for "cause". We had a routine one last year and I can honestly say it was one of the most stressful experiences in my life. Mistakes or ANY suspicious/missing/inconsistent data can lead to anything from a slap on the wrist to jail time and fines for anyone involved. So Research, while an enjoyable job, comes with a lot of responsibilities that are tied up with ethical treatment of people and responsibility to uphold the federal and state laws.