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Hi asudoubleup, It sounds like the night program is the way to go for you, then. As far as teaching goes, it depends on the institution. To teach at a BSN level, you must hold an MSN or PhD. To teach at many other programs, however, you need only a BSN. Since you have a Master's in Edu., they may let you teach some places with that degree plus your RN license. I'm sure it differs from place to place. Good luck to you and enjoy your new career path!!

Hi... The answer is no, not at first. When working as a bedside nurse, typically all RN's make the same rate when they are new grads. In fact, here in Louisville, KY, all of the hospitals try to pay the same base rate to new grads. Later, depending upon your organization, your other degrees MAY make you eligible for administrative promotions, and that would (of course) affect your salary. Have you compared an accelerated 2nd degree BS in Nursing to the ADN program into which you were accepted? Many times the 2nd degree program takes less time than an ADN would. Mine was just 15 months and the other one here in town is only 13 months!!

Twinmom, I don't think you have to worry too much. I know that most places WILL pay more if you have experience, and if you are staying where you are currently, you should get a pay raise as well. Good luck to you!!

I, too, am graduating and August and have been looking at all the options around Louisville. I have found that most offer between $20 & $21/hr starting with night and weekend shift difs (some places will stack them; some will not). I think Jewish has a 15% of base pay shift dif, and most of the others have set addt'l rates for nights & weekends. The VA hospital is the only one that I know of that offers a higher rates for a BSN new grad than a ADN new grad, plus you get federal benefits and transferability of all of your benefits to any VA facility nationwide, plus full licensure at any VA facility, regardless of the state in which you hold your nursing license. Norton is the only one that I know of that has 12-hour 'second shifts' available (11 am - 11 pm). Baptist East supposedly has 24/7 discounted child care available. Decisions, decisions!! Good luck to you!

Wow, I never even knew that was a problem! Most of the grads that I know already had a job right out of school, or volunteered 120 hours somewhere. I always thought it was silly to have to have the hours b/c we get over 250 clinical hours in out last semester during the final course/preceptorship. I'm sorry to hear that it has been so tough for you & classmates to get the experience somewhere. What part of the state are you in?

I wanted to post this, since it was just finalized a few days ago. From http://kbn.ky.gov/license/: "Administrative regulation 201 KAR 20:070 has been filed with the Legislative Research Commission. Effectively immediately, all applicants for licensure may be made eligible to sit for NCLEX and be issued a provisional license. This allows an applicant to take NCLEX prior to completing the clinical internship, if they so choose. Passing NCLEX and completion of the clinical internship are required by law in order to be licensed as a nurse in Kentucky. This regulation change will affect all applicants for licensure by examination." :up:So, for those of us just completing nursing school, we will be able to sit for NCLEX before 120 clinical hours post graduation! This should increase state pass rates because the sooner you take the NCLEX after graduation, the higher the knowledge retention. Thanks, State Board!:bowingpur

OH! Also, I am not sure how familiar you are with the B'ham area, but Sylacauga is about 50 mi. SE of downtown B'ham, and the travel between the two is on the busiest highway in the state of Alabama. Something to keep in mind when deciding upon your employer!!

Burner, I think the Baylor program they are referring to is when there is one staff that works the weekdays and one staff that works the weekends. I think by saying "Baylor Nights" it is meant Fri&Sat nights 7p-7a.

First off, Roll Tide!!! Seriously, though...I second the recommendation to go for your accelerated BSN degree. I graduated from Bama in 2001 and am just now finishing up a 2nd degree program at U of Louisville in KY. The program itself is only 15 mos. long and I will be awarded a complete 2nd BS when I graduate Aug. 9th. Not all places will pay you more to have a BSN, but the schooling may end up being SHORTER for you that way than with an ADN & employers have all told me that they :redbeathe hiring 2nd degree students. You're also all set to move on and get a Master's or Doctorate if you should so choose. Good luck to you!!!

Thanks, Suzanne. I wanted to get an overview from different areas in the country; that is why I posted here. I wanted to know what the trends were in different states and communities, not just were I currently reside.

Thanks for the input! I think writing "negotiable" is a GREAT idea! Also, I'd never thought about CNA/LPN work counting as "previous experience." Don't know why I didn't, because that makes total sense to me! As far as the benefits to, hospitals are terrific about posting what THOSE are, but not their starting rates. Wonder why? I was a financial planner & advisor in my "former life" and feel very comfortable evaluating fringe benefits along with salaries. It has just been a mystery to me to find out what those salaries ARE. We did have one hospital come visit my school that actually gave their starting pay information, and they said they are the highest in the Louisville, KY, area with a starting base of $19.75. Also, that was almost a year ago and they expected it to be adjusting upwards. Thank again for all of the info!

:rolleyes:Oooops, that should be what is *THE* going hourly rate for new grads in your area.... To clarify: When I started nursing school, it wasn't with the idea of "yay, I will get a PAYCHECK for this!" I just really wanted to switch to a career that I would find rewarding. Now as I begin to apply for jobs (I graduate Aug. 9th), most of the applications have a line for "expected salary." I don't know what to put! I don't feel comfortable asking people what they are making, as I was always taught that was a rude question. I am also open to relocating, and while I can find information on the cost of living in different places, and on the mean staff nurse's salary in different places, I can NOT seem to find information on what I will be able to expect as a new BSN graduate.:uhoh21: Also, any resources with this type of information would be greatly appreciated!!!:heartbeat

I'm glad you brought this up because I have this fear too! I will be starting my preceptorship next week and have only given a couple of IM injections and one MedPort blood draw. I am afraid because I have experienced so much pain with others trying to get MY veins, and it is my biggest fear to inflict pain on someone and not even get the catheter in right! At school we aren't allowed to practice on each other, either In fact, they have threatened expulsion if we "go behind [their] backs" and they hear about us practicing on each other, or on people outside of a supervised clinical setting. "You will learn all of the PRACTICAL skill when you get out there." (yada yada yada!!)

What is get going hourly rate for new grads in your area (hospital, LTC)? What are the shift diffs/incentives for nights/weekends? Thanks!!!!

Oh, well, then no worries there! I think you should just make sure you have all of the requirements met and then send in the app a couple of weeks before the deadline (to insure they receive it on time). I'm sure that they base their selection on qualifications, not on when the app gets there. On your resume, you can always list BSN (pending) if you have to send it in before.