Sandpit3

I've been an RT for 20+ yrs. but need and want to change to nsr. My family is almost raised. I am 48:eek: and plan to enter nsr school 2012 after my pre-reqs (2nd time). which places graduation at 2014. an I'll be how old????? I guess as long as my health is maintained w/ a full and prt. time job(s) I might be OK. Going to feel weird in clinicals again w/ students, some of which are probably younger than my children. waddya think??

Thank you for your encouragement, hope I can afford it.

I certainly plan to spend some at the bedside via ICU, ED, PACU etc.. and hope to obtain my BSN. I'll have to see how I do and look into all the possilbilities. I'm not sure I'll have enough time (currently 48 yrs. young) or the $$ for a masters. My biggest concern as to whether I complete this or not is the substancial pay cut starting in Nsr. Any ideas?

thanks for your responce. I also plan on keeping my RRT current to helpm pay the bills. After a year or two I plan on my BSN on line and look foward to the variety of opportunities available. I'm hopeful the economy will improve by the time I graduate (2014). My goals include utilizing my RT/RN skills in the right environment. eg. ED, ICU etc.. I am most concerned about how to survive the pay cut, if I can or not. or should I not even go through with the RN for that reason:confused: My pay cut will probably be around 12-15 thousand. Maybe if I work nights the first year and keep the RT prn job I might make it. Curbe expenses (yea right!!) the marriage prob. would not make it. My goals are clear to me why the RN path eg. opportunities and my pay will catch up, I need some cheerleading and ideas how to make it financially. loans are not really an option, credit not so good, co-signed the children's college, my wife makes very little. I am concerned that maybe I am not being realistic and could find myself in a real bind. Thanks for listening

Hello, first post have mercy, and thank you. Looking for advice. I have been a RT for 20 yrs. hospital and homecare, and am near the top of my payscale as a staff RT. Advancing is near impossible. I have desired to complete a RN degree, but raising a family came first. Done the research for different options and am in the process of completeing the only realistic viable one: completing the prereqs again eg. math, micro, A&P etc. due to the over eight yr. limit. and plan to apply to the local Comm. College RN program, w/ the hope of then completing an on-line BSN. Here are my concerns: I have most of the financial burden of the household eg. mortgage, car payments etc.., I am 48 yrs young, with plenty of energy and a strong desire to learn and expand my horizons, I have a full and part time hosp. job, and the most concerning will be the pay cut to start as an RN. I prob. won't start at the bottom of the scale, but their will be a substancial pay cut. and then their is the clinicals to complete. The RN program may only have to include the core RN courses 1.5 to 2/ semester when I have finished the prereqs. I am almost done, just have micro and A&P to complete and hope to apply to start 2012. I am doing well so far 4.0. So biggest concern is working during school, (have to) and that pay cut:confused: I may have to work nights for a year, climb the clinical ladder agressively, cut costs at home. I would really like to work as an RN because of 1) the variety of RN possibilities, 2) clinical ladder 3) total care of the patient and feeling I am making more of a difference and more fulfilled 3) larger resource base. etc.. I hope to catch up with the pay scale after a few years, right?? HELP, HELP, HELP!!!! need advice. is it worth it? What should I do? need encouragement, this is very very confusing!! Thanks for taking the time to read this. looking for a responce.