arkmann

Since you're French, would you mind working in Canada?

I agree. Norcal is a totally different story. You'd be lucky if you get hired as a new graduate there.

From I have read around the forum, a newly RN graduate will make about $30-35/hour here in Southern California. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I guess the articles that I read didn't really address your experiences. I am weighing my options right now and trying to see what would be best for me. Also, what I meant regarding the mid $60K per year was I would be getting that much next year. Correct me if I'm wrong but I was assuming that a newly grad RN would be making around the same amount.

Thanks for the experienced input Johnny. Hopefully what you are saying would not be the future norm because if it does come true, healtcare as we know it would cease to exist (imo).

I read somewhere that 54% of health care workers are nurses and that they are the foundation of the health care reform and there will still be a shortage that they say will last well into the 2020's. I really want to be a nurse and to make my decision harder, by the time I graduate, my salary as an new RN will be similar to what I made from the job that I quit from (which should be about mid to high $60K by summer 2011.). I am shooting to be a NP and according to what I have read, the bill will encourage way to nurse run health clinics (NP) to alleviate some of the pressures caused by a shortage of doctors. I will try to get the resources for what I have said above. Also, hard work and long hours are nothing new to me. Oh by the way, is there any part time BSN or entry level bsn programs in CA? I really want to get an MSN and get most of the training out of the way thus I am aiming for CSULB or CSULA. If there's no school, I would have to quit a good paying job and pursue nursing full time with the assistance of my very talented girlfriend.

If you think about it though, nurses will always have jobs. Its just a matter of being where the jobs are and how many years you are willing to sacrifice to get the word "experience" under your belt and then you go hunting for the better paying jobs.

But will the law be beneficial to the nursing career? I won't be done in 2 hopefully 3 years time anyways so I am fine with that.

^I definitely think about that cosmicsun. Specially now with the passing of the health bill. I will definitely keep a close eye on how the nursing field will get affected with the new bill.

I am in the same boat as you. But in my case, I have called almost al of the nursing admissions counselors regarding my gpa and according to them my gpa (2.96) would generally be accepted as a 3.0. If I was in your shoes, I would still apply and not expect anything out of the very competitive schools. I'm going to apply to a total of 7 schools this fall for admission on summer/fall 2010 just to play it safe...

Again thanks for the insightful posts guys. To the other post on page 3, I'm a civilian and not enlisted in the navy. I really like the post that I owe it to myself to go for it because eihter way, I will have something to fall back on with my experience in the environmental field. With regards to the work hours, I think I can handle that easily. I was working 12 hour nights at a warehouse 2 weeks after my arrival in United States. I work hard and have always been commended in all the companies that I have worked for in my 11 years in the United States. In terms of long term goal, well let's just say I might set up my own nursing care facility or even care for special children. Then there's my gf's architectural firm, a cake shop.... Hahaha... A lot of plans but one step at a time I guess.

Also, I don't know if this is a clincher but I actually know a handful of people who are nurses or pt. I also know a couple of DON one of which is my gf's mother.

Thanks for the input guys. All your responses doesn't make my decision easier. For now though I will finish my pre-requisites and come fall, I will submit all my applications to 7 schools and then I will decide depending on a multitude of factors. Also, I think I really want to be a nurse. I seem to have a "helping bone" in me. I remember how wonderful I felt when I helped older people when I was a customer service representative. I know the analogy may be a little askew but I guess I am willing to take the risk...

Thanks for the input vegas. I'm pretty sure no one would want to be in my shoes right now. I'm doing great at work, praises here and there, huge projects being assigned to me eventhough I've only been in my current job for 6 months. I guess if I continue with my work ethic at my current job, it can be a career. I can only imagine what I can do in the nursing field. I have always been a hard worker and have great work ethic. I also think that the entry level master's program would suit me well because I already have a bachelors and after getting my MSN, I can pursue certifications in my chosen acute specialty. It would be great if I can get to CSULB or CSULA since they offer FNP off the bat. Again thanks for the kind and blunt words. It puts more things into perspective which makes the decision even harder.

^Strong words music in my heart and I like that. I've heard that your last line more than once... My motivation to be a nurse is that's what I would like to do and I know I will be good at it. If I should push to go in that direction or not is another story. Again thanks for the mixed opinions everyone. This thread could have been a poll

^Thanks vegas. I actually have a 6-year plan that includes finishing nursing school and doing the family gig. I even have a plan as to what I can do with the profession and how to use it to my financial independence. I definitely have the drive, always had. This decision is probably the biggest decision that I will do in my life. Imagine giving up a decent paying job which has a promise of job security and upward mobility. At the same time though I fell like I owe it to myself to go to nursing school and fill that "longing." I also think that I will be a pretty good nurse. I actually applied to one of the entry level master's program in one of the CSU's and I thought I have a good chance of getting accepted because they already called me for an interview but I felt that I wasn't ready to make that decision yet. This coming fall though is the make it or break it time. Should I stay or should I go....(like the song)

^That crossed my mind too. In two to three years time, hopefully the market is better and the shortage cycle has already passed. Sorry about you not finding a job yet. Although I am really leaning towards going to nursing school though.

I do like what I'm doing right now but I wouldn't say I love it. Everybody that I have asked regarding my plans doesn't seem to approve of it as well. I wouldn't say that "I'm born to be a nurse" but it has always been at the back of my head. I have no concerns about my current job. It actually holds a lot of promise. If all falls into place, I will most likely be hired as a government worker which comes with its own perks. I already have job security eventhough I'm not a federal employee yet. Being one only finalizes it. I am really worried about the job outlook after nursing school. Sure I will have a MSN under my belt but I have absolutely zero experience being a nurse. I know that I will have to literally burn my eyebrows looking for a job after graduation. I'm not getting any younger either. I'm turning 29 this year. Not really in a hurry to do the "family gig" but it has crossed my mind. I have to decide by this fall too because most if not all CSUs accepts fall applicants by the end of fall semester. One year wait from there on. Thanks for the input Nicki. I guess you're in the "Do not do it side of the situation unless you really think you are born to do it." Decisions decisions...

I'm in such a dilemma... 4 years ago, when I was about to decide which majors I wanted to take in university (UC), I had two choices,they were political science and nursing. I chose political science with the intent to go into law school for environmental law. After two years in university, I decided that law school wasn't for me. I also got a minor in Environmental Systems by the way. Fast forward 4 years to 2009. Whilie in university, I was working in the environmental field and still am right now. I now have 4 years experience working in the environmental/safety field. Working in a Navy installation (civilian contractor), making decent money ($50K-60K/yr range) and enjoying the single life. Since last summer though, I made the decision to start taking all the pre-requisites to apply to nursing school. Not too toot my owh horn by I am doing pretty good too. All As except one B. Now I'm in a dilemma deciding if I will continue with my pursuit of a nursing degree. I actually have it all planned out. I was thinking of applying to entry level master's program to 5 CSUs and two JCs as back up plans. I will be finished with all the prerequisites at 7 schools this fall. Also, I will probably have enough money saved up to pay for half if not most of all the tuition needs of an ELMPs at the CSU level. NOW IF YOU WERE ME, WOULD YOU PUSH WITH THIS PLAN IF YOU WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS I AM AFTER CONSIDERING ALL FACTORS SUCH AS ECONOMIC AND JOB OUTLOOK.