Scootie

I earned my BSN, and plan to do school again later to be a nurse practitioner or whatever I decide. My preceptor at my first job did ADN and started working at 20 years old. She then went straight back to school and did her ADN to BSN. As soon as she graduated she started work on her masters degree. She has spent years and years in school, but she doesn't have a lot of debt from loans because 1)She had a real job the whole time, not a waitress job or a side job like most college students have to just make enough money for meals and rent. and 2)Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement. At my first job, after 90 days of employment you could get the hospital to help you pay back your loans. They were paying 400.00 a month towards student loans! I could have never done that on my own! I think the key is doing what you want. Either way is the smart way, it just depends on the experience you want to have. Money is a big deal, but don't let it stop you from doing what you want. Remember there are scholarships out there. I have never had any luck with those random scholarships you see posted on websites, but who knows! People do receive them.

wow thank you so much for this great info!

I am looking into taking a position in ICU at Pomona Valley Hospital. Has anyone ever traveled there before? Any thoughts? Good or bad?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

ginceasar - I am new to travel nursing, but have read enough to know about the mixed reviews with Kaiser. What is decent pay for California? I saw in your post that you were not pleased with 1090 take home. Most of the assignments I have gotten information on were around that much. Should I negotiate for more?

This might be a crazy question, but is there internet aboard cruises? My husband travels with me, but to do his job he needs a reliable internet question.

I was a new grad and started on days in ICU. I switched shifts with a girl on nights for a week. She thought she wanted to try days and I wanted to try nights so it just work out. She ended up staying on nights, and I joined her. I liked nights better. Its slower paced, mainly because you get to take care of your patient and don't also have to take care of their family members and their doctors all day long. The work is better. The pay is better. The stress on your body is more. You get to where you pretty much stay tired all the time. I would see if you could try it for a while if you don't know how you will react to the new schedule.

Hi everyone. I am new to travel nursing. It is my dream. I have already had a bad experience with, Shelia, the co-owner from RN Recruit. I worked with her in a local hospital and soon quit my job there to travel. Things were going well getting all my paperwork in and then she disappeared. She got back in touch with me and said she was sorry, but then she did it again. It always seems like she goes MIA when I am about to take an assignment. It took calling her from a phone number she wouldn't recognize to get her to answer the phone. I would strongly advise you to tell everyone you know to now waste their time with this company. It has been a very frustating and disappointing experience. So, I am moving on. I had recently filled out an online application to on assignment. I don't really know anyone who used them so I was wondering if you could let me know of some good recruiters. Do you know anything about Jessica?

My grandmother graduated nursing school at age 64! ha! No doubt, your journey to become an RN will be different from those 22 year olds that you see, but who cares!? It is your life. You can do whatever you want! I really admire parents who work hard for their dreams and still support their kids and family. One of my best friends at work was a single mom of two children working two jobs and still had dreams of making the change from an CNA to an RN. Good Luck to you!