maggijo

I just accepted a job at Children's as a graduate nurse, and YES, there's a BSN differential.

How hard is it for a GN to get a job in St. Louis? I keep hearing that it's getting increasingly difficult for new grads to find jobs because of the economy. How can I improve my odds of getting a job? I have a previous degree and work experience, no healthcare experience, and I will graduate with a BSN. Any thoughts/advice? THANKS!

In terms of reputable schools, Maryville U. is way up there in terms of NCLEX scores (most recent: 96%) and good reputation for their BSN program. Something to consider.

Yeah, StL is cheap compared to other cities, but under 100k for a nice house?? Where? I would think these houses are not located in high quality school districts.

I have 2 children and personally, I do NOT recommend starting clinicals one week after giving birth! I could barely walk, much less think straight, one week after having a baby. Take a semester off, enjoy your new baby, and start up again when the dust settles a little. Congratulations, BTW!

Do you know if you have to have seniority to be hired for a weekend option job? Also, do weekenders qualify for benefits (I know PRN don't)? What is considered the "weekend": Fri., Sat., and Sun.? Thanks!

Dumb question from a nursing student: does this mean that it would be +$5.00 for weekend nights?

Thank you for addressing this. I was on bedrest in the hospital for 4 weeks (additional 6 weeks at home), and I saw other patients on the antepartum wing ONE other time, there were NO group activities/movies/crafts, and I was depressed, lonely, and miserable. I would suggest access to some sort of counseling for the patients. Not once was I offered the opportunity to talk to someone about what a scary situation my baby and I were in. In retrospect, I realize how seriously lacking the focus on the psychological/emotional side of bedrest was at this particular hospital. I felt like I was in jail, and it doesn't have to be this way. Anyway, thanks again for this thread.

Where do you live?? I KNOW the salary's nothing like that here in MO.

I'm the original poster. I'm pretty sure of the base pay for new grads in the St. Louis area. I am most interested in hearing how much more people earn as they gain more experience. In other words, once I'm in the profession for 5 years or so, what kind of increase from the $18 or so/hour might I expect? Thanks.

Sorry for the tacky question, but I'm curious: What is your salary? How many years have you been working as an RN? What MO city do you live in? What area do you work in? Thanks!

I wonder if there is an updated salary chart? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks!

New grads make $18.50/hr. in St. Louis, MO area. You can get a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in a good school district for approx. 200-250k, depending on the part of town. This base salary is appalling, in my opinion. I can't believe some of the salaries on here. So much higher than what I will be looking at after graduation.

Can someone tell me where I can find that chart I saw on here a few months ago that ranks all of the states for RN salaries (taking cost of living into consideration)? Thanks!

Thanks for you helpful response about BJC. Did you have a say in what shifts you worked and in what area of the hospital, or did you have to take what you were given? Also, when did you approach BJC about helping out with tuition? Before entering school or once you were in? I begin in the fall of this year and I'm wondering when to do this. Thanks!

I don't know what the Creamery is, but I would say that not having a car in St. Louis would be a little tough. The Metrolink is expanding, but it's not extensive enough of a system yet to take you everywhere you might want to go in St. Louis. Let me know if I can help in any way- check out neighborhoods for you, etc. Congratulations on SLU; it's supposed to be a great program! Good luck!

I'm in St. Louis, too and about to start working on my BSN in the fall. How did that work out for you? Did you have a say in what dept. you worked in and the shifts you had to work, or was that all pretty much in their hands? I've heard that some people regret doing this because they feel taken advantage of and at the mercy of the employer once they begin working. Was this your experience? How did you go about applying for this? Thanks!

I'm making a career switch to nursing at 33 with 2 young children. Please tell me why I will love being a nurse. I need some affirmation that I'm making the right choice, even though I am thrilled about my plans. Thanks!

Great advice! I love the CWE, too. Let me know if you need advice once you have some addresses. Good luck!

Not too far from BJC, you have lots of good neighborhood options, depending on what you're looking for. Many parts of the Central West End (CWE) are great, as well as parts of south city, University City (the Delmar Loop, which is the fun, commercial area on Delmar Blvd. between Big Bend Blvd. and Skinker), and Maplewood. Dogtown is also convenient to BJC-- it's part of St. Louis city. I am more than happy to help you with this. I have lived in St. Louis my whole life and have lived in many different parts of the city. Please feel free to PM me for more detailed info. If you have some addresses or neighborhoods in particular you'd like to ask me about, that would be great.

I know this an old thread, but I thought I'd give it a shot. As a teacher debating whether to go back to teaching or into nursing school (SAHM now), I want to point out 2 things about teaching. First of all, it's a common misconception that teachers sit on the beach or at the pool all summer. GOOD, conscientious teachers work on and off all summer on lesson plans and new ideas. True, you don't have to go into work, but you're constantly working on improving your teaching. The same is true for holidays. My first year of teaching, I worked from 7am to 6pm (required coaching duties), then went home and graded until 10pm. To top it all off, I made $22,000 8 years ago! Secondly, private schools don't necessarily pay more than public. The opposite is true in my city. The bottom line is, don't go into either profession because of the money or time off alone. Take a good look at your passions and what will motivate you to get out of bed each morning and go from there. I'm curious as to what the original poster ended up doing. I will IM her. Any more teacher-to-nurse or nurse-to-teacher people out there? I need to decide between the two in the next two weeks and I'm torn.

Hi, mommyof2grls! I know this is an old post, but if you're still looking for info. on St. Louis, please let me know. I have lived here my whole life in different parts of the city. I don't know a whole lot about the hospitals (not an RN yet), but St. Louis in general, yes. Feel free to contact me! maggijo

Hi, BlessedMom! Have you heard anything from Maryville yet? I check the mail every day, but nada. Are you still planning on attending in the fall if you get in? Good luck to you! Maggijo

I'm not in nursing school yet, but I hope to be next fall. What kinds of jobs could I get in a hospital setting now or when I'm in nursing school, and what kind of salary could I hope to earn? Hold a bachelor's degree, if that matters. TIA.

So sorry you didn't get in this year! That must have been frustrating. Hopefully, we will be in class together next fall! I am taking a nursing elective this semester, just so I can get some credits from Maryville. I really hope I get in. It's the only school I have applied to because it's so family-friendly and career-friendly (if I end up going back to work next year). Does Maryville consider people with MORE credits from Maryville before people with fewer? Anyway, feel free send me a pm. Thanks so much for your message. Maggi