Reality check: Are my expectations high?

Get2theChoppa · Mar 16, 2014

Here in Cali, all applicants have 4.0+ GPA, excellent TEAS scores, experience in the health care field, etc. Sorry to say, but you really are just another well-qualified applicant.

What sets people apart are all of the things they've done in addition to that. Second/third language ablilities, military experience, work abroad (not study abroad), volunteer hours, publications -- and that's just for acceptance into regular state schools and universities!

For the job market, experienced nurses get the better pay, nurses who go on to become advanced practice nurses get better pay. Entry level nurses (regardless of their "top" college degree) have no relevant RN work experience so they're just the same as everybody else. A nurse manager once told me that she doesn't care where her new hires went to school -- the only thing that she really looks at is the number of clinical hours an applicant has. Additionally, I've discovered that getting a good job is more about WHO you know, not WHAT you know. Network, make good connections, that's a better job guarantee than a "top" college degree.

iPink, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2014

Your academic accomplishments will be only be relevant when you are trying to get into a top nursing program or when you decide to go to grad school.

As a new grad, employers are looking for your license, not the GPA you show off on your résumé. At that point they aren't interested in your SAT scores.

Most hospitals start new grads at the same pay rate no matter the specialty. Don't expect to get a higher pay just because you graduated from Harvard with a 5.2 GPA.

Sent via iPink RN's iPhone using allnurses.com

NeoNatMom · Mar 16, 2014

Honestly I'm sure all of us including you at one point had the same or similar concerns as the OP. He or she is being upfront and honest trying to find answers. The is no need for smart comments such as the ones you posted. The OP isn't a lazy slacker and is clearly taking initiative to get somewhere. How about some humility? Isn't that what nurses should have?

BrandonLPN, LPN · Mar 16, 2014

What's REALLY going to get you a job is who you know and where you've worked. New grads who were techs during school are way better placed upon graduation than those who weren't.

The new RN who was a tech and went to a "no name" University is better situated than the new grad who went to Johns Hopkins but has no tech connections....

NeoNatMom · Mar 16, 2014

OP:

One thing to do that can help you in your journey would be to look into programs that have externships. These won't bump up your pay really, but they give you some bedside experience will help to get into a hospital that you are doing clinicals in. If the hospital sees you to be a good asset to their staff, then you have a better shot at getting hired as a new grad. Another thing you can do, would be to take a CNA to Patient Care Tech class. This you could do while in high school. The more experience you have in healthcare, the better off you are. Do you know any foreign languages? Some healthcare facilities will pay $1-2 more an hour because you have the ability to care for patients who do not speak English. I myself will be getting certified for ASL interpretation after I get my ADN, and then Spanish. Look into these options. They wont make your pay immensely higher, but RN salary and wages are pretty decent, especially if you are single. If you want higher pay, I would just work towards your MSN. Hope you found this helpful. I sure wish I knew that this was what I wanted to do at your age. Keep up the great work! PS all of those credentials you mentioned may not get you paid higher as a new grad, but the broader your knowledge is, the better your off in life. That is long lasting. Dont let that go! :up:

native_texan · Mar 16, 2014

Hi there. I'm currently a high school teacher (soon to change careers) and my dad was an ER nurse. We are in Texas. He worked as a paramedic for years before getting his RN. You might want to think about being an EMT while you are getting your prereq's. So far in my 44 years of experience, most jobs are about your experience, skills and who you know...not the university you went to. High schools teach it all wrong. Sorry, but true. You need to work backwards. Begin with the end in mind.

So, you want to be an ER nurse and make a good living for your family. Find out what region will provide that for you. Then, research how those ER nurses got to where they are. My dad is called to ALL areas of the hospital ALL the time because of his amazing ability to start IV's in children, elderly, addicted patients, etc. He was able to get his RN online through a Paramedic to RN program. His only "clinical" was a 4-day test in another state in which he had to perform multiple clinical skills. (I should say that about 75% fail on their first time, but he passed with flying colors.)

The first (and best) quality that you have is a strong work ethic. Just continue to do your research (and not from your HS counselor). Talk to nurses here and then take it all in stride. Don't let others deter you from your goal. As long as you are realistic and understand that there is no "quick money," you'll be fine.

I wish you the best of luck!

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 16, 2014

Not necessarily dream job, but a nice hosital, etc. I want to believe that the harder you work for something, the better you do in life. Can I get an internship? Other posters have said that if you don't land that critical care/ER/name a department job within your first two jobs you'll be doomed to undesirable jobs at home health, etc. for the rest of your career, which is something I'm not as interested in. As I've said, my intention isn't to sound like a pompous ass or anything; I've just worked hard to get to the position to go where I want for school, and I want to continue to try to maximize my success. Community college grads don't land Fortune 500 jobs as often as Yale grads do; In other words, I'm not expecting to make 10k more than another applicant, but get into a more desirable hospital/my preferred department.

Employers generally don't care where you went to school or what your GPA was. They care that you've passed NCLEX, or that you pass it on the first attempt if you're hired before you sit for NCLEX.

You might want to consider dropping the elitist tone. It will cause you a world of hurt with your nursing peers, some of whom may be those lowly community college grads.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 16, 2014

I disagree with some of the previous posters -- and wonder how much experience with hiring they have.

Some hospitals do look at where an applicant went to school, particularly when hiring new grads (less so when considering an experienced nurse). Going to a well-respected school can help you to stand out as an applicant and get you an interview -- but it won't guarantee you a job -- and it is highly unlikely to get you any more money. You'll most likely be paid the same as any other new grad with a BSN.

If you want the best jobs, the best pay, the best schedules, etc. ... that will probably require that you get a few years of experience first and do "all the right things" in addition to just getting grades in school. By "all the right things" I mean things like high-quality externships, senior-year capstone experiences, volunteering, part-time job while a student, etc. You don't have to do all of those things, but doing 1 or 2 of those things can help a lot in getting a good first job.

Then once you are hired as a new grad nurse, you climb the career ladder by being a good employee, supporting your leadership team, helping promote your employer's goals, participating in unit projects and committees, participating in a professional association, getting certified in your specialty, getting a graduate degree, etc. Again, you don't have to do everything -- and you certainly don't have to do it all at the same time -- but doing some of these things helps you advance.

You'll probably earn more money more quickly in your career if you choose a field other than nursing. It is simply not high paying field relative to what top students can earn in other professions. But if a nursing career is what you want, you can make good decisions and get a decent job and have a reasonably good life -- probably not luxurious, but comfortable -- and meaningful.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Mar 17, 2014

^^^ this

if I have a whole stack of applicants, I look for things that may move a candidate to the top of a skill. A BSN from Loyola, Rush, any of the good area programs will pique my interest.

No guarantees, but: Study hard, excel in your clinicals, network & create a positive impression and you'll be more likely to earn the job you desire.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 17, 2014

Also, be aware that BSN vs. ADN "hire-ability" is very geographically dependent. In my area, the local ADN program has a stellar reputation for graduating students who have terrific hands-on skills. There are 5 BSN programs in the area that have less regard in terms of employer satisfaction hiring their new grads. One BSN program is very highly rated. The difference in pay between the ADN vs. the BSN? 12 cents per hour! (Again, this is very regional).

I'm spending less money getting the RN from the ADN program and finishing the BSN with the state university than spending tons of money on a "prestigious" university that gives me no advantage in the marketplace whatsoever, other than "oh, you went to X university" during an interview.

My point is: do your research and don't base your entire future on what ONE person told you. Talk to HR departments and ask what they prefer to see when hiring new nursing grads.

hellonewyear, BSN · Mar 17, 2014

I agree with my fellow posters. Salary is entirely dependent on region. Here in Portland, new grad pay is rough 27-30.00 per hour. But skip a few states over, and it can be capped at 19.00. Generally speaking, the school you attended has no impact on wage. The only school factor that can potentially bump pay is ADN vs. BSN. That being said, if nursing is the career you wish to pursue, don't let money dissuade you.

Ally082 · Mar 18, 2014

I'm a pre-nursing student that comes here to understand the field of nursing because I care about being an excellent nurse one day. I'm a little taken back by how harsh some of the comments are towards a high school KID. Many of us come here to be informed because we are fed "hype" by schools we apply to. The competition and pressure can be unbearable. Maybe telling him to relax because none of that matters here would be a better way to respond. Don't punish him because he is confused or misinformed, be a mentor, guide him and just answer his questions like a professional.

I believe he was quoting the nurse he shadowed who clearly didn't like her job and was obviously not a good influence on him. However I agree his over eagerness to prove he isn't just a typical lazy teen backfired.

OP, I think that some people gave you good advice, the way it works generally is everyone starts at the bottom( maybe there is exceptions at certain university hospitals but you need to network for that to work) This means you don't get to choose what unit you go to, you have to work your way up to units like the ER. Most grad school programs want you to have experience in units like the ER, therefore your entire career path depends on you building experience first. It's good to know this upfront because if you ever wanted to head to go for NP, you need the right experience. I know you get conflicting info from people who have AS vs BS degrees but the hiring managers opinion is all that matters. My aunt's best friend is in charge of hiring nursing at a major hospital, she told her that university's with a co-op programs are her preference for new grads, so I guess it can matter to some extent to get you in the door but not more money, sorry.

You have to understand that nursing is a noble profession that focuses on patient care and a strong work ethic, period. You will be with a diverse group of people that come from all walks of life. You must learn to be gracious, humble, kind and learn the etiquette of working in this type if environment. Be careful that you don't come off as insulting, even if you didn't mean to. You have every right to be proud of yourself, don't ever apologize for that but be careful of people feelings. Good luck and shadow a different nurse!