*Long story short: I'm an above average student able to get into a top ranked school for my BSN. Will being a top student at a top university affect me making more than $21 an hour during my first five years, as the nurses I've shadowed have warned me?
I'm a male high school junior about to start applying to colleges. I really want to do nursing, but after lurking on this board for months, I'm worried that I might expect it to be a bit 'better' financially and job-market wise than it actually is. I know that for the average person the posts here apply, but so far I haven't really considered myself an average applicant. For background information, I have a 2100 SAT and will retake it again this Summer, likely for a better score. I have a very high GPA and have worked a part time job for minimum wage since I was a freshman, so I'm definitely not against hard work. Also, I've been enrolled in college (similar to dual enrollment) at a high ranked public university since freshmen year, full time for 2 years now (so I'm essentially a high-school kid in name only). In my college classes I've been with reg. students and professors and have a 3.8 GPA. Essentially, I'm fairly confident that I can get into a top-ranked program such as UNC-Chapel Hill and I'm positive I will be able to handle getting a BSN. Will having all of these things 'going for me' make any impact at all in not starting out making $40,000 a year?
I'm under the impression that if I go to a top 10 school and graduate near the top of my class, I'll be able to get a nice job making a little less than what is reported as an average salary for a nurse, and get a job in a hospital fairly easily. After job-shadowing a nurse at the local hospital (reassuring me that nursing is my career choice), I got told that all of the extra credentials (top of class, great program, relative minority) I'll be lucky to get a sucky hospital job working night shift for a couple years at $20 an hour. Are my expectations high?
Thanks cream and sugar for your wise response. Some nurses get so defensive for no reason and it hurts the profession in general
I agree. People here are so quick to pull out the claws at any perceived sleight. It's no wonder nursing lacks the respect it should have with the unprofessional behavior portrayed by nurses.
I agree. People here are so quick to pull out the claws at any perceived sleight. It's no wonder nursing lacks the respect it should have with the unprofessional behavior portrayed by nurses.
EXACTLY. And it's always the same people who jump on a thread that's asking for advice just to start something.
At the end of the day it's going to come down to the board exams. if there is someone else who is just as qualified as you from a small low profile university for the same job and you get picky with wanting a bigger salary then think again. They aren't going to pay you more, if someone else is willing to do the SAME job and duties for less. Nursing is the highest paying bachelors degree right out of college you won't find another profession where you could make more.
Also if your just wanting to become a nurse for for the money then your in the wrong field.
Lastly, everyone need confidence but why so self-centered?
So...my two cents? All schools of nursing are essentially preparing you to take the same test. For an entry level position, they're looking for a license, not a 4.0 GPA at an excellent school.
I know everyone has a dream job, but the thing about that dream job, especially in an ER or in an ICU...they want some experience in the field. Try not to be too pick right out of school. You may have to work a job you dislike for a little while because that may be who's willing to hire you but the bonus is the EXPERIENCE that your dream job wants. Experience is experience, whether it's med surg, acute rehab or SNF. You have experience in the field after that.
I was a new grad not so long ago, I remember the job hunt. I'm finally getting out of a job that I hate so I can go somewhere I love. It all comes together eventually, you just need to give it some time.
Be patient and take what you can get at first. I was hired at a facility with a base pay of 18.25 per hour and my new position is a base of 21.00 per hour with great shift and weekend differentials. And the bonus is there is room for advancement, which is great for me because I'm currently furthering my education.
I completely understand that you have a target school and a dream job and salary and that's great, don't get me wrong. But that doesn't necessarily matter to an employer. You have to remember that even with the furthest degrees from the best school, you still need to get that on the job experience from somewhere and the real world is completely different than nursing school. School builds a knowledge base, working as a nurse shows you how to apply it and when you first start out it's not easy. I couldn't imagine having tried working in an ER fresh out of school, that's just a scary thought.
I've only read through the first couple pages of replies, and you've gotten some good advice.
One thing I haven't seen addressed yet is your "relative minority." Landing your dream job and getting paid above average (which btw, does depend on where you are) cannot depend on your gender. That would be illegal.
I am working for a union hospital for the first time ever. They figure wages based on two things--type of degree (associate's, baccalaureate, master's etc.) you have and how long you have been working as an RN in hours. I filled out a form where I entered the dates at each employer and my FTE (full time equivalent-- 40 hrs a week is 1.0, 20 hrs a week is 0.5 etc.) My school and grades had nothing to do with them figuring my wages.
In the words of the venerable Esme, there is no nursing shortage. You will likely have to pay your dues right out of nursing school; you will also have to decide for yourself if this is worth it to you. Also, I'll make the friendly suggestion to resist thinking of home care or LTC as something to be "doomed" to. Life in a North Korean labor camp is something to be "doomed" to. You really don't want to tick anyone off.
Finally, if nursing is something you truly want, you should go for it. :)
Thanks cream and sugar for your wise response. Some nurses get so defensive for no reason and it hurts the profession in general
I'm guessing this was meant for me. My question/response was because you apparently have not seen it, you don't realize this has been a fairly common theme among prospective nurses, nursing students. It wasn't a defensive, or "claws" comment (as mentioned by someone else), it's the reaction of someone who has many times seen it remarked that someone was only going to nursing school because they weren't smart enough for medical school (and similar veins).
People here shouldn't be so quick to call other nurses "too defensive" or "unprofessional" (another over-used term, usually inappropriately used). The fact is, over the years there have been SO MANY nurses who have personally experienced the attitude of surprise from people....surprise that they are rather bright, and therefore are wasting their lives in nursing---and should have gone to medical school. It does get tiring after a bit, as you can imagine.
I in no way was suggesting that the OP not examine other choices, but HIS post did NOT suggest anything like what was suggested to him: that his scores were so high, he should not investigate nursing further, but rather should look to medical school. What you (and one or two others here, I see) have interpreted as being overly-defensive, or unprofessional (however that plays into it) is really just someone who has become tired of hearing "you're so smart....why did you settle for nursing"?
Can you see how that might come into play when seeing a post like "your SAT scores are so high, why don't you consider....." when the question was about nursing, not medical school?
Maybe you will see my side, maybe not. Just offering that you don't really know the whole picture, based on that kind of answer (and those of a few others).
think that "why don't u go to medical school " is confined to nursing, you'd be wrong. It happens to PAs all the time too and other talented professionals. But for some reason nurses particularly in academia, take it as an insult. If OP wants nursing, great. It's a noble profession! But he should consider medical school too or PA because he has the grades.
think that "why don't u go to medical school " is confined to nursing, you'd be wrong. It happens to PAs all the time too and other talented professionals. But for some reason nurses particularly in academia, take it as an insult. If OP wants nursing, great. It's a noble profession! But he should consider medical school too or PA because he has the grades.
That's how you take it, so be it. Can't say what offends some and not others, why a PA would not take offense at being considered foolish for his choice and a nurse is. Can't say, either, that I'd agree that anyone who hears the suggestion that they made a foolish choice isn't offended....maybe you're hearing it from nurses because that's where you're most exposed (this is, after all, a nursing forum)....? Who knows. Doesn't matter, really. It's all supposition.
I'm curious about something, though. I'm wondering what in the OP's post would make you think he HASN'T considered those options...? Not looking to get anyone rankled (or any MORE rankled), but I would think that with his grades, AND he's been on this message board for months, AND he's been thinking about career options (as evidenced by his post)....what would make you think he hasn't already considered what would seem to be an obvious path? For many, the weighty burden of expected student loans and more than a decade of schooling is enough of a deterrent, to be sure. It does make nursing a pretty attractive choice for many.
He made no mention of seeking medical or PA school, maybe OP will tell us later. If he had, I wouldn't have suggested it, obviously. If someone says hey you're really smart and should advance and become X, why would u feel foolish? It's supposed to be a compliment, and if a nurse is comfortable with being a nurse, there's no reason to be offended. The nursing profession needs a good dose of self esteem and pride then comments like "why he's too smart for nursing " wouldn't even come up. If u feel foolish in your chosen profession maybe it's time for a change.
He made no mention of seeking medical or PA school, maybe OP will tell us later. If he had, I wouldn't have suggested it, obviously. If someone says hey you're really smart and should advance and become X, why would u feel foolish? It's supposed to be a compliment, and if a nurse is comfortable with being a nurse, there's no reason to be offended. The nursing profession needs a good dose of self esteem and pride then comments like "why he's too smart for nursing " wouldn't even come up. If u feel foolish in your chosen profession maybe it's time for a change.
You didn't understand what I wrote, so I'll just say "never mind" at this point. I do not feel foolish in the least, you misunderstand that as well.
I will give you a tip before I go, however: use of "u" instead of "you" is textspeak, not English, and not appropriate on the AllNurses forums. You are obviously capable of distinguishing 'you' from 'u', so I'll leave it at that.
Specializes in Med-surg Telemetry, Leadership, Education.
Good grades and high SAT/ACT scores are helpful, but not predictive of anything other than passing the academic aspects of nursing school. Not that that's easy, mind you.
Experience and connections will be key to your success. I do suggest you try to work in a clinical setting to make sure this field is right for you. Perhaps, as you put it, a "sucky hospital job." I worked as a CNA for two years while in nursing school - was the best choice I could have made.
Be aware that the "sucky" hospital positions are quite hard to come by, usually have hundreds of applicants (for new grad/internship programs and regular positions alike). Don't expect to just waltz into one, unless you're related to a profit-center surgeon (LOL) or have some other connection.
Lastly, be careful when you cast aspersions on nursing programs that don't meet your standards for prestige. Your boss may have been a graduate of one. Just sayin.
andrew522
20 Posts
Thanks cream and sugar for your wise response. Some nurses get so defensive for no reason and it hurts the profession in general