*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?
I don't think any of the posts were "unprofessional" or showing "claws." OP was not shy about why he deserves more money & better jobs, and posters were not shy about why he's not necessarily going to get it. It's fair game to me.
@OP, nursing is tough but it is not incredibly intellectual. It requires things beyond academics if you are to become a great nurse. That's why superior academics won't really make you worth more because it just isn't what matters most.
But I think if you get a degree from a top BSN program you should be able to get a job at a good hospital as a new grad. The pay won't be higher and you might have to work nights, but at least you'll get good experience when compared to most ADN students.
The important thing is that u, I mean you, understood my post. Don't be so quick to criticize, Lewis asked for advice, so we're all making suggestions. Your comment "why he's too smart for nursing " was nasty and not helpful.
The important thing is that u, I mean you, understood my post. Don't be so quick to criticize, Lewis asked for advice, so we're all making suggestions. Your comment "why he's too smart for nursing " was nasty and not helpful.
You're entitled to your own opinion. I happen to disagree with your characterization.
OP I would highly recommend watching a YouTube channel by empowern. She is am excellent resource and works as a staff nurse. She knows how several facilities are, not just one so she has a lot of insight.
umbdude, MSN, APRN
1,228 Posts
I don't think any of the posts were "unprofessional" or showing "claws." OP was not shy about why he deserves more money & better jobs, and posters were not shy about why he's not necessarily going to get it. It's fair game to me.
@OP, nursing is tough but it is not incredibly intellectual. It requires things beyond academics if you are to become a great nurse. That's why superior academics won't really make you worth more because it just isn't what matters most.
But I think if you get a degree from a top BSN program you should be able to get a job at a good hospital as a new grad. The pay won't be higher and you might have to work nights, but at least you'll get good experience when compared to most ADN students.