RN program

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · Nov 24, 2011

Nursing has more opportunities for advancement, education, and different *types* of employment, however the market sucks for most people.

I am a New Grad Nurse, yay me. I graduated in August, and just now have a LTC position. I put in 33 applications within an hour radius.

The Nursing market is flooded, however, if you WANT to be a Nurse deep down inside, then become a nurse. I have wanted to become a Nurse since I was a child, so it is ingrained within my being.

Christy1019, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I recommend posting your questions in the NY nurses forum, the pre-nursing school, nursing student and graduate nurse forums for diff. perspectives, and the career advice forum.

Also, i'm going to voice my opinion about the last part of your post... please PLEASE please think long and hard about what you really want to do for the rest of your working career dont just base it on job opportunities and or how much money you will make, because nursing and radiology tech are two completely different professions and god knows we already have enough nurses in the field who became nurses for the reasons i said, not because they wanted a career being a patient advocate, or be the one who cares for those who are sick whether it means cleaning the patient who is incontinent of stool, or the severely demented patient who you must tell her every day that the husband she thinks is waiting for her has been dead for 20yrs because she has no memory of it anymore, or watch a patient die unexpectedly and be there to hold the family's hand while they grieve. No, the ppl in my profession who had no desire to really be a nurse... their the one who ignores call lights, assumes every.patient is a drug seeker, and leaves their patients feeling scared b/c noones told them if their okay or in pain. So again, please really take

time and decide what is right for you.

If you do choose nursing, i can tell you honestly, what school you go to and where its located doesnt matter to most facilities, and most of the time it doesnt matter if its an associates or bachelors degree b/c either way we ALL take the exact same nursing boards exam.

loriangel14, RN · Nov 24, 2011

The priority would be for if you get accepted to the nursing program or not.

You really shouldn't be asking us if you should be a rad tech or a nurse. If you are really meant to be a nurse you will look inside yourself and find the answer.You can't pick a career based on money and job stability.I too have worked with too many people that really shouldn't be nurses.If you are doing it for the money and not because you REALLY want to be a nurse then don't.

georgescifo · Nov 25, 2011

I also prefer you go with nursing, as nurses are on a high demand these days. Most of the countries are facing shortages of quality nurses..

birdinflight · Nov 27, 2011

First, I'm trying to decide between Rad Tech and Nursing (I have to decide soon) and I think nursing might be a better option just because it seems like there are more job opportunities. Is that accurate?
On my guideline sheet, it says that students are given priority status based on GPA and PAX score. What is the priority for? Is it to determine which students get the better clinical assignments?
And last, will I be able to compete for jobs with a degree from Bronx Community College? The courses here have been challenging so far, but I don't know what the reputation of the school is. I'm nervous that I'd be competing for jobs with graduates from better schools. In other words, how is a degree from Bronx Community College looked at?
Thanks so much for your help.

I wouldn't recommend choosing nursing simply for job opportunities. The schooling and the jobs are too emotionally and mentally challenging to simply say "well, at least I'll always have a job." You can say that in several different fields. A computer technician will always have a job, for example, and with a lot less emotional/mental/time investment.

Tip: Try to list at least 7 reasons why you want to be a Rad Tech or an RN. If the reasons are predominately money or security related, rethink it. That's my opinion, anyway.

As for the priority status... the status is for getting into the program. The better your GPA and PAX (is this like an entrance exam score??) scores are the better your chances of being accepted into the program.

As for the community college you are going to... yes, there are more prestigious nursing schools out there. But, as long as it's accredited you should be alright. But, look into that further... get some comparisons within your area. Maybe call up some potential future employers and ask their opinions.

Take care!

Fruit Sucker · Nov 27, 2011

Thanks guys. I guess I wasn't clear in my post. My mom and sister both work in the emergency department (Mom is a doctor, sister's an RN) and I grew up around hospitals and medical professionals. My mom has been telling me since I was very small that I would be a great nurse, but of course I picked something else as a career and was not happy with it. Now I'm 35, and I've decided to switch careers.

It's not that I'm unsure of whether I want to work in a hospital- I'm very sure of that. I'm just terrified of not being able to find work after I finish school. I guess if I can't find work at a NYC hospital (I've heard so far that it's really hard to) I could always relocate.