San Diego job outlook (determines Assoc vs Bach RN degree)

zeto · Jun 8, 2011

I think right now most people are going to apply to asn and bsn programs and go to the one they get into. The competition is fierce, so most cant be too picky. My original idea was to go to the local cc for my asn and go back to school for my bsn to save money but I was accepted into a bsn program so plans have changed.

The pay in hospitals is not all that different. I have heard it can be easier to find a job with a bsn, but since I have not even started nursing school yet, and have not had to look for a job as one, I dont know for sure. I dont think the hourly wages variey more than a few dollars between the two degrees in most cases.

I cant help you with the rest since I am not a nurse yet, but it sounds like alot of what you want to know depends on the place you work.

good luck in what ever you choose, it is quite a ride but well worth it.

BTW, at national it is more like $50k for the program

luv_o_so_much · Jun 19, 2011

Zeto answered much but I can add to it. I have worked in and out of hospitals for the last 15 years. That experience included working in supportive roles on floors and administration. I also worked as a nurse recruiter in Southern Cali - a tough market. I also have had my fair share of corporate time including sales and management..... my heart always turns back to nursing so now my education is too! :)

My dream is to work in L&D. How competitive is it to get into? Post partum is easier to get into, but facilities have a hard time finding L&D nurses. Most of the RNs I placed in SD/Orange/ Riverside counties were for short term. When babies are not being born... there are NO shifts, therefore you are flexed/cancelled off. Being part time you may accure some paid time off to off set this. Become profiencent in more than one area if your dream is to be in L&D. That is my own personal adivice, and advice I recieved from my nurses.

I would need to work part-time... does that break down into 2 - 12 hr shifts a week?

Depending on the facility. Generally yes. There are some facilites (hospitals) that have 8 hr shifts. Very few. If you do not need to be benefited, then after you get your experience you may want to consider per diem. The schedules are usually much more flexible.

How much do nurses have control over how much vacation time they're able to take?

This is another site and unit specific item. I have worked in several units and have done staffing. Most managers allow staff to self schedule but have limits on how many vacation days can be taken each schedule period. I also have worked where schedules are done 3 to 4 months in advance to allow vacation planning. Other units have the new planning schedule available 1 week before it begins.

Is there a difference in pay scale when working days/nights/weekend? A friend said she has a friend who gets paid triple time for weekends?

What I have found is that each union contract has dictated what each hospital will compensate for shift differentials - if they have them. I have never heard of an RN being paid triple time for a regular scheduled shift - I can't believe any facility would be so financially unwise - but it could happen. What does happen is when a facility is understaffed for a shift for a particular type of nurse .... say a unit needs 10 ICU RNs to cover patient care for 20 patients and there are only 8 scheduled for the next shift, then one RN calls in sick. That means they are down 3 RNs just to take care of the patients currently there and none for any new codes or admits from ER. Facilities will then offer an incentive (in the form of some type of overtime). Facilities that have "good staffing" generally don't need to do this. I for one would not want to work at a hospital that constantly had staffing crises such as this because of the financial and staffing related problems that would insue from paying so much overtime. To each his or her own! Another method some hospitals use is called bid shift. You can state what you are willing to work for what pay for a specific shift. Again... that doesn't that is what you get... just an option in the line of options staffing has to pull resources from. I can't tell you how angry it would make me to have selfish nurses say "I will only work for double time" or "why don't you find me a double time shift then I will work". Really??? The truth is there are MANY very qualified RNs that are already in the ranks and love their unit to pick up extra shifts. And why shouldn't they? Its overtime for them at home base.

Haha! Sorry! Bad memories of nurses in it for the money. :) Many of which should not have been nurses in the first place. My responses are not the only scenarios. I have worked on staff at 5 different hospitals in 3 different states, so that is what I am basing it on. My own experience.

Good luck! I hope others post what they have experienced so we can get an even bigger picture! :heartbeat:clown:

KMLSanDiego · Jun 20, 2011

Thank you, LOSM. Since I posted that (less than 2 weeks ago) I've learned so much, and am laughing at how basic my questions were. :) Thanks for taking your time to enlighten me.