I am thinking about switching from an Electrical Test Engineer (been doing this for 8+ years) to an RN and possibly later a Nurse Anesthetist. I'm planning to begin pre-reqs in the summer 2008 and then start a 1 year accelerated 2nd career BSN program at Oakland University in Michigan.
I guess one thing is holding me back. It's the starting salary. I really can't find a good, solid, starting salary for my area. And I was wondering if having a 2nd degree as an Engineer (I am not a manager, but I am a project leader, so it is like management) would allow me to possibly get a larger starting salary. Problem for me is I'm already out on my own and I have a house, so I can't afford a major paycut to switch. I make around 57,000 now (pathetic for an engineer with 8 years experience) and was hoping I could not have to lose more than 7-10,000 on a paycut to switch careers.
Is this feasible do you thinK? It's a shame for me. I knew i wasn't going to like Engineering but I thought there was a ton of money and job security in it. What a crock. I always knew I wanted to do something where I was helping people and earning that gratification from my job.
I really apprecaite any advice someone can give. My heart is calling me to do this, but financially I just can't risk that much of a paycut. Thanks for all the advice in advance!
Dave
PS. ALso wondering if having my previous supervising-type experience from engineering would net me a move up into nursing management a bit quicker...would it be taken into consideration at all? Thanks.
Maybe its just me but this post seems really negative. I have heard of ICUs that hire new grads and also of CRNA schools that have admitted applicants with only one year of experience, nothing is really as set in stone as you make it appear.
Also, not only is the money in CRNA great but the work you are doing in sustaining someone's life and health during a surgery is important. With that being said I doubt anyone would expect training for such an important, well-paid position to be a walk in the park....I think more importantly than saying whether something is tough or not is saying whether the effort you put forth is worth it.
I hope you don't think I am coming down too hard on you and I think maybe your post was just to give people a dose of reality in that it takes a lot of effort, work, and drive to make it to something as tough as a CRNA (and not everyone can handle it) but, at the same time, from the experiences of people I have talked to, every bit of effort and energy you put into making it is rewarded by the benefits of the position (both monetary and nonmaterialistic).
No, I wasn't trying to be negative and believe me I took your response with a grain of salt. I'm just trying to give dose of reality. CRNA school is very tough. I know many nurses who went and then dropped out. Yes, the money is great but that shouldn't be the reason why someone steps into such a career. Its not for everybody. Most schools require at least 2 years of ICU experience before admissions. You can look at their admissions requirements if you want but the last time I checked, Wayne State said 2-3 years of experience. I wouldn't recommend a new grad going into the ICU right out of school. People think that since in ICU you get 1-2 patients its very easy and laid back but its not. I think new grads should have a least a year on a stepdown before transfering to an ICU position. Thats what I did and the stuff I learned on stepdown helped me when I got to ICU.
I'm not trying to be mean, but unless you have externed on an ICU then you shouldn't been there. I work on SICU in downtown Detroit and I know my manager will not hire new grads. My orientation was 12 weeks and I had been a nurse for two years and worked on step-down for two years. ICU is not as easy as everyone thinks. Its very labor intensive and you have to keep on top of things because you can fall behind easily when something goes wrong with your patient.
Take your time when you get out of school. My nursing instructors always told me that new grads need to get their feet wet by working Med/Surg or stepdown. One year on those units then move on to ICU.
I'm not trying to be mean, but unless you have externed on an ICU then you shouldn't been there. I work on SICU in downtown Detroit and I know my manager will not hire new grads. My orientation was 12 weeks and I had been a nurse for two years and worked on step-down for two years. ICU is not as easy as everyone thinks. Its very labor intensive and you have to keep on top of things because you can fall behind easily when something goes wrong with your patient.
Take your time when you get out of school. My nursing instructors always told me that new grads need to get their feet wet by working Med/Surg or stepdown. One year on those units then move on to ICU.
I'm glad you got back to me about this point. Do you think all nurses should spend a year in stepdown or Med/Surg before moving onto their interests or would you just reccommend that for those of us who want ICU experience?
The reason I ask is that this is only of those hotly debated topics on here. I'll play devil's advocate for a second and parrot what many people say about Med/Surg being a waste of time and since every unit or area is different you can't really learn about one by working in another - the best way to learn about it is through doing it. What is your opinion about this?
I'm glad you got back to me about this point. Do you think all nurses should spend a year in stepdown or Med/Surg before moving onto their interests or would you just reccommend that for those of us who want ICU experience?
The reason I ask is that this is only of those hotly debated topics on here. I'll play devil's advocate for a second and parrot what many people say about Med/Surg being a waste of time and since every unit or area is different you can't really learn about one by working in another - the best way to learn about it is through doing it. What is your opinion about this?
Firehawk, sorry for hijacking your thread.
I'll shut up and listen now.
I'll jump in and say that I disagree with Kati. Many ICUs in the area do hire new grads and I believe that you can be successful, as long as the orientation is adequate and the work environment is very supportive. One place that I know you could find such opportunities is at University of Michigan. They often hire new grads directly into their ICUs. I would never say that med-surg is a complete waste of time, because any nursing experience is going to be helpful when changing specialities. However, starting out in an area that you don't really enjoy can turn you off to nursing altogether. And why stretch it out any longer if you know what your goals are and where you want to be? A lot of coworkers criticized me for jumping right into the ER after graduating, but I was very successful during my time there. Some older, more experienced nurses have the mindset that younger nurses should pay their dues on the floors just because that is what they did.
Most CRNA schools state that you need at least one year of ICU experience. However, the majority of applicants have more years of experience. That is not to say that it can't be done. I am close friends of two nurses who both spent only a little over one year in the ICU before successfully applying and being accepted to CRNA school and they are now halfway through school. Both of these individuals are very motivated and intelligent. Both were honor students and graduated at the top of their class. So it can be done.
I know a few of my classmates were hired onto ICU's right out of school. Some of them do plan to get into CRNA school. I chose the traditional 'medsurg first' route because I have a well-honed masochistic streak:specs: Besides, most of the time I like it.
But to get to the OP's concern about starting salary, I think within 12 months of graduation you may not be making 57,000/year, but it won't be '7,000-10,000' less than what you made as an engineer.
Yeah, its true that some ICUs do hire grads right out of school. I'm wondering where though. I work in SICU at Henry ford and I know that unless they've been an extern on our unit, our manager will not hire them. To each his own. I know that CRNA school is not for me. Its not something I'm interested in anyways. I'm thinking about transfering from OU to Wayne state, maybe RN-MSN with specialty in Acute Care NP. Good luck with whatever you all decide to do. I'm not arguing with anyone, just stating my view points.
No problem on the hijacking. I'm learning. Katie is FIERY. WOOHOO! lol
Anyways, I have an appointment to shadow a nurse in ICU on Thursday. I will report here with what my experience was. Big thanks to the people in Chelsea for the opportunity.
No, I wasn't trying to be negative and believe me I took your response with a grain of salt. I'm just trying to give dose of reality. CRNA school is very tough. I know many nurses who went and then dropped out. Yes, the money is great but that shouldn't be the reason why someone steps into such a career. Its not for everybody. Most schools require at least 2 years of ICU experience before admissions. You can look at their admissions requirements if you want but the last time I checked, Wayne State said 2-3 years of experience. I wouldn't recommend a new grad going into the ICU right out of school. People think that since in ICU you get 1-2 patients its very easy and laid back but its not. I think new grads should have a least a year on a stepdown before transfering to an ICU position. Thats what I did and the stuff I learned on stepdown helped me when I got to ICU.
Just because it was not right for you, doesn't mean its not right for me.
I'm not trying to be mean, but unless you have externed on an ICU then you shouldn't been there. I work on SICU in downtown Detroit and I know my manager will not hire new grads. My orientation was 12 weeks and I had been a nurse for two years and worked on step-down for two years. ICU is not as easy as everyone thinks. Its very labor intensive and you have to keep on top of things because you can fall behind easily when something goes wrong with your patient.
Take your time when you get out of school. My nursing instructors always told me that new grads need to get their feet wet by working Med/Surg or stepdown. One year on those units then move on to ICU.
I disagree.
I'll jump in and say that I disagree with Kati. Many ICUs in the area do hire new grads and I believe that you can be successful, as long as the orientation is adequate and the work environment is very supportive. One place that I know you could find such opportunities is at University of Michigan. They often hire new grads directly into their ICUs. I would never say that med-surg is a complete waste of time, because any nursing experience is going to be helpful when changing specialities. However, starting out in an area that you don't really enjoy can turn you off to nursing altogether. And why stretch it out any longer if you know what your goals are and where you want to be? A lot of coworkers criticized me for jumping right into the ER after graduating, but I was very successful during my time there. Some older, more experienced nurses have the mindset that younger nurses should pay their dues on the floors just because that is what they did.
Most CRNA schools state that you need at least one year of ICU experience. However, the majority of applicants have more years of experience. That is not to say that it can't be done. I am close friends of two nurses who both spent only a little over one year in the ICU before successfully applying and being accepted to CRNA school and they are now halfway through school. Both of these individuals are very motivated and intelligent. Both were honor students and graduated at the top of their class. So it can be done.
Spot on.
To the OP, I was in construction before I switched to nursing. It was a shock. But with a drive to succeed it can be done. Have confidence in yourself and keep moving forward. Best thing I did when I decided to switch careers was get a part time job on a med/surg unit. I learned the ropes there and it lead to me getting my dream job on a Level I Trauma SICU..... AS A NEW GRAD!!!
To answer your questions about salary. I just graduated in December, and am making about $24/hr, with an extra $2.50/hr on midnights, and $2/hr on the weekend. Also, with the critical RN shortage, plenty of over time available when ever you want it. There is also talk of premium pay coming for over time(double time).
Send me a PM if you have any questions. I would be happy to help you if I could.
Did you get on the med/surg unit before getting your RN (by volunteering or something)? At what point in relation to becoming a new grad did you learn the ropes in a med/surg unit?
PS. If any of you work in the Univ of Michigan Cardiovascular center, you may be seeing me real soon. I have an Ablation scheduled for Monday 2/25, at 7am with Dr. Oral. If someone that works there reads this board, come say hi to me in Recovery :).
Did you get on the med/surg unit before getting your RN (by volunteering or something)? At what point in relation to becoming a new grad did you learn the ropes in a med/surg unit?
PS. If any of you work in the Univ of Michigan Cardiovascular center, you may be seeing me real soon. I have an Ablation scheduled for Monday 2/25, at 7am with Dr. Oral. If someone that works there reads this board, come say hi to me in Recovery :).
Sorry I was a little vague on the whole thing because my post was already way to long..
To answer your question: When I decided to go to nursing school I applied at a local hospital as an aide immediately. It wasn't until about a year later that I actually started my first day of nursing school. I worked there for two years and it was a great experience. I had 12-18 patients a day and was responsible for vitals, baths, post op care, foley insertions, and all blood draws. I was worked to the bone every shift but I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I gained most of my bedside manor and skill set from that job. When nurses trust you and know you want to learn they love to teach.
After some time in nursing school I got a job as a Nurse Tech in a pool resource team. Then just before I graduated I got the current job I have now, which is a critical care internship that is about 120 hours of classroom time and 3 months of on unit orientation time.
I passed the boards last week and I am going to pick up my RN badge tomorrow! At the end of the day, you know your comfort level and our ability to learn. Don't let anyone hold you back and go get'em.
RN1982
3,362 Posts
No, I wasn't trying to be negative and believe me I took your response with a grain of salt. I'm just trying to give dose of reality. CRNA school is very tough. I know many nurses who went and then dropped out. Yes, the money is great but that shouldn't be the reason why someone steps into such a career. Its not for everybody. Most schools require at least 2 years of ICU experience before admissions. You can look at their admissions requirements if you want but the last time I checked, Wayne State said 2-3 years of experience. I wouldn't recommend a new grad going into the ICU right out of school. People think that since in ICU you get 1-2 patients its very easy and laid back but its not. I think new grads should have a least a year on a stepdown before transfering to an ICU position. Thats what I did and the stuff I learned on stepdown helped me when I got to ICU.