I'm a career changer and was wondering if this was true - can RN's work 3-4 days/wk and make a good salary? All I need is about 50K and I'm golden! I have a degree in Biology and I'm considering, like a lot of people, RN/NP (Yes, I know there's a difference) vs PA vs MD. If I become a nurse, I'll do a direct entry, masters program and maybe make my way to being a NP. Eh...not sure.
So, basically, are these works hours reasonable? I'm all about having a flexible job that'll allow me to partake in my lovely hobbies. I'm hoping you guys can help me with this...
Also, how hard would it be for a new grad to get a job at a children's hospital? I've have helathcare experience and I know, for sure, that I ONLY want pediatric patients. Working in an adult hospital isn't an option.
I don't find most pts whiney. I find some whiney. But then again, I have real experiences to base that on.
But, I'm a nurse for different reasons other than to avoid whiney people. Whiney people exist everywhere. I didn't choose my profession based on those kinds of reasons.
There are a couple of things that I think are limiting from your posts. Wanting days is understandable but it's much more likely you'll start on nights. Peds jobs are limited at least in the Northeast where I'm located. I was lucky to graduate during a real shortage so that wasn't an issue for me. Have you worked with a pediatric population before? I've worked trauma as well and I have to say peds is as difficult because you have the patient and the family to take care of. My typical assignment can be anywhere from 6-8 patients with 1-2 oncology kids that need chemo, blood etc. Add in the respiratory kids, postops, PICU overflow patients, diabetics, psych holds and that's a typical day. I'm not discouraging anyone because I love my job and the past 4 years of doing it have flown by. I can't imagine doing anything else. Yes, I made quite a bit more than 50 last year but my hospital pays for certification and I pick up probably 2 days a month of overtime. Please consider volunteering or shadowing a nurse before making an investment in your education. An RN vs an MD is a totally different question and maybe shadowing or talking with more people would help. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Thank you for all of the responses! Well, it sounds like working in a Peds hospital will be doable, as long as I structure my training around it...which I'd do b/c I know that's where I want to work. Thing is, I'd be working in Southern California; San Diego. Do you think that's a tough market? A few of you guys said Peds is a specialty that a lot of people want to work in...not according to the hiring mang at the SD hosp I talked to. She said, "...Peds is always hard to fill b/c not a lot of people want to work around kids all day." I'm assuming you guys disagree with that statement?
Also, I've heard a lot about new grads not being able to find jobs. I don't want to change careers, work my butt off in school and not be able to find a job. I know I'd improve my job opportunities by moving but I don't want leave San Diego. Clearly, who would? So, moving is not an option...
So, am I drastically limiting my options when I said I only want to work in San Diego and for a childen's hospital? I'm thinking no...as long as I work at a children's hospital during school, volunteer and do anything I can think of that would boost my resume. Agree or disagree?
Oh! And someone else mentioned that people are pretty much lining up to work the night shift b/c it pays more? I thought people were lining up to work the day shift? I'd only work the night shift if they made me. With that said, do you think it's unrealistic to go into nursing only wanting to work the day shift? I don't care how much money I can make working nights; I'm not interested.
*Yes, I know I have a lot of stipulations :chuckle
You will sing a different tune come 2 years from now if the job market is anything like it is now for new grads.
I've worked in healthcare before (not nursing) and I just prefer pediatric patients. Adult patients seem to whine and complain while kids, they may whine and complain but it's acceptable, in my eyes, because they are children. Adults who aren't compliant and whine, complain, etc. are hard for me to deal with. I just don't understand it. So, therefore, I prefer to work with kids. I just have a natural connection with kids; always have.
About doing adult nursing in clinicals, yeah, I thought about that. I guess I'm still deciding. If nursing ends up something I REALLY want to do then yes, I will put up with it and keep my eye on the prize. As of now, I"m still deciding so who knows.
If you think Adult patients whine and complain, just wait until you have to deal with the adult parents of some of your peds patients who may be deathly ill. And they will do more than whine and complain.
Not trying to bust your bubble, but you seem to have alot of stimpulations and high expectations of nursing. Just wait until you get through your pre-reqs, sit on a waiting list for 2 years to get in nursing school, finally get in, get through theory and CLINICALS (which include Adult Health I and II), go through all the hoops, take all the tests, finally graduate, spend every day for a month studying for NCLEX, and then try to land a RN job only to be told "sorry we are not hiring new grads for the next 6 months" and see how you feel then.
And depending on what nursing school you attend, some don't even have a peds rotation.
The pay is decent. I think most of us question whether or not our health is worth it.
Floor nursing was not something I ever liked. Too many patients. Although, I did spend some time in a pediatric rehab facility, which was nice. ICU is do-able for me for now. I would also consider OR, maybe recovery room and maternity.
P.S., just wanted to add that most of the nurses I work with, who have about 4 years experience, make well over $100,000 per year.
Are they Per-Diem? Night shift? And with how much overtime and extra certifications? I'm sure some of my colleagues make that, by working 6 days a week. And the ones who have been there for 30 years...
The Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and Disney Children's hospital here in Orlando hire new grads. I have friends who just got hired in both facilites, after graduating last month. In fact, I just looked at the job board for Disney Children's hospital and they have new graduate positions in pediatrics and NICU posted now.
As for the pay, you could make $50K starting pay, working three 12-hour shifts per week... depending on what part of the country you are in. Here in Orlando, you'd make closer to $40K starting out. If you can get a night shift (which often has waiting lists because the shift differential is so good), then you'd be making over $50K to start even here in Florida.
Hey Swirly
Im here in orlando as well.
What hospital do you work at?
I work as a paramedic on the west side of orange county, i start nursing school in 2 weeks.
dont forget they are building a new pediatric hospital to be finished in 2012
I work in the pediatric subhospital of a larger system and my first year of nursing I made about 50K without ANY OT or picking up extra shifts..working 3 days a week. Yup, it's hard some nights (oh, yeah..got that night differential so that helps) but overall I love it.
If you think Adult patients whine and complain, just wait until you have to deal with the adult parents of some of your peds patients who may be deathly ill. And they will do more than whine and complain.
Not trying to bust your bubble, but you seem to have alot of stimpulations and high expectations of nursing. Just wait until you get through your pre-reqs, sit on a waiting list for 2 years to get in nursing school, finally get in, get through theory and CLINICALS (which include Adult Health I and II), go through all the hoops, take all the tests, finally graduate, spend every day for a month studying for NCLEX, and then try to land a RN job only to be told "sorry we are not hiring new grads for the next 6 months" and see how you feel then.
And depending on what nursing school you attend, some don't even have a peds rotation.
But you need to really see this for yourself.
AMEN, preach it sister! That is pretty much what happened to me. Jumped through the hoops and graduated only to find NO JOBS.
I think you have a lot of stipulations and high expectations for nursing but I guess if you stick to your guns you can find a way to work in a peds hospital on day shift making 50K a year starting out. I don't know how, but anything is possible right?
BTW, I make that now working two days a week as a weekender and moved to this position as an RN with 1 year experience. Its still not enough money to do the job some days but more often than not I like my job, so I consider myself VERY fortunate, especially hearing what some nurses on here go through.
More than likely if you become an NP you will be working 9-5 5 days a week. At least most of the NPs in my area work in offices and sometimes make rounds and the nursing homes. There really are not any midlevels at the hospitals unless they are visiting a patient of theirs that is their for surgery (well not visiting but making rounds) but still maintain hospital hours. there are the exceptions of midwives but in my area they keep office hours as well as come into the hospital when a woman is in labor; they probably keep the worst hours. Yes you can work 3 days a week and make good money because you are working 12 hr shifts which really turn out to be 13 after shift report and Narc counts.
I have a degree in Biology and I'm considering, like a lot of people, RN/NP (Yes, I know there's a difference) vs PA vs MD. If I become a nurse, I'll do a direct entry, masters program and maybe make my way to being a NP. Eh...not sure. 
I know I'd improve my job opportunities by moving but I don't want leave San Diego. Clearly, who would? 
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cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN
4,106 Posts
I don't find most pts whiney. I find some whiney. But then again, I have real experiences to base that on.
But, I'm a nurse for different reasons other than to avoid whiney people. Whiney people exist everywhere. I didn't choose my profession based on those kinds of reasons.