Wondering a few things

Welcome to AN!

moved for best response.

So I'll be out of high school pretty soon (about a year and a half to go) and I want to know a few things. I've been researching diligently, and I've narrowed down that I want to be either a Travel Nurse, or be in trauma and ER. All of this will be done when I'm an RN. But there were so many types it seemed overwhelming. I realize that pay grade differs from state to state, hospital to hospital but I would like to know an average if you can get one.

Another thing I was wondering is what do you see on an average workday with the ones I just listed? I'm not squeamish so I can handle a little blood and gore. But I would like to know what you see from day to day.

The last thing I was wondering what kind of schooling one has to go through to become an RN? I'm pretty smart so I think I can handle anything with the right tutoring for math of course!

Also... I could use a friend to... :)

In this job market, which is very tight, and in today's world....the economy has effected even the nursing profession. Regardless of what you have been told....THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE! m Although there remaining nursing programs that are a 2 year degree/ADN(associate degree) and ASN (associate of science degree).....many hospitals are hiring only BSN prepared nurses.

There are estimates in certain parts of the country the unemployment/under-employment of nursing grads is as high as 47% (like in California). The average job hunt before finding a position ( not necessarily the position they desire) is 15-18 months AFTER graduation.

You will have to finish an accredited nursing program and they apply to sit for the state licensing exam called the NCLEX. Your area of specialty will be determined AFTER graduation. Many specialty areas require AT LEAST one year experience so you can get the basic skills under your belt before you enter into high acuity areas. Some facilities will hire new grads in the ED but they are few and far between. It is extremely difficult to work in an acute/critical area when you are learning the basics. It's like driving, and winning, the Indy 500 with learners your permit......odds are you WILL crash......odds are you will NOT win.....odds are you will kill yourself and someone else in the process.

Travel nursing in never recommended until you have AT LEAST 2 years experience mastered. You are given assignments with the expectation you will be independent they will not orient you nor help you. The expectation of travel nurses, because the are very expensive to hire, is that you walk in and take over.....no help. Until you have a couple of years under your belt.....you will not be able to do that safely. Critical care positions like ICU/CCU/ cardiac surgery post operative can be in demand for travelers but will also require 2-3 year experience before you are qualified to care for this critical population on a travel basis.

In an Emergency department...you average day will vary greatly depending on your surrounding population and whether you are in a trauma center...but really in any ED you will see everything from a stubbed toe, a sore throat, a heart attack to massive trauma, open fractures...from the tragic to the ridiculous. It's NOT TV.

Om the average....a new starting RN will see salaries starting around $19.00/hr to as high as $24.00....there are area of the country that will pay new grads upward to $28.00/hr but those are areas like California where the cost is Living is outrageous and unemployment is high. The math is nothing but algebra....finding X.

Remember...nursing is 24/7 365 days a year. You will work holidays and weekends. You will have to work when your friends don't. Nursing school is unlike any other profession/education. You will have to study more, learn more, spend more time on your subjects than your friends. You will be learning how to save someones life in a relatively short period of time. You will not be "allowed " to make mistakes....mistakes can cost people their lives. There will be little to no tolerance for mistakes

There area I hated the most in school is the area I ended up working in for 34 years.... don't limit your options early on in your career. You will have to rotate through all nursing specialties...some you will love...others you will hate. You will see humanity at it best...and at it's worst. You will perform bodily functions and personal hygiene for complete strangers.

It will be the most challenging thing you have ever done....but also the most rewarding.

I wish you the best....I'll be your friend.