Working?

ebeehm · Nov 13, 2009

If you love nursing (and picking up extra shifts, and weekends, and maybe homecare assignments, and teaching, and training assignments...etc ) then you won't feel like you are "working" and your income will reflect it!

Reminisce · Nov 13, 2009

If you love nursing (and picking up extra shifts, and weekends, and maybe homecare assignments, and teaching, and training assignments...etc ) then you won't feel like you are "working" and your income will reflect it!

Rofl, well the picking up extra shifts and weekends sounds great, :)

beachgirl17 · Nov 13, 2009

Reminisce, it says that you are 17. If that is true, then I think it is great that you are thinking about what you want in your future. Nursing is a very difficult, but rewarding profession. When you are in nursing school, you will hopefully find your niche. If I were your age again, I would probably strive to be a CRNA or NP. In my opinion, CRNAs and NPs have a lot more autonomy and are also make more money. Having said that, usually if you are in a position where you make increased money, such as CRNA, then you usually have increased responsibilities.

Like other posters have said, if you want to be a staff nurse in a hospital, you either need to live in a larger city (that is where the wages are higher) or you have to work lots of shifts. There are upsides and downsides to all of it, but at your age you have a lot of time to plan ahead for what is best for you. Good luck!

Reminisce · Nov 13, 2009

Reminisce, it says that you are 17. If that is true, then I think it is great that you are thinking about what you want in your future. Nursing is a very difficult, but rewarding profession. When you are in nursing school, you will hopefully find your niche. If I were your age again, I would probably strive to be a CRNA or NP. In my opinion, CRNAs and NPs have a lot more autonomy and are also make more money. Having said that, usually if you are in a position where you make increased money, such as CRNA, then you usually have increased responsibilities.
Like other posters have said, if you want to be a staff nurse in a hospital, you either need to live in a larger city (that is where the wages are higher) or you have to work lots of shifts. There are upsides and downsides to all of it, but at your age you have a lot of time to plan ahead for what is best for you. Good luck!

Hey beachgirl17, Thank you very much for your advice and suport, I have looked into CRNA a few times but it seems like alot of school, I been thinking about just geting a ASN and going into the field, I am not a huge fan of school but maybe it is something I should look into more, CRNA takes 3 years after a bsn right? BSN takes 4? not really sure if i would be able to get into the program :)

beachgirl17 · Nov 13, 2009

Reminisce, usually a BSN takes 4 years to complete. You may find an accelerated BSN program, which you enter after finishing prerequisites. It may shorter the length of overall time, but not by much.

An ASN or ADN program, is typically 2 years in length. But, you would need take prerequisities before you enter one of those programs as well. Still, you are looking at around 3 years, I think.

To be a CRNA, I believe you would need a BSN, then a few years experience as a ICU or ER nurse to be considered entry into a CRNA program. The program is around 2 years time, I think. So you are looking at 4 years BSN, 2 years working, 2 years CRNA. 8 years...seems like a long time, but not in the span of a lifetime. You could have a very fulfilling, high-paying career by 25 years old, if you started now.

To be a NP, you need a MSN at least and you are looking at BSN (4 years), plus at least 1-3 years to finish the masters degree.

If you are not a big fan of school, then you need to take a honest look at why. Do you not like to sit in a classroom all day or do you have learning difficulties? It school bores you, then you have to keep yourself motivated because nursing programs can be frustrating. It you have learning difficulties, then get yourself a tutor.

I would focus on starting prerequisites, like English, Algebra, etc. and then start researching nursing schools. Basic prereqs would be needed for any degree, not just nursing, in case you have a change of heart, those classes would not be wasted.

MERRYWIDOW46 · Nov 14, 2009

HI, I have been and RN 33 and a half years. Started nursing school just after HS. Went to a Diploma RN school, 33 months with lots of clinical experience that I would trade for nothing in this world. However, they have been phased out, some do still exist. I went back to school with a family, FT job for my Bachelor's and Master's. Was a LONG, LONG, 10 year ride and many sacrifices.

TODAY? I'd choose the BSN route over ASN as both take about the same amount of time. However, if you do ASN then you will need to go back for BSN while working and that can take 1-3 years to complete. To teach, or go into management you will need a MSN which is another 2-4 years depending if FT or PT.

CRNA or NP are excellant career choices. BOTH less stressful than hospital nursing and more autonomy. However, BOTH require MSN.

I have been an RN 33 and a half years, first annual salary was $10,300/$4.95 an hour. Today, accepted position with annual salary $80, 514.72/ $43.01 an hour. It has been a LONG road to get here. Done MANY things including working in administration and FT agency and this is the most I've ever made in my career. Good luck to you. Nursing is a wonderful career, allows flexibility, many learning opportunities, and many areas to work in. Specialize or be a generalist. There is definitely HARD work, both Mentally and Physically demanding. However, I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. However, you DO NEED a work/life balance. Down and ME time is essential. I am sure you will make the right decision for you. Good Luck.

Reminisce · Nov 14, 2009

Reminisce, usually a BSN takes 4 years to complete. You may find an accelerated BSN program, which you enter after finishing prerequisites. It may shorter the length of overall time, but not by much.
An ASN or ADN program, is typically 2 years in length. But, you would need take prerequisities before you enter one of those programs as well. Still, you are looking at around 3 years, I think.
To be a CRNA, I believe you would need a BSN, then a few years experience as a ICU or ER nurse to be considered entry into a CRNA program. The program is around 2 years time, I think. So you are looking at 4 years BSN, 2 years working, 2 years CRNA. 8 years...seems like a long time, but not in the span of a lifetime. You could have a very fulfilling, high-paying career by 25 years old, if you started now.
To be a NP, you need a MSN at least and you are looking at BSN (4 years), plus at least 1-3 years to finish the masters degree.
If you are not a big fan of school, then you need to take a honest look at why. Do you not like to sit in a classroom all day or do you have learning difficulties? It school bores you, then you have to keep yourself motivated because nursing programs can be frustrating. It you have learning difficulties, then get yourself a tutor.
I would focus on starting prerequisites, like English, Algebra, etc. and then start researching nursing schools. Basic prereqs would be needed for any degree, not just nursing, in case you have a change of heart, those classes would not be wasted.

Would it be best to do my asn at a community college, then take a asn - bsn course online, while working in a hospital? and from there taking the crna course? That way I could have the experience needed in a hospital for a crna course right when I get my bsn? (I thought to be a crna you needed a masters degree)

Reminisce · Nov 14, 2009

HI, I have been and RN 33 and a half years. Started nursing school just after HS. Went to a Diploma RN school, 33 months with lots of clinical experience that I would trade for nothing in this world. However, they have been phased out, some do still exist. I went back to school with a family, FT job for my Bachelor's and Master's. Was a LONG, LONG, 10 year ride and many sacrifices.
TODAY? I'd choose the BSN route over ASN as both take about the same amount of time. However, if you do ASN then you will need to go back for BSN while working and that can take 1-3 years to complete. To teach, or go into management you will need a MSN which is another 2-4 years depending if FT or PT.
CRNA or NP are excellant career choices. BOTH less stressful than hospital nursing and more autonomy. However, BOTH require MSN.
I have been an RN 33 and a half years, first annual salary was $10,300/$4.95 an hour. Today, accepted position with annual salary $80, 514.72/ $43.01 an hour. It has been a LONG road to get here. Done MANY things including working in administration and FT agency and this is the most I've ever made in my career. Good luck to you. Nursing is a wonderful career, allows flexibility, many learning opportunities, and many areas to work in. Specialize or be a generalist. There is definitely HARD work, both Mentally and Physically demanding. However, I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. However, you DO NEED a work/life balance. Down and ME time is essential. I am sure you will make the right decision for you. Good Luck.

Hey MERRYWIDOW46, Thank you very much for the advice, I know I still need to do pre req's before entering a nursing program but I kinda worrie I wont be accepted into a BSN program, I dropped out of high school a while ago and going to go for my .g.e.d. In febuary, from there I will be going to community college for the stuff I need, I think I would be more likly accepted into a ASN program then a BSN program but if i was accepted into a BSN program I would go for it :)

Blackheartednurse · Nov 14, 2009

most new grads start out at 50,000 and that is before taxes...