I'm not sure if this is the right topic for TC, but you ladies seem to have a lot of informaiton about a lot of different things so I thought I'd give it a try. My daughter is in the middle of her sophomore year at a 4 year liberal arts college. She's decided she wants to become a nurse, which I thoroughly support, but of course her school doesn't have a nursing program. I've just started looking into other 4 year colleges that offer a BS in nursing, but most of them have a 4 year sequence for the program. In other words, she would have to go to school for an additional 4 years to become a nurse and therefore would be in college for a total of 6 years. (It's too late to apply anywhere for the spring '09 semester so she'd have to wait until the fall.) The other option seems to be a 2 year RN program at a community college. Then after that she could start working as a nurse and then go back to another college to pursue her BS. Does anyone have an opinion on which option would be best? Is there a big difference in starting salaries for RNs as opposed to RNs with a BS? Any thoughts on this would really be appreciated!

I havent been to nursing school for years!
If it was me, I would do the 2 years RN at community college , get a job and most hospitals will help you to go back to school to furthur your education. the price of schools are NOT going to get cheaper.

I do not know the salarys for either position. I worked Hospice for years and got out of the hospital setting. Good luck!


Maybe have her talk to some counselors?

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

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If she can pass the state boards for RN, then she should be able to make $15 (low end)/hr up to....well, the sky's the limt. Nurses are in extreme demand in most markets/areas. And if she doesn't live in a market w/ a high demand, then she can be a traveling nurse. Travelings get paid very well, are usually compensated for boarding and paid a per diem.

My best friend is "just" a regular RN, no BS. She attended a community college---she makes, I believe when last we spoke about her salary $28/hr (and she's in a so-so market).

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

A 4 year degree (BSN) will help her get to a higher level of authority. If her first 3 semesters were things like English, Art, those are all courses that would be required for a 4 year degree. I would look around for other schools because they should transfer.

Some of the decision depends on your finances and what sort of college experience she wants. A 2 year RN will be mostly clinicals and work, so she won't be doing the sorority, football game, home coming things a 4 year school provides.

Good luck. You also might want her to leave school now and go work as a nurse aid to see how she does around sick people. Not everyone is suited for the job.

Sorry to be off topic but IrishBlonde, your avatar is sooooooo cute!!!

I have a close friend who has her RN certificate (pediatric oncology nurse), works part time (2 days a week - 7pm to 7am) plus picks up a couple of extra shifts each month (weekends & holidays) and makes around $60k/year.

Just a guess, but Zoobie's friend may work what is called "per diem" which means she doesn't get benefits. That is one of the great things about nursing, IMHO. My husband carried the benefits and I was able to make extra per hour.

Jobs don't generally start out making that kind of money either. Zobbie's friend has a specialty, works in California (?) and is able to work 7p-7a and works holidays. Those are all factors in the 60K. And, that person is really almost full time. 3 12 hour shifts a week would be full time and that person is working 2 per week plus picking up a couple (? 2) a month -- in a 4 week month, full time would be 12 shifts and that friend is working 10.

The last time I worked as a nurse was 2000, so this is dated -- but, I worked 7p-7a 3 days a week, per diem, mostly weekends and holidays in a busy urban Emergency Department in the Midwest. I think I made around 65K before taxes. I was the Charge Nurse and I was Certified in Emergency Nursing and ICU. I was also trauma certified in both adult and pediatric care. Those added $ to my pay. I worked a number of years before I was able to reach that level.

And, I have to tell you, it was not easy. I had many nights I literally ran from 6pm to 8am and never stopped to sit, pee, eat, or drink. I was sleep deprived, but I chose nights so I could be with my kids and I don't regret that at all. Flexibility is a great aspect of nursing. However, know the better paying jobs can be dangerous and emotionally taxing. It isn't easy money. Plus, a person has to be fairly bright to be able to absorb the information required for jobs that require critical thinking skills, which are generally the better paying jobs.

I hope she does well if she changes schools. I haven't regretted my nursing career, but I know many who tried it and realized they didn't do well with sickness, crabby people, messy stuff, death, etc....

I also have a friend that makes almost the same amt. of $ that Zoobie's friend does-she does not have her BS. She typically works 36 hours a week. We live in Virginia. She does have full benefits. I know some of the per diem nurses make about $50 per hour (no benefits). If I were your daughter, I would go for the two year certificate. After that, she can pursue her BS. I know there are some programs that only require weekends after you are working. I had seriously considered nursing school, until my son got really sick. After that, and being in the hospital so much, I did realize that was not the job for me! Those girls bust their butts, and as bad as it sounds, I just don't think I have that amt. of compassion in me to to what they do, day in and day out.

Thanks for all your replies. I don't think she'll have problems dealing with the messy stuff because when my DS was hospitalized for 3 months earlier this year following a car accident, my DD was at the hospital with us every day. So I think she knows what's she's in for. As for missing sorority clubs and football games, she was never interested in that at all during her first two years, so I'm sure she won't miss it now. After reading your responses and doing some online research (American Nurses Association website, among others) I'm thinking the 2 year school might be the best way to go. Her current school offers an RN to BS program, so maybe she could return there after she finished up the 2 year school to finish her BS, since she'll already have almost 60 credits from them.

Kids are exhausting, aren't they?

My middle has changed career paths a number of times. I have a sister whose daughter floated from schools to learn teaching, to physical therapy, to paralegal. Now she is managing a video store and LOVES it. So, be glad she realized soon into this college she wanted something else.

To answer the last question of the first post - the initial pay for an AA RN and a BSN RN isn't much different. The difference lies in the potential for career growth. While the RN to BSN programs can be more flexible to accomodate working students, it is still pretty hard to work and go to school. Plus, she might be married and/or have a child. My advice would be to help her get the BSN if money and getting into the work force isn't an issue. If it is, the AA route is great.

"If she can pass the state boards for RN, then she should be able to make $15 (low end)/hr up to....well, the sky's the limt. Nurses are in extreme demand in most markets/areas. And if she doesn't live in a market w/ a high demand, then she can be a traveling nurse. Travelings get paid very well, are usually compensated for boarding and paid a per diem.

My best friend is "just" a regular RN, no BS. She attended a community college---she makes, I believe when last we spoke about her salary $28/hr (and she's in a so-so market). "

Ok Marilyn you are VERY wrong. Do you work in this field? Are you an RN? There is not an RN in the STATE that starts at 15.00 an hour anymore. No way, no how. Not even a diploma nurse! LPNs make more then that now...
I am sure also that your friend would really take offense to being called "just" an RN. An RN who has an AA degree took the SAME TEST as the BSN and even the MSN. The only difference is the letters and career potential.

If you child wants an honest opinion from someone who has been there done that then I would recommend she speak with one of her counselors or call the nursing office of any hospital and they will put you in touch with a mentor. (This is a nurse who volunteers to assist in bringing new nurses in the field)
Not sure where you live however I work in the medical field and would be more then happy to assist your daughter in this choice.

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Be careful what you wish for.....

Having a bad day are you?

I agree the vast majority of RN jobs available to a new graduates are more than $15/hour, but I can imagine there are a few RN positions (a slow doctor's office comes to mind) that someone in a lower wage state (Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana) would be willing to do for $15 or less in exchange for not having a stressful life. MK qualified the statement of $15 by saying "low end." Perhaps you missed that part?

I believe MK put the quotes around "just" purposely, to make your point without having to say it.

Merry Christmas

Any one out there a nurse anethetist? My dd is a sophomore in high school, and this is the path she thinks she wants to take. She's a fabulous student (ranked 4th in a class of 250), but knows that she doesn't want the demanding school etc., of medical school. We realize she'll be in school for 6 years, but she thinks this may be a good mix for when she is married, raising a family, etc.

Any opinions?

*sigh* are you having a bitchy day today?
I'm not in the medical field anymore. However, as a third party administrator for workers' compensation claims, I have to get wage/earnings statement for employees. Oh, did I mention, one of my former clients was a hospital association. A group of 9 medical facilities (Hospitals, Nursing homes and clinics)--you know places where nurses work!? I think I know a little more than the average person about wages especially in the state that I live. Is that true of all states? Nope.
Love ya! Don't ever change....
ETA: My bestest friend in the whole wide world, the one that is "just" an RN? She laughed at you, she thinks you are funny.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

My friend isn't per diem ~ she has insurance. But you did "hit the nail on the head" with the rest! She has been a nurse for 12 years so she worked her way up. She is often also the Charge Nurse and has other specialty certifications which adds to her pay. She often talks about "signing bonuses" that the hospital offers new nurses to lure them into working there. And, like you said about your job, she is one of the hardest working people I know. I am amazed that she is able to stay with her career with everything she sees/deals with. I know I couldn't do it.

I was not having a bad day, it just gets to me when soemone who has never been a nurse claims to know things about their pay. I am an PA currently at one of the largest hospitals in my state. I know for a fact that our RN's do not start at a rate of 15.00. LPN's dont even start that low. There is a nursing shortage due to the fact that no one is going into this field. Someone considering this field may change their mind based on the pay rate that the "expert in all" stated up there.
You have to go into any medical field for the love of helping people not for the money though.
Good luck to yoru daughter and whatever she decides.

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Be careful what you wish for.....

Yikes I would sincerely hope that someone who has gone to college and is a rn starts at more then 15 per hour. Here in our school district lunch paraprofessionals start at 13.45 per hour no college need for that. Also I am a kindergarten paraprofessional , this is a little different here in our school district you must first work 2 years to qualify as getting a interview and a opportunity to work as a kindergarten paraprofessional and that salary to start is about 3.00 more per hour. So I would sincerely think that a Rn makes more a hour and rightly so deserves so much more.Edited to say I have no professional experience on what a nurse 's salary is per say.. Peace and stay safe in this holiday season.... Catherine

Yes, but not all markets pay the same. Unfortunately, I do know RNs who make significant less than their skills/education are worth! I think some are paid far too low. But, in some markets, $15 is the starting rate of pay for a freshly minted nurse.
I'm not an "expert in all"--but when I do know, and when I do have information that is pertinent (and correct) I do plan to share it.
I agree that nursing should be a field you enter for the love of helping people or the love of finding answers for illness/injury.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I do have a friend who is a nurse anesthetist. She got her BSN w/ the
Berkeley nursing program, and then went on to school @ Michigan State. She did work several years as a nurse before going on to MS. I know the program was intense, but she pretty much doubled her nursing salary.

I really appreciate everyone's helpful comments and suggestions. Right now we're waiting for all of DD's grades for this semester to be posted so that she can request her transcript which she'll need for any application process. Please keep your fingers crossed that this works out for her, especially considering this past year. We could all use some good news in 2009!

My DD is a HS junior and is considering nursing. She is starting a volunteer/internship program at our local hospital to give her a better idea of what she is getting into. We have visited 6 4 yr colleges, all offering BSN programs. They tell us that transfer opportunites are very limited . The nursing school spots are in great demand, and once a kid gets in there, they do not leave. The academic profile of the typical admitted student is pretty impressive (the schools can afford to be choosy about who they admit because of the sheer # of applicants) so that there a very few openings due to academic drop-outs. A state school near us with a very well regarded nursing program had about 650 applicants last year and an admitted freshman class of about 55. During the open house, a large number of students and parents left when the the school administrators told us that the minimum GPA of admitted students was a 3.5.
On the other hand, there is a college near us with a pretty good nursing program. However, the college is in a very economically depressed area and does not attract the number of applicants other programs do. There is also a higher than normal # of freshman that do not return there. They seem to have nursing transfer opportunities.
I am sensing that the nursing shortage in the very near future will be severe, and that nurses with RNs will have fantastic career potential. My DD wants the BSN as she wants a traditional 4 yr college experience (although the nursing students have an extremely tough workload compared to many majors) and she also may want to get her masters at some point.
Hope your DD finds the right program for her future!

When I was at Vanderbilt they had a program where you went 5 years and got a masters. Does any place still do that? Everyone in the program thought it was amazing.

My DD is a senior now w/ 2 years left for her RN degree, she was able to get ahead a full year by doing post secondary in HS & then summer school. Goonie, If you have post secondary, check into that, it gives the kids a great head start for college & saves quite a bit of $!