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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Some Qs about a nursing career
I know there are a lot of posts on a nursing career but I have a few Qs.
Which programs are "best" on LI?
I know of
Nassau Community
Suffold Community (seems to have a great rep according to many people I have talked to)
SUNY Farmingdale
Story Brook
Any feedback on those programs? pros and cons.
- Can you do it PT, evening, weekends? if so, who offers it.
Also I am being told that a starting job at a hospistal for a 3 day (12 hour shift) is starting at $60K. Is that for real or the typical bait practice?
What are typical schedules as a starting RN? 3 day shifts, more?
Do you need any pre-requisite classes prior to enrolling in a RN nursing program?
TIA
Message edited 3/7/2009 8:33:14 PM.
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Posted 3/7/09 8:28 PM  |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
There's also Adelphi and Molloy (more expensive since private).
There are prerequisites to get admitted. All the public programs are competitive (NCC, SCC, and Stony Brook accept between 10-20%--not sure about others). Stony Brook is a 4-year program, while NCC, SCC, and Farmingdale are 2-year (but add in prerequisites that you must complete first). Prerequisites can definitely be done at night/weekends, but once enrolled in the program you probably wouldn't be able to do all the courses and internship hours at night and on weekends.
I am not a nurse, but work at one of those colleges. The starting salary sounds right for those working for the night shift, which does make more than the day shifts. It's not a bait and switch; the hospital I am familiar with pays low 50s for days right out of a degree program, but many work nights for the additional $$$.
Message edited 3/7/2009 8:44:31 PM.
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| Posted 3/7/09 8:43 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
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aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
I'm not a nurse.... but a good friend of mine that I met in the lab left to become one..
you need a bachelor's in nursing. stony brook has a good program, but it's difficult to get in, becuase tuition is very reasonable. After that, you'll likely want to be come an RN (which is more pay and more responsibility) or, if you're even more ambitious, a nurse practitioner (who basicaly is almost a physician... they can write prescriptions and independently see patients).
you should really think hard about what specialty suits your personality (ER, labor and delivery, ICU, CCU, ped's....)
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| Posted 3/7/09 8:43 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
Posted by wannabemom
you need a bachelor's in nursing. stony brook has a good program, but it's difficult to get in, becuase tuition is very reasonable.
you don't need the bachelor's--the associate's from NCC, SCC, and Farmingdale are just as good for getting the entry-level jobs, and the bachelor's degree as opposed to the associate's doesn't even mean more money. most of the students in the SB bachelor's program already have a 4-year degree.
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| Posted 3/7/09 8:51 PM |
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JC621
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 616 total posts
Name:
JC
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
Suffolk has a highly respected program, and you can take night classes.
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| Posted 3/7/09 9:12 PM |
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SuperLRN
Im a big boy now
Member since 5/08 2527 total posts
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by wannabemom
you need a bachelor's in nursing. stony brook has a good program, but it's difficult to get in, becuase tuition is very reasonable.
you don't need the bachelor's--the associate's from NCC, SCC, and Farmingdale are just as good for getting the entry-level jobs, and the bachelor's degree as opposed to the associate's doesn't even mean more money. most of the students in the SB bachelor's program already have a 4-year degree.
The difference in salary in my hospital for a BSN and associates degree is only $1200. If you already have a bachelors in something else, I would go for the associates in nursing and then when you start working you can go back to school and the hospital will pay for it (or at least some of it). My hospital gives us up to $10,000 a year for education.
Most RN jobs in a hospital are 3 12 hour shifts a week and then one week of 4 12 hours shifts. Some positions are 4 10hr weeks but I dont see that as frequently. Most RNs start on the night shift which you get a night differential for. In my hospital it is an additional &5K. So as a starting nurse on night you can make close to $72K a year with benefits and vacation.
ETA: I needed to take Anatomy & physiology 1 & 2 before I could even apply for a nursing program. FM me if you have any questions.
Message edited 3/8/2009 12:41:22 AM.
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| Posted 3/8/09 12:37 AM |
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sometimesmommy
Always in my heart.....
Member since 11/06 6686 total posts
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
MY MIL did a 2 year program then took the R.N test, passed and got a job soon after. She works in a nursing home. She makes over 90K a year with OT.
If you are going to do it, definitely research and jump in. So many people are trying to get into (get back into)nursing due to the economy that its going to become competitive soon.
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| Posted 3/8/09 7:50 AM |
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neenie
Member since 5/05 22351 total posts
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
Posted by wannabemom
I'm not a nurse.... but a good friend of mine that I met in the lab left to become one..
you need a bachelor's in nursing. stony brook has a good program, but it's difficult to get in, becuase tuition is very reasonable. After that, you'll likely want to be come an RN (which is more pay and more responsibility) or, if you're even more ambitious, a nurse practitioner (who basicaly is almost a physician... they can write prescriptions and independently see patients).
you should really think hard about what specialty suits your personality (ER, labor and delivery, ICU, CCU, ped's....)
You don't NEED a Bachelor's. Also, if you do obtain an associates or bachelors, you are an RN (I'm nto sure what mean by "after that you'll want to become an RN?)
I also wouldn't worry too much about thinking too hard about what specialty you'd want to go into- you'll have clinicals, and in most cases, you'd be surprised and love something you thought you'd hate, and hate something you thought you'd love.
Most schedules are 3 days a week with a 4th day once/month. I work 7p-7:30am, so its technically 12.5 hours per shift, but really it can be more or less- if the nurse coming on to relieve you is on time and you give report quickly, you can be out of there sooner, but on average, it's 12.5 hours.
Salaries vary by area and private vs. public/county hospital. It can vary greatly... for ex: last year (or the year before?) i knew someone offered a position at Sloan Kettering for 70K + 7k night diff... but then ive heard that Stony Brook only offers mid 50s (not positive on that one, ive just heard it in passing). Most hospitals start mid 60s, but if you work nights, the night diff puts you over 70K. Also, you'll get some more than that too, because anytime you work a holiday, you get paid time and a half- and you'll have at least a few holidays in there. It's hard work though- harder than i ever imagined, so really research it as much as you can b/c it is such a big commitment! 
Oh- also... look at the different programs, but many of them DO have an option for people who can only take class at night... i did nights all throughout nursing school while i worked during the day- most people in the programs are change of career people, so the programs are much more accomodating in that sense.
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| Posted 3/8/09 8:32 AM |
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Serendipity
Summer!
Member since 4/07 7631 total posts
Name:
PrayingWishingHopingALOT
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
I am a RN with my master's. Just to clarify a few things.
Currently you do not NEED a Bachelors to be a Registered Nurse.
However there is talk that in the future they are doing away with the Associate Degree, but that has not happened yet.
I work in Memorial Sloan Kettering and they do hire both Associate and Bachelor prepared nurses. (i think many hospitals still do).
As far as salary. You will find a BIG difference between the city and on LI.
New Grads starting in my hospital make over 70K plus a 10% night differential. (in addition, the benefits at memorial are great as well!)
In addition you have the potential for overtime. As a RN in my hospital if you work overtime (per diem) for the hospital you make 75/hr and as an advanced practice nurse (RN with a masters) it is $80/hour.
However, there are always things to take into consideration when working in the city...your commute adds up and it is a LONG commute depending on where you work. SO even if you make a little less (and Sloan happens to be one of the highest paying hospitals) you might want to trade that in for a easier lifestyle- e.g commute!!!
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| Posted 3/8/09 10:42 AM |
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DmarieK
My loves!!
Member since 1/06 9203 total posts
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
I don't know exact details but my little sister is an RN. She went to Suffolk and then the nursing program at Farmingdale.
She works 3 nights a week from 7- 7:30 and sometimes 4 nights. Can't remember how often...maybe 1x a month...every other week
She has her Associates and is currently going for her Bach. Her starting salary was over $60K.
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| Posted 3/9/09 1:48 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Some Qs about a nursing career
Thanks everone for the feedback!
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| Posted 3/12/09 2:11 PM |
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