How much do RNs make in SA? (Corpus Christi: home, school)

[wehotex]

I am considering a 180 degree career change to nursing. Is it true that a nurse can write his/her own ticket and go wherever he/she wants to go? How long would I have to be in school to finish the degree?

[CCdweller]

Nursing is probably the best field to be in. I have been a nurse in Corpus Christi since 1996. I have never been without a job. I am constantly being recruited by travel companies. The sky is the limit when it comes to income. If you need the benefits your pay starts between 22-24$ here in South Texas and that includes SA. That is base pay and does not include the weekend differential or the night shift differential which can really add up. Once you have your 1 year experience and you want to give up the benefits you can work at Baptist in SA and make up to $42 per hour with the differentials. At 40 hours per week that equals $80000 per year minimum. If you are energetic and want to work a little overtime you could easily bring home over $100000 per year. Good luck- hope this helps.

[sapphire]

Do you like blood, vomit, cleaning other people's butts? Is there any compassion in you for sick people? Do you care about other people's pain and suffering?

Those are the questions you should be asking. Not how much money you'll make. Sorry, that's just one of those careers that needs people to have a "calling".....

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Do you like blood, vomit, cleaning other people's butts? Is there any compassion in you for sick people? Do you care about other people's pain and suffering?

Those are the questions you should be asking. Not how much money you'll make. Sorry, that's just one of those careers that needs people to have a "calling".....

yes, you're absolutely right about that. i do consider myself to be a compassionate person, for the record.

[perticusrex]

ITA agree Saph.

My husband has been in the medical field since 2003, first as a CNA, then LVN and now is graduating from nursing school to specialize in surgery. As a CNA he did a ton of grunt work so that really prepared him for the next step in his career. He has been bitten, peed on, pooped on, had people die in his arms (including children) cussed out, kicked, punched, spit on, and exposed to pretty much every disease in existence. You have to have a lot of passion and truly LOVE what you do in a field like this, including comppassion for ALL PEOPLE regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, lifestyle choices (ie drug addicts, prostitutes) not to say you dont but being a nurse is no cakewalk regardless of the earning potential. I know I couldnt do half of the things my husband has had to do. Good luck in your furture endeavors!

P/s he is graduating from Galen Health Institute but has taken courses at UTHSC & Kaplan college.

[skeet09]

If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can do less coursework to get your BSN (bachelor's in nursing). It's called a second bachelors in nursing and can be done in about 2 years. Check it discovernursing.com if you haven't done so already.

[franklin9150]

I'm going to have to agree with what others are saying. There is decent money to be made, but that shouldn't be the main reason for going into the field. While I am not a nurse, I do work in the medical field, and let me tell you, it takes a strong person to do the job and love the job.

[Paka]

As a nurse, I can tell you LOTS of folks have come into the field for the wrong reason (teaching seems to be the other "easy" job field that folks flock to) and if you are in it for the wrong reasons, those folks normally leave withihn the first 5 yrs...burn out is fast if you are in it for the wrong reasons. The other thing to consider is that you hare held to a different standard...what you do in your off duty time DOES affect your employability. Drugs, alcohol, arrests are all factors that can create a situation where your liscense is suspended/revolked and you are unable to work.

Having said that, if you are looking for a job that will always have demand, and you will NEVER have to worry about changing jobs because of being "phased out" with progress...nursing is it.

A HUGE number of us will be retiring from the field in the next 10 yrs, the deman to replace us old farts is high and the already obvious shortage will only be worse. Now is a good time to look into it if you are driven by the right reasons. Good luck!

[carlitasway]

Yeah, everyone keeps telling me to get into nursing but I don't think I'm strong enough for it. Yeah the money is good but you definitely earn what you make.