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I have an associates in addiction counseling minus an internship. Then I can start my certification packet, which requires 3 years of experience, a lot of which has the potential to be unpaid, and the paid portion will be maybe minimum wage or slighty above. When certified the pay is between 20-35 an hour. I am considering going to nursing school as soon as I finish my 100 hr internship. It will be 2 years of school then I can take NClex for my RN. Pay varies. I want to live in AK and they pay well for traveling nurses and they have a huge substance problem so I know either has potential but nursing has more options.
So if you were in my position, would you do the 3 yrs for certification or 2 years for nursing school. I was hoping to get my RN and be a nurse in a rehab facility since I have an addiction background and I can get my BA in nursing since I already have AAS
(All other medical cert issues apply with either path, re-applying every year or 2. Additional classes, other specialities)
I was looking at the job listings for various locations in AK, and noticed a few substance abuse facilities hiring. There are tons of opportunities for RNs in the state.
A plus with nursing is if you get burned out, the scope is so wide there are numerous specializations to explore, from getting your flight nurse certification to being a Cath nurse, or working in hospice. Or behind a desk if that's your thing.
You would be correct. Counselors tend to burn out very quickly. Nursing is a way for me to still help people, which is my passion and i can still work in the field that I am interested in as AK has a big substance problem. But if there is burnout there is a lot of options. I am kind of excited about going into nursing. The consensus seems to be nursing.
How much are entry level nurses making in your areas (any of you?) Specifically for AK? How difficult would you say it is to find work just out of school?
I don't know what nurses start at right now. But my BIL changed careers to become a nurse in his 30s, and he found a job right away. That was just two years ago.
The only way you get the higher rate of addiction counseling, is if you are a licensed LCSW, without a Masters degree, you are not going to be making the higher wages in addiction counseling.
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