Tell me about becoming an RN.

[The Wino]

I currently sell and repair computers at a store in a large chain. It sucks and I hate it and my boss and I want out. I'm 39 with two years of general bullshit college classes right out of high school (which I know won't count and I will have to either repeat them or test out of them, whichever the institution allows). I've made an appointment for August 4 for an informational session at a local school. Does anyone have experience with a two-year nursing RN program and/or actually working as a nurse? I have no real interest in working at a hospital and would prefer a smaller office or psychiatric facility. I understand a hospital would offer better pay and benefits but I have no desire to work in an ER or on a hospital floor or to do overnight shifts. Anyone?

[Rebo]

Paging @eleanorigby.

[Zeener Diode]

Originally Posted by Dolores Reborn

Paging @eleanorigby.

I think I saw her yesterday, picking up rice at somebody's wedding.

[eleanorigby]

The wedding was long over by the time I got there….

I say go to the info session where all of these questions will be answered. Most "medical" personnel who work in MD offices these days are not RNS, but "medical technicians" because they're much cheaper to employ.

I will say that it doesn't sound like you're cut out for nursing, given the whole I don't want to work in a hospital and at night stuff. Most non-clinical RN jobs are held by BSNs, not ADNs (which is what the 2 year degree is, an ADN program).
Nurses work long hours, mostly on their feet, taking care of sick people who are demanding due to their condition (either physical or psychological, usually both).

Lastly, admission into most nursing programs, even ADN ones (as opposed to BSN), is extremely competitive and the pressure does not let up once you are in.

[SweetPea]

Perhaps a Medical Assistant program would be more up your alley?

Medical Assistants usually complete a 2 year associate degree and are the only allied health profession specifically trained to work in the outpatient (non-hospital) setting and so are mostly employed in physician's offices.

Less pay than nursing, but upsides are no nights or weekends, no holidays, and pretty regular hours.

ETA: didn't read all the way through the thread before replying...maybe a MA is the same as Rigs "medical technician" suggestion? (I'm just not familiar with that job title?)

[SmartAleq]

Friend of mine is a respiratory therapist, married to a neuro-ICU nurse. She gets paid better but he doesn't have to lift patients and screw up his back as much as she does. They're both demanding fields, but my buddy really loves the respiratory gig and is angling his way toward working LifeFlight.

Also, from what I hear you're missing out by NOT working nights--the shift differential tends to be substantial and you don't have to deal with nearly as much bullshit and patient family as day shift. My RT friend has the best shift EVAR--12 hour shifts, nights, four on/ten off. I would hammer baby bunnies for a schedule like that.

[eleanorigby]

Eh, Medical Assistant; medical tech--same thing. Medical Assistants don't make much money, but they also don't do the extensive work that RNs do.

RT will still need an Associate's Degree.

[SweetPea]

Originally Posted by eleanorigby

Eh, Medical Assistant; medical tech--same thing. Medical Assistants don't make much money, but they also don't do the extensive work that RNs do.

RT will still need an Associate's Degree.

I guess it's all relative...my last hourly as a Lead Medical Assistant/Clinical Manager before I returned to school was $22/hr. As with any profession, salaries will vary in different parts of the country and with experience.

Not the fancy title of "nurse", but lots of patient care, assisting with office surgeries, medication administration, drawing blood, lab testing, starting IV's...never a dull moment.

[The Wino]

Thanks for the info, guys! I'm going to the session and I had the associate professor of nursing for the second school I'm considering as a customer yesterday and got some info from her. She's encouraging me to consider that program instead. My mother-in-law is a psychiatrist and I sort of had her office in mind when I mentioned that type of place. I worked for her company (the one she works for, I don't mean she owns it) years ago as a psych tech and liked it.
This may be something I never actually work a day at, but I am very interested in pursuing the degree. A friend who is in a different nursing school several hours away put me in contact with her stepsister who attends the first school I'm considering. She's switching to an RT program but has been very helpful with info on the RN program.
Thanks again for everyone's input! It's much appreciated.

[SweetPea]

Good luck to you! I hope you find something you like and that meets your needs

[Inna Minnit]

Find out if your local hospital has a program to shadow a nurse. Seeing one in action may help you decide.