Shayna
What will life look like for me as a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) new grad?
I am a high school senior on the edge of graduating high school and going to a 4-year university to get my BSN and becoming a nurse. My family will have to take out loans given the current price of college, and we've come to terms with the fact that I will be helping them pay it back after college. After gaining a BSN comes taking the NCLEX, which will license me as a registered nurse. The job security of nursing even as a new grad has lowered my stress of student loans, but I'm stumped on what my life would and could look like right after undergrad. How quick am I able to take the NCLEX after college, and what are my chances of landing a strong nursing job as a new grad? I plan to get my doctorate in either nurse practitioner or CRNA, but I'm also clueless about how big of a gap I should take between my undergraduate and graduate education and the financial strain it would have on me on top of my past student loans. I'm praying for a bright and lucky future as a new grad, especially living in Boston, but would love a realistic answer to my timeline and expectations.
1 answer
Shelley DeReu RN, BSN, CNMT
Shelley’s Answer
There's a lot to unpack here.
First, a nursing degree is a good investment because it is a career that can accommodate your work life balance as your life progresses. As you know, nurses work in hospitals and clinics but they work in industrial safety, medical research, insurance, health and education, wellness, cosmetic spas, etc. In the hospital/clinics there are surgery nurses, interventional radiology, cardiac cath, endoscopy nurses. Med. surg, critical care, maternity, OB, pediatrics, oncology, emergency, just to name the most obvious nursing specialties. Once you graduate, you will know what type/s of nursing that you have been exposed to, that interest you.
After graduation, you most likely will have a job lined up before you qualify to take the NCLEX as your program will most likely set up opportunities for your class to interview for local nursing job openings. My state required a 30 day wait after graduating to sit for the boards. Your state may be different. You will have no trouble getting a nursing job, your first job may not be at the hospital, location or specialty that you prefer. Maybe it will, that's the goal to work on when you are close to graduating.
What happens after graduation depends on your financial situation and your motivation to work. You can pick up extra work shifts to help get a solid financial footing and launch independent living. You can go back to school at any time so if you feel you need a break from school, take one and do what is best for you at the time. Your job or your own motivation will let you know when you should head back to class for your NP.
In reference to landing a strong nursing job, this starts when you start your journey towards nursing. Be a dedicated student, do the work, be polite, physically clean, and professional in every class and with every instructor or staff you encounter. These are the people who will be your references on your resume. Be the student that instructors and staff like to work with and they will remember you when you need references for NP school or other professional references for jobs or goals you are working towards.
The future is bright for you and you will have many options to choose from throughout your career. Good luck!