4 answers
Hailey
Student
San Luis, Arizona
3
Questions
Asked
356 views
nursing questions?
how long does it take to become a nurse? what is the best school to become a nurse? when can i start to study for nursing? why is a nurse a good job? how much money do nurses make on hourly in pheonix?
Login to comment
4 answers
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
472
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
Hi, Hailey,
My daughter-in-law is a nurse and I've enjoyed watching her career. Becoming a nurse takes roughly two years, but you are encouraged to also finish a four-year degree. The next level, if interested, is becoming a Nurse Practitioner, which would let you work hand-in-hand with doctors. In fact, many Nurse Practitioners open their own practices. Salaries are very high, as nurses are in high demand right now. Locally, I see signup bonuses in the area of $40,000, just for taking the job. So, it can be a lucrative career for you. Nurses are always in demand. All the best to you.
My daughter-in-law is a nurse and I've enjoyed watching her career. Becoming a nurse takes roughly two years, but you are encouraged to also finish a four-year degree. The next level, if interested, is becoming a Nurse Practitioner, which would let you work hand-in-hand with doctors. In fact, many Nurse Practitioners open their own practices. Salaries are very high, as nurses are in high demand right now. Locally, I see signup bonuses in the area of $40,000, just for taking the job. So, it can be a lucrative career for you. Nurses are always in demand. All the best to you.
Christina Birch
Nurse Practitioner
24
Answers
Berkeley, California
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Hailey,
I just retired from a long career as an ICU Nurse and subsequently a Nurse Practitioner. I would definitely recommend getting a 4 year BS in Nursing. Many places want nurses with a bachelors degree and they usually are better paid than nurses with a 2 year degree. Also, the 2 year programs often require several pre-requisites to get into their programs so you will spend close to 4 years getting the lower degree any way. Also, if you want to advance your career, a BS is required before you get your Masters degree.
It's a wonderful profession and you can work in any area that you find interesting. It is always rewarding. The pay is good but does top out after awhile unless you go into management. I don't know what the salaries are in Phoenix but that should be something you can easily look up.
Any experience you get in the health field will help you get into a Nursing program so look into volunteer options in your local hospitals or doctor's offices. This will also give you exposure to the health field to give you an idea if it is something you will enjoy.
Good luck.
I just retired from a long career as an ICU Nurse and subsequently a Nurse Practitioner. I would definitely recommend getting a 4 year BS in Nursing. Many places want nurses with a bachelors degree and they usually are better paid than nurses with a 2 year degree. Also, the 2 year programs often require several pre-requisites to get into their programs so you will spend close to 4 years getting the lower degree any way. Also, if you want to advance your career, a BS is required before you get your Masters degree.
It's a wonderful profession and you can work in any area that you find interesting. It is always rewarding. The pay is good but does top out after awhile unless you go into management. I don't know what the salaries are in Phoenix but that should be something you can easily look up.
Any experience you get in the health field will help you get into a Nursing program so look into volunteer options in your local hospitals or doctor's offices. This will also give you exposure to the health field to give you an idea if it is something you will enjoy.
Good luck.
Lyn Johnson
REGISTERED NURSE
5
Answers
Newport News, Virginia
Updated
Lyn’s Answer
Haily RN here, definitely go forthe 4 yr bachelors as your baseline. Even if you have no current interted in being involved in managment or policy without that degree you may find my potential other avenues within nursing inaccesible. I would recommended volunteering at a local hospital in any area, or perhaps getting a summer job working in the ED as a registrar(tht wa an amazing experience) you get to see so much but have no hands on responsiblities.
Ann Clark
Nurse
9
Answers
Louisville, Nebraska
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Hi, Hailey!
I would recommend that you get your bachelor's degree because that seems to be the standard for employment anymore at the larger hospital systems. Many have special accreditations from private agencies that certify a certain level of care and many of those require a certain percentage of BSN nurses.
However, I would encourage you to save a lot of money by getting your ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) from a community College first, then move on to a 4-year program. While working as an RN, you can contract with your employer to have your BSN in a certain number of years. Take advantage of tuition assistance and reimbursement programs offered by your employer.
Most employers don't care about the school you went to, only that you learned enough to pass the licensing exam. They know you'll learn more in your first year of nursing than you ever did in school.
By taking advantage of community colleges and tuition reimbursement programs, you can shave tens of thousands of dollars off of your education bills and potentially pay out of pocket, starting your career avoiding the student loan trap.
Being a nurse is a great job, since there are so many ways to be a nurse. You can work 8, 10 or 12-hour shifts. You can work days, evenings or overnight. You can work in a hospital, clinic, office, training facility, law office, police department, school or even own your own business. Nursing allows work-life balance. If you work 3 12-hour shifts, you have 4 days off/week!Arizona?
I think the median hourly wage for nurses in Arizona is right around $38/hour, so starting wages would be lower than that. Hope this helps!
Good luck!
I would recommend that you get your bachelor's degree because that seems to be the standard for employment anymore at the larger hospital systems. Many have special accreditations from private agencies that certify a certain level of care and many of those require a certain percentage of BSN nurses.
However, I would encourage you to save a lot of money by getting your ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) from a community College first, then move on to a 4-year program. While working as an RN, you can contract with your employer to have your BSN in a certain number of years. Take advantage of tuition assistance and reimbursement programs offered by your employer.
Most employers don't care about the school you went to, only that you learned enough to pass the licensing exam. They know you'll learn more in your first year of nursing than you ever did in school.
By taking advantage of community colleges and tuition reimbursement programs, you can shave tens of thousands of dollars off of your education bills and potentially pay out of pocket, starting your career avoiding the student loan trap.
Being a nurse is a great job, since there are so many ways to be a nurse. You can work 8, 10 or 12-hour shifts. You can work days, evenings or overnight. You can work in a hospital, clinic, office, training facility, law office, police department, school or even own your own business. Nursing allows work-life balance. If you work 3 12-hour shifts, you have 4 days off/week!Arizona?
I think the median hourly wage for nurses in Arizona is right around $38/hour, so starting wages would be lower than that. Hope this helps!
Good luck!