After much debate and research I have concluded that becoming a NICU nurse would be the best career path for me to pursue. Some of the things that influenced my decision was the amount of time spent in school, the salary, and the fact that I will be challenged to think outside the box.
The minimum requirement for employment as a NICU nurse is a RN license. There are nursing programs out there where you can obtain an associates degree in nursing in as little as eighteen months. I am not looking to be in school another four to five years. Going this route, I would still be able to work in my career choice without attending school all those extra years.
The salary of a NICU nurse depends on the cost of living in that area and the level of experience. According to PayScale.com neonatal nurses can expect to earn between $50,421 and $82,975 per year, depending on their qualifications and experience. I'm not looking to make a million dollars, however I believe this is a salary my family and I could live on comfortably.
Because you are dealing with some the most precious and fragile life you have to on top of your game. Working in a NICU can be very fast paced at times, and it will require you to use your critical thinking skills. My adrenaline gets my blood pumping when I have to think on my toes. This is definitely a job that will always keep you on your toes, and keep you thinking outside the box.
This career is not for everyone. I certainly believe it is just right for me. It's ideal for me because the amount of schooling fits perfectly into my schedule, the salary is terrific, and it will always challenge me to use my critical thinking skills. No matter what I know I have made the right decision.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Compare And Contrast My 3 Career Choices
There are many directions you can go in once you become a RN. Soon I am going to have to make a choice on what area I want to focus on. I have said before that I have an interest in specializing as a NICU RN, a nursing instructor, or a CRNA. Although there are some things that are the same in these careers, there are also many things that are different.
First off to go into any one of these areas you must have attended an accredited nursing program, and have a license as a RN. Whether you are a neonatal RN, nursing instructor or CRNA they are all educators. As a NICU RN you are constantly educating the parents and family members of your patients. Nursing instructors obviously are constantly educating their students about safety and on how to be the best nurses they can be. As a CRNA you are also constantly educating your patients and their families on how anesthesia works.
When considering these fields you have to understand the education levels for each one are different. For a NICU RN the minimum degree is an associate’s however, a bachelor’s degree is ideal. Nursing instructors requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree yet again, a master’s is ideal. As a CRNA you must have a master’s degree from a CRNA graduate program. There is also a difference in the salary for each of these careers. A NICU RN average salary is $79,500 per year. A nursing instructor salary can range from $35,000-$65,000 per year. Not surprising, a CRNA leads the top of the field with a salary of anywhere from $92,000-$158,000. These salaries can be more or less depending on where you live, and your experience.
Regardless of which one of these career paths I choose I don’t believe I can go wrong. Sure there are differences and similarities. I know they all require me to be an RN and an educator. I also know that there is a little more education involved, and there are differences in pay. Regardless of these differences I believe I can’t go wrong with whatever career field I choose. Since being a nurse is something I have wanted for a long time, I know I will get enjoyment and satisfaction no matter what direction I choose to pursue.
First off to go into any one of these areas you must have attended an accredited nursing program, and have a license as a RN. Whether you are a neonatal RN, nursing instructor or CRNA they are all educators. As a NICU RN you are constantly educating the parents and family members of your patients. Nursing instructors obviously are constantly educating their students about safety and on how to be the best nurses they can be. As a CRNA you are also constantly educating your patients and their families on how anesthesia works.
When considering these fields you have to understand the education levels for each one are different. For a NICU RN the minimum degree is an associate’s however, a bachelor’s degree is ideal. Nursing instructors requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree yet again, a master’s is ideal. As a CRNA you must have a master’s degree from a CRNA graduate program. There is also a difference in the salary for each of these careers. A NICU RN average salary is $79,500 per year. A nursing instructor salary can range from $35,000-$65,000 per year. Not surprising, a CRNA leads the top of the field with a salary of anywhere from $92,000-$158,000. These salaries can be more or less depending on where you live, and your experience.
Regardless of which one of these career paths I choose I don’t believe I can go wrong. Sure there are differences and similarities. I know they all require me to be an RN and an educator. I also know that there is a little more education involved, and there are differences in pay. Regardless of these differences I believe I can’t go wrong with whatever career field I choose. Since being a nurse is something I have wanted for a long time, I know I will get enjoyment and satisfaction no matter what direction I choose to pursue.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Why Did You Choose Bryant & Stratton?
I choose Bryant & Stratton for a few reasons. While looking into colleges I was looking for one that offered a classroom setting, didn't keep me on a long waiting list, and really wanted me to succeed. I ultimately found that at Bryant & Stratton, and that is what influenced my decision to choose Bryant & Stratton.
I bought into an online LPN to RN program about two years ago, and have done nothing with it. It was one of the programs you would do online at your own pace. After two years of trying I was not really getting anywhere. I decided I needed to be in a classroom setting with deadlines in order to finally get something accomplished. Bryant & Stratton offered the traditional classroom setting that I needed.
Some of the other nursing programs I looked into had waiting lists on average of two years. Here at Bryant & Stratton I will be done with my program in 18 months. That alone mad a huge difference to me. I began to think it doesn't make sense to sit on a waiting list for two years, then spend another two years in the program. By the time I am done here at Bryant & Stratton, I would just be coming off the waiting list at another college.
After coming to Bryant and Stratton to tour and speaking with some of the people from the different departments, I got the feeling they really want the students to succeed. I have been to many schools and I have not had that feeling. Many schools only care about how many people they can get into the seats. I felt like that was not their main goal here. They gave me the feeling that once I was accepted into the school they would do whatever it took to help me complete my journey.
Many things went into my decision to choose Bryant & Stratton. I sat down and weighed all my options. Ultimately it came down to me needing to be in a classroom setting verses online classes. I also liked that the program had no waiting list, and the fact that Bryant & Stratton is genuienly interested in me being successful in my area of discipline and not just a financial gain. At this point I think this was the right choice for me.
I bought into an online LPN to RN program about two years ago, and have done nothing with it. It was one of the programs you would do online at your own pace. After two years of trying I was not really getting anywhere. I decided I needed to be in a classroom setting with deadlines in order to finally get something accomplished. Bryant & Stratton offered the traditional classroom setting that I needed.
Some of the other nursing programs I looked into had waiting lists on average of two years. Here at Bryant & Stratton I will be done with my program in 18 months. That alone mad a huge difference to me. I began to think it doesn't make sense to sit on a waiting list for two years, then spend another two years in the program. By the time I am done here at Bryant & Stratton, I would just be coming off the waiting list at another college.
After coming to Bryant and Stratton to tour and speaking with some of the people from the different departments, I got the feeling they really want the students to succeed. I have been to many schools and I have not had that feeling. Many schools only care about how many people they can get into the seats. I felt like that was not their main goal here. They gave me the feeling that once I was accepted into the school they would do whatever it took to help me complete my journey.
Many things went into my decision to choose Bryant & Stratton. I sat down and weighed all my options. Ultimately it came down to me needing to be in a classroom setting verses online classes. I also liked that the program had no waiting list, and the fact that Bryant & Stratton is genuienly interested in me being successful in my area of discipline and not just a financial gain. At this point I think this was the right choice for me.
Monday, March 8, 2010
What 3 Careers Within Your Discipline Are You Most Interested In?
In the nursing field there are many areas you can persue. That's one of the great things about this field, you don't have to be tied down to just one area. Some of the areas I am interested in looking into would be specializing as a Neonatoal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)Registered Nurse (RN), a nursing instructor, or that of a Certified Registered Nurse Anestitist (CRNA).
After having kids that spent time in the NICU I told myself I would go back to school to become an RN. Once I became an RN I wanted to specialize and become a NICU nurse. The time I spent in the NICU really inspired me. I was amazed to see how these tiny beings would pull through when most thought they would not. I just want to be apart of helping the most precious, fragile people on this earth.
I have also played with the idea of being a nurse instructor. The thought first came to me when I was going through my License Practical Nurse (LPN) training. I saw how dedicated some of my instructors were at making sure we would be the best nurses we could be. I have that passion and I believe teaching is something I could really excel in.
My ultimate goal would probably be to become a CRNA. I have always been fascinated with surgeries. What better way to be part of it than to become a CRNA? Being an RN is an accomplishment in itself, becoming an CRNA is the mountain top of the profession. Being entrusted to provide the ultimate nursing care is something I desirer.
It's nice to know that I have chosen a field where I am not limited on the potential areas I want to persue. The nursing field will give me a broad choice on what I want to do as a nurse. I have decided that I would be most interested in specialing as an NICU nurse, a nursing instructor, or a CRNA. If for some reason I don't like one of these areas I have chosen; it's nice to know I'm not just restricted to it.
After having kids that spent time in the NICU I told myself I would go back to school to become an RN. Once I became an RN I wanted to specialize and become a NICU nurse. The time I spent in the NICU really inspired me. I was amazed to see how these tiny beings would pull through when most thought they would not. I just want to be apart of helping the most precious, fragile people on this earth.
I have also played with the idea of being a nurse instructor. The thought first came to me when I was going through my License Practical Nurse (LPN) training. I saw how dedicated some of my instructors were at making sure we would be the best nurses we could be. I have that passion and I believe teaching is something I could really excel in.
My ultimate goal would probably be to become a CRNA. I have always been fascinated with surgeries. What better way to be part of it than to become a CRNA? Being an RN is an accomplishment in itself, becoming an CRNA is the mountain top of the profession. Being entrusted to provide the ultimate nursing care is something I desirer.
It's nice to know that I have chosen a field where I am not limited on the potential areas I want to persue. The nursing field will give me a broad choice on what I want to do as a nurse. I have decided that I would be most interested in specialing as an NICU nurse, a nursing instructor, or a CRNA. If for some reason I don't like one of these areas I have chosen; it's nice to know I'm not just restricted to it.
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