Who is an RN? Any Baylor shifters? Discussion.

[Galatea]

I know there are a lot of RN hsing moms here. Help please!

Ds1 and 2 are nowhere near hsing age, but I am as serious about hsing them as I was about bfing them. I have been struggling recently with having to make some money but not wanting to send the kiddos to school. I have applied to and considered many different types of grad programs (law, library) but I haven't been able to actually start the process to go to these programs and the issue has been causing me much stress. Then I had a revelation - my life priority is to educate myself and my children and raise them right. Thus, I should have a job that allows me to do those things while making some decent money. I would not be happy sacrificing my hs dream in order to make money on a normal job, and that is why I haven't actually enrolled in law or library.

My sister is an RN in Philly and she works Baylor shifts (2 12-hr on the weekends) and then is free all week with the kids (who go to public school) and still pulls a great salary. She knows I want to hs and thinks I should be an RN too, to minimize my time away from home and maximize my income. She says she never wanted to be Florence Nightingale; she just knew that being an RN would allow her to spend a lot of time with her kids and she knew she could handle the grossness. I feel the same way about Florence and the blood and poop. My questions are these:

1. Sister says to go to the local hospital diploma program where she went b/c whether you have an ADN, BSN, or diploma, you all get paid the same, and I might as well make it easy on myself. The school is about 5 mins away from my house. I don't have many of the prereqs (A&P, micro, etc.) so this is tempting b/c they don't care about any of that. It is a 2 yr program aimed at people out of high school. Sister also had her BA when she went there. Now, there is also a nearby school that has a 2nd degree BSN but they do have prereqs, though from what I can tell, they will admit you and let you take the prereqs there. I imagine it would take me longer, though I would have to have the school evaluate my college transcript to know how long. Is a BSN so much more worth it?

2. Are Baylor shifts available in your area? Are they well-paid? If not, are you able to get the off-hours shifts you want? Are you well-paid? How many hours do you work?

3. Do you know of any other career that offers the same shift flexibility with the good pay? Sister says no; for the time in school and the shift work, nursing can't be beat. But she only really knows nursing.

Thanks for your help.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Galatea

1. Sister says to go to the local hospital diploma program where she went b/c whether you have an ADN, BSN, or diploma, you all get paid the same, and I might as well make it easy on myself. The school is about 5 mins away from my house. I don't have many of the prereqs (A&P, micro, etc.) so this is tempting b/c they don't care about any of that.

Make sure that you get up to date information from the programs you are considering. Where I live, acceptance into nursing programs is highly competitive. I'm going through a 2 year program that technically doesn't require all the other classes are fulled before starting, BUT gets about 500 apps for their 100 openings, so they rate applicants based on how many of the prereqs they have already taken and the grades received in those classes. Even though they don't require the prereqs, there is no way to get in unless you have them. :

Now, there is also a nearby school that has a 2nd degree BSN but they do have prereqs, though from what I can tell, they will admit you and let you take the prereqs there. I imagine it would take me longer, though I would have to have the school evaluate my college transcript to know how long.

I think you should check out BOTH programs and find out exactly what each will require of based based on your previous school experience, how competitive admissions are, how much they each cost and how solid the education they provide is. The program I've choose has a solid reputation in town for their intensive clinicals. The nurses come out of school stronger in nursing skills than the BSN program.

It might make sense to apply to both programs so you have a back up.

The cost of the program makes a BIG difference. The associates program I'm in will cost about $1,000 per semester plus books. The BSN program in town is at a private university and would cost about $9,500 per semester.

You might also want to find out what the options are in your area for BSN completion programs. There is a state univeristy not far from us that that will let RNs with an associates to enter the Master's in Nursing Program, and earn their BSN and their Masters at the same time. I've heard that there are also BSN completion programs that can be done entirely on-line.

2. Are Baylor shifts available in your area? Are they well-paid? If not, are you able to get the off-hours shifts you want? Are you well-paid? How many hours do you work?

I've never heard them called that. Here working two 12-hour shifts on the weekend qualifies you for full time pay and full time benefits. If you work the Fri and Sat NIGHT shifts you also get shift differential.

3. Do you know of any other career that offers the same shift flexibility with the good pay? [/QUOTE]

no, which is why I've decided to get an RN

My marriage is on the fritz and I'm not sure if we are going to work things out. If we do separate, my plan is to work weekend shifts while my kids can be with their dad, and then continue to be with my kids full time during the week. I would like my kids to be able to continue to homeschool for as long as they choose to (they love homeschooling and don't want to go to school) and nursing seems like the best bet to make that happen. Besides the wide range of hours and decent pay, there is also a ton of job security. There really isn't another degree that you can get and KNOW that you will have a job the minute you finish. You won't have to write a resume, just show up at any hospital with your nursing license and scrubs!

[pfamilygal]

I'm an RN in Texas, but I've also worked in Virginia as an RN.

With 6 yrs experience under my belt I make about $27 an hour, plus differentials. I work in the ER. I have worked Baylor type shifts in the past, but now I work one day during the week and every other weekend. Normally I work 12 hr shifts but now I work 8 hrs, due to pregnancy. Nursing is extremely flexible and I really enjoy it.

I have a BSN. I went directly to college out of high school and didn't know there were other options. I do not make any more money for having a BSN, but I can go into management or grad school if I want to at some point.

[LDSmomma6]

My DH is an RN (11+ yrs). The hospital he was at before this one, did away with the Baylor plan. According the hospital, hospitals were doing away with Baylor plans because it saves money having the nurses work 3-5 days a week instead of the 2. I don't know, that's what they told him. DH works in Texas too. He was making $30/hr plus differentials as well. We were doing good. Then we move to Hell Hole, and he took a huge pay cut because he wanted to get back where we are at, and it'll take him another 6 yrs to get him back to where we were. It totally sucks! The hospital he is at now doesn't do the Baylor plan either, but they do have the Fri-Sun weekend shift, and they do get paid a little more, then the shift that DH has (works 3- 12/hr shifts M-Th, but only 3 days of the 4). He can now work overtime, and they do call him in a lot. Just an hour ago, they called him to see if he would come in at 3p-7a! I told him he might as well, but I understand how he doesn't want to because that's 16 hr NIGHT!

Getting back to the question though...the 2 RN's that I knew who did the Baylor plan loved it because then they could be with their kids all week, and daddy with them on the weekend.

[Mamax3]

I've been an RN for 13 years. I love being a nurse, went to college right out of high school and got my nursing degree. I worked for 4 years before I even met DH.

It is a wonderful career as far as flexibility. I've also never heard them called "Baylor Shifts". We call them "Weekend Alternative" and the nurses who I work with that do that, LOVE IT! I work only on Sundays per diem, so that I can keep my skills up, but still be home for my kids.

[chapulina]

I've been a nurse for 16 years, was drawn into nursing for the ideal of caring for people, interested in diseases, medicines, etc. I love the career of nursing and all it can offer.

I would not encourage anyone to get anything less than an ADN to enter nursing, and with an ADN, make it a goal to obtain your baccalaureate within a reasonable amount of time. My hospital (and others) do pay more for the BSN, and it will eventually (?) become the standard for entry level nurses. At least it is being pushed for.

Not familiar with "Baylor" shifts, though all hospitals offer flex. scheduling, including wknds. and off shifts. I myself work 2 12 hr night shifts on Fri. and Sat., get paid for 24 hrs. and receive part-time benefits, which include reduced-rate health insurance, etc. I don't know exactly how much I make an hour (without checking my stub), but I know it is just a few dollars shy of $50.

Nursing (clinical nursing, that is) is a very demanding and high-stress job, and I have noticed that often persons who come into it for the benefit side of it only, leave into another side area of nursing or health care within a few years. The reality of working in such close contact of the suffering of the human body is not for everyone. If you go into a non-clinical area of nursing, you lose the flex scheduling part of it. (typically)

[Mamax3]

Originally Posted by chapulina

Nursing (clinical nursing, that is) is a very demanding and high-stress job, and I have noticed that often persons who come into it for the benefit side of it only, leave into another side area of nursing or health care within a few years. The reality of working in such close contact of the suffering of the human body is not for everyone. If you go into a non-clinical area of nursing, you lose the flex scheduling part of it. (typically)

I agree with the above. I became a nurse because I wanted to nurse the sick. I like the nurturing side of caring for the sick.

I get a bad taste in my mouth when I hear about people wanting to be a nurse for the benefits (money, flexibility, etc) any reason other than the genuine desire to care for the sick. In my experience though, most are weeded out in nursing school, and like the above quote don't remain in the field for very long.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by Mamax3

I agree with the above. I became a nurse because I wanted to nurse the sick. I like the nurturing side of caring for the sick.

I get a bad taste in my mouth when I hear about people wanting to be a nurse for the benefits (money, flexibility, etc) any reason other than the genuine desire to care for the sick. In my experience though, most are weeded out in nursing school, and like the above quote don't remain in the field for very long.

I would agree with what you are saying, except for my sister's experience. She went into it for the flexibility and pay and is a very good nurse and manages to stay above the fray of pettiness and bad humor. So maybe all nurses that go into it for the wrong reasons are not bad. Just a thought.

[white_feather]

I agree Mamax3. And even those of us who DO go into nursing for more than the benefits, can burn out. Staff nursing can be one of the most difficult jobs - mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That's WHY the pay is good.

[canuckgal]

Unschooler/another RN here

I have been an RN for 14 years now, started right out of high school, went to a 3 year hospital based training program and graduated with a diploma. I am here in Canada so the work environment is WAY different and the scheduling too, as nursing is unionized here (no choice in the matter either). Genereally provincial union contracts are pretty specific as to how a rotation/schedule can be set up...saying a full time rotation must have X number of weekends, with a certain minimum amount of time off between, etc, so things like Baylor shifts would be almost unheard of. Also, employers (hospital ones) tend to hire 12 hour shifts, and also you must work days/nights...no working just one shift. The rotating is just killing me after all these years. With my kids ages and wanting to homeschool and thinking of getting out of nursing to be a massage therapist eventually it would not be worth it to me to go to get a BSN.

One thing that frustrates me too is that there are very little full time jobs/permanent jobs, at least here in my area in Manitoba right now. I am in a combined surgery and obstetrics unit, work a half time position covering a maternity leave, which ends in July. Because of seniority and the contract, I have even lost permanent positons to RNs with just 2 years experience, despite me being VERY experienced in OBS, because they have worked more hours than me (I just started here 8 mo ago) We only have 3 full timers, and the rest are all part time. I am faced with being casual/per diem and having to work at 3-4 different hospitals to hopefully get the hours I am now, some of these hospitals in my region are almost an hours drive away. All these shifts would be last minute phone calls (not good with homeschooling/babysitting...MIL does babysitting maybe 6-8 days a month and can't do more), the vacation time goes to the part timers first, again because the contract says so : The seven casuals we have had THREE shifts between them last month!

My last job was in (very) northern Canada and due to isolation the casuals were treated way different, they got the vacations, etc, Dh was in a 4 on 4 off job and I worked around him, between the 2 of us we homeschooled, and life was great. Guess what, we moved here when he lost his job so he could go to NURSING SCHOOL! hee hee, how ironic. (paramedic is another option) Overall, for homeschooling if you can get a job that you and your partner can work around each other, then homeschooling can work. We unschool, so homeschooling for us is not a stressful lets-keep-up-wtih-this-curricualum prospect anyway so that helps. THis is my first time ever having to find child care (my kids are 6 and 3) for purposes of work, and typically people don't want to babysit the crazy hours a shiftworker needs. Just this weekend for example, MIL will have to babysit 11 am to 11pm. Dh and I try to work around each other but it is a struggle. School is all up in the air for him, we believe so strongly in homeschooling but are struggling to establish how we are going to make this work, especially if I find no permanent work soon.

Oh and I totally agree with the previous posters who say you cannot just go into the nursing for just the benefits/money/flexable schedule. Believe me shiftwork is brutal and there is enough sadness/grossness/politics/staffing vs.patient acuity-level of sickness problems that you will burn out even more quickly. You could go into something like plumbing or welding and make even more per hour (at least here)

And also, don't become a nurse in Canada...benefits/wage wise/job security wise, you guys have it so much better!

Tina

[Mamax3]

Originally Posted by white_feather

I agree Mamax3. And even those of us who DO go into nursing for more than the benefits, can burn out. Staff nursing can be one of the most difficult jobs - mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That's WHY the pay is good.

EXACTLY!!!!!!

You really have to love it or be drawn to it for more than the benefits to stick with it as a profession.

[Mamax3]

Wow Tina!

We could really use you in the states, we have a shortage of good nurses here and if you have a lisense you can pretty much work as much or as little as you would like!

[marilynmama]

I am a hs'ing mom and am in nursing school (BSN). Around here there are Baylor shifts, part time, nights, whatever. It just depends on the hospital. You can also work as a nurse extern after your first year.

If I were you I would look into ALL of the nursing programs in your area and find out what they each require, how competitive the application process is, etc Where I live the programs are VERY competitive. One of the BSN school's had over 1,000 applicants for 200 spots!! Don't let the private schools scare you off with their high tuition rates, my friend attends one of those and she pays nothing because there is so much financial aid and scholarships available to the nursing students.

Look up the NCLEX pass rates for each school....they were vary widely. You should be able to find out the NCLEX pass rates by looking up your state Board of Nursing online I chose the program I am in now (it's a BSN program which I wanted--I plan to go to PA school later on) because it has the very best NCLEX pass rate and is a small program (only 80 students admited per year), the nurses come out extrememly well prepared--I hear that all the time and that was important to me. I spent some time researching all the nursing programs in my area before applying. If you get your ADN yoru hospital will pay for you to get your BSN (I think BSN should be the nursing standard).

I choose nursing for *many* reasons.

Good luck.

[Brisen]

canuckgal -- I was going to say the same as a pp poster did, about you working in the US. You've posted about your situation here before, IIRC, and isn't your dh in school? To be an RN as well, or am I mixed up? I have a friend who went to school in Canada to be an RN and is working in the US now, and is very happy with it, as well as well-paid. I, personally, wouldn't be crazy about leaving Canada (my dh had thought in the past about going to the US to be a teacher, of all things), but it wouldn't even have to be permanent. My SIL worked in Florida as an MRI technician (I think) for a few years, and has been working in Alberta since then.

[Galatea]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

I have been considering nursing school for awhile but never actually do anything about it. I think that means I really don't want to do it. I like science, I like people, I like shift work, heck, I like making money, but something always stops me. I think maybe it is that I need to feel like people think I am smart. (Yes, that may be childish, but we all need to confront our selves.) And I would bet that being a nurse doesn't offer a lot of respect from people at large. I do not mean this as an insult, b/c I only deal with nurses in my own life - nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, etc., and prefer them over doctors in every way. I respect you. But do the people you see every day respect your intellect/skills/authority?

Maybe this is not my problem. I don't know. But seeing so many of you say that you need to feel the calling to make it, well then, maybe it is not for me. I have to think on it some more.

I think I may be the most prolific "what am I going to do for a job?" poster here on MDC.