Career Change Advice

Hi there,

I found this forum looking up info about changing careers into Nursing.

Just some background. I'm a 30 year old male residing in Los Angeles working as a vfx artist in the hollywood film industry. While it's a great industry to work in for young people who want to move around the world, I'm becoming more mature and wanted to look at more stable careers. I enjoy helping people and was curious about nursing.

How is the nursing industry right now?
I know things are unstable in general but what about nursing?
How many months/years have your worked at your current job?
How much time do you work a week? How much OT? What about paid time off?
Is it okay to ask what the general salary is for an RN?
I was considering attending a community college. Is this recommended? Any caveats?
What community college do you recommend I look into?
I graduated with a computer science degree. Are there nursing technician jobs that can utilize those skills?

Thanks!
noob33
Quote from Noob33How is the nursing industry right now? I know things are unstable in general but what about nursing? How many months/years have your worked at your current job?How much time do you work a week? How much OT? What about paid time off?Is it okay to ask what the general salary is for an RN?I was considering attending a community college. Is this recommended? Any caveats? What community college do you recommend I look into?I graduated with a computer science degree. Are there nursing technician jobs that can utilize those skills?Thanks!noob33
How is the nursing industry right now? The nursing industry is somewhat depressed d/t the overall economy. Hospitals are hiring nurses.... but they must have at least 1 year of experience. Overall nursing is a stable field to be in though.I know things are unstable in general but what about nursing? Nursing as a general rule is pretty stable.How many months/years have your worked at your current job?3 years at my primary job, 1 1/2 years at my secondary and 4 years at my agency(strictly as needed...1 shift every couple months).How much time do you work a week? How much OT? What about paid time off?36-60 hours. I can work as much OT as I want. Since I only have 6 years experience it pays for me to cover my own health insurance and take the PRN pay rate which is around $30/hr. Since I am PRN (even though I work full time) I currently don't get PTO.Is it okay to ask what the general salary is for an RN?Varies from region to region. California is one of the higher paying states... Missouri starts RNs off at 18/hr.... But cost of living is quite reasonable, and if you play the system right, you can make 27+/hr after 1 year experience in missouri. Salary for masters level nurses can easily hit six figures. CRNAs which is a masters in nursing easily gross 250k a year.I was considering attending a community college. Is this recommended? Any caveats?My father got his RN from a community college. However I believe you would be better off going a fast track since you already have your bs degree. You would have a duel bachelors and nursing all rolled into one! I graduated with a computer science degree. Are there nursing technician jobs that can utilize those skills?Sure there are. Most hospitals are going to computer charting. As such they need someone to tweak their electronic medical records and computer imputs. Our technition is a Nurse with a computer background.
I agree with the previous posts, with one exception. Low $30s/hr seems low to me for a starting salary for an RN in the LA area, at least for hospital jobs. I started as a new RN in the SF Bay Area 2.5 years ago, and I started in the low $40s/hr. I know the Bay Area is one of the highest paid areas, but I was under the impression that the LA Area is similar? If you can GET a job, that is.I also agree with the advice to consider accelerated BSN programs if you already have a bachelors degree in another field. I went that route and am glad I did -- many hospitals prefer BSN RNs, and there are some types of nursing where BSN is required -- this includes public health nursing, which is what I'm doing now.Good luck!
Quote from noahsmamaI know the Bay Area is one of the highest paid areas, but I was under the impression that the LA Area is similar?
Look on the employment websites for the LA area and you will see RN jobs listed, but not many and those that are listed either want a ton of experience or are otherwise not the greatest of opportunities. One thing the OP has going for himself is being male. In some instances, that can be a helping factor when competing for a job.
Quote from TheCommuterSouthern California and the greater Los Angeles area have offered significantly lower RN pay rates than the SF Bay area for quite a long time. Even parts of the Central Valley pay more competitively than Los Angeles.