Hello!

I am a 26 year old photographer (with a BFA in Photography - also finding out this degree is not going to help me at all!) and am 95% sure of going back to school to be a nurse. Don't fret! Even though I am an artist I was very good at math and science classes in high school. In fact, almost went to school for science to begin with!

I have been looking into local community colleges 4 year colleges to see what type of programs are available. Quickly finding out that my BFA is pretty much useless in transferring credits - I might have to start all over. I am completely okay with this. Long story short I am trying to get information that is not available on college websites as to "what really happens after college". I do not want to dive into this without having a much better understanding of being a nurse.

SO I googled for nurse forums and I love how informative your forum is! A lot of my questions have already been answered! But I have a couple that I really hope to be answered!

1) What are the chances of getting a job straight out of a ADN degree and if so does anyone have any idea what a starting salary is?

2) I hear that attaining an ADN is great because you can start working but you are limited to certain jobs and most jobs require a BSN. Is this true? Also can you get certifications after an ADN degree or do they only apply to BSN degree holders? (getting confused doing the research)

3) I have always wanted to live and work in California. I am interested to know if after awhile and I'm done with my degrees and such. Does California have extra hoops (certifications, etc.) that need to be passed if I decide to move? (I'm talking after graduation and work experience)

I apologize in advance for the long opening thread! However I just want to be really sure. I love helping people out and I practice a healthy lifestyle to begin with. The more I read about nursing the more it makes so much sense to me!

I would love the thoughts!

Best,
Yun

Welcome Yun to NV. Sorry but I can't help you with your questions(Australia), I'm sure people will see them here. Otherwise try reposting similar questions in the student section of the forum.

__________________
'Think not of yourself as the architect of your career but as the sculptor. Expect to have to do a lot of hard hammering and chiselingand scraping and polishing. - BC Forbes'

Thank you for the welcome PJ! I do hope that some of these questions can be answered

I live next door to PJ so I'm not much use to you either.

But welcome

Welcome Yun

I think i can answer some of your questions hopefully.

Yes you can get a job easy straight after getting your ADN. Now the pay is different depending on what you are looking to go into. I think it starts out pretty much from 19 to 23 dollars depending on where you go to work.
As for as are certain jobs limited to adn well the only one I have noticed is some places in managment they want you to have a bsn instead of adn but i have been charge nurse and manager with ADN and make pretty good pay.

You can always go back after you ADN for BSN through lots of programs that take you only so many months.

As far as californa needing special additional certification not that I know of. I think you have to do extra paperwork after you become a nurse to get licenses in other states but I don't think you have to take any other test or your nursing test again. I hope this helps you out. Any other questions feel free to ask.

I am glad I went into the nursing field and I still only have my ADN. Good luck to whatever you choose.

Thank you very much for all of your help! I'm applying this week for school!