₦airaland Forum

Good day everyone, this thread will be used to document the stories and excapades surrounding this new phase in my life. As the name implies, I am now a travel nurse which means I go to different cities on a contract with the hospitals for a period of time to work. Follow me on this journey and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @obinetter

What made me choose travel nursing?


Some might say money, and they won't be wrong. But like anything else in my life, each big decision I make has to be backed by two solid logical rationales.

I graduated as a nurse with my associates degree in nursing in 2022 and since then, I have used my nursing degree A LOT!

The associates degree in nursing, in my opinion, is the fastest ticket to financial freedom in the USA. Let me explain further... Due to staffing shortages nationwide, nurses are always in high demand and owing to that fact, the wages are somewhat consistent. So once you graduate as a nurse with an associates degree, you could get a hospital job that starts you off making $35/hour and in my case, since I was working niight shift, I got $4 more and when I worked weekends $2 extra which is a total of $39/hr everyday and $41 on weekends.

The associates degree is a 2 year degree which is gotten from community colleges, (somewhat identical to Polytechnic education in Nigeria) but contrary to popular opinion, the associates degree in nursing has a sleeper build 😉. I say this because the hospital I worked at would start everyone on the same wages, so even I who had my associates degree, was getting paid the same as someone who had their master's degree in nursing.

When I moved from Nigeria 9years ago, I attempted, to no avail to send my transcripts from Imo state University (IMSU) and Imo state University teaching hospital (IMSUTH) to the USA so I could have my college dream continued here. After two years of trying, I decided to ditch it all and start afresh to chase a career in nursing.

So yeah, here I was, in a new country. Starting afresh! It took me two years to realize continuing my education via my transcripts was a no go area. Armed with that realization and the resolve to succeed, I enrolled at the community college closest to me Prairie state college, Chicago heights, Illinois. Mind you, none of my transcripts were accepted, all my GSTs, English, Maths, none were accepted. I had my WASSCE results evaluated by WES and had it transferred to the school.

But with community colleges, I had to take a placement test which would determine the classes I could register for. The Maths placement test was called aleks which involved algebra and high school maths while the english placement test involved comprehension and writing.

Thus began my journey. I took the placement tests and began school. I'm not gonna bore you with the details but I eventually finished my prerequisites without taking any student loans; I did this by working with UPS who at that time, had a program for that.

I got my CNA license, started wiping ass for a living. I worked the midday shift 2pm - 10pm. Then I'd go to UPS Chicago area consolidation Hub (cach) for night shift, 11pm - 4am. Mind you, between both jobs, my drive time was like 45 mins. I used to be so tired and sleepy and it was only by God's grace I didn't crash my car multiple times.

I finished my prerequisites in 2 years, applied for the nursing program and finally got in.

Guys, let us try to get along this time. The other thread was a hot mess of arguments and insults.

Where all my fans dey?? Come Mark attendance

Here !

we dey here

We here my bro

Frank Frank !!!

I am so happy you are back.

I graduated yesterday from nursing school in Texas. Your old thread was one of the motivation for me.

Looking forward to more exciting gists from you.
Thank you for coming back to nairaland...

FrankNetter:
Where all my fans dey?? Come Mark attendance

We are back o 😂

FrankNetter:
Good day everyone, this thread will be used to document the stories and excapades surrounding this new phase in my life. As the name implies, I am now a travel nurse which means I go to different cities on a contract with the hospitals for a period of time to work. Follow me on this journey and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @obinetter

Congratulations to you on ur job.

Help me find out.

If one comes to USA with an Masters degree in Nursing from Nigeria, does that make one a Nurse Practitioner in USA?

If No, how does one become one with a foreign MSC in Nursing do that.

NiceLegs:
Congratulations to you on ur job.

Help me find out.

If one comes to USA with an Masters degree in Nursing from Nigeria, does that make one a Nurse Practitioner in USA?

If No, how does one become one with a foreign MSC in Nursing do that.

No, it doesn't make you a nurse practitioner. That's a different specialized pathway. You would just be a foreign trained nurse with a master's degree AFTER you pass the board exams (NCLEX).

FrankNetter:
No, it doesn't make you a nurse practitioner. That's a different specialized pathway. You would just be a foreign trained nurse with a master's degree AFTER you pass the board exams (NCLEX).

Okay

Thanks.

FrankNetter:
What made me choose travel nursing?


Some might say money, and they won't be wrong. But like anything else in my life, each big decision I make has to be backed by two solid logical rationales.

I graduated as a nurse with my associates degree in nursing in 2022 and since then, I have used my nursing degree A LOT!

The associates degree in nursing, in my opinion, is the fastest ticket to financial freedom in the USA. Let me explain further... Due to staffing shortages nationwide, nurses are always in high demand and owing to that fact, the wages are somewhat consistent. So once you graduate as a nurse with an associates degree, you could get a hospital job that starts you off making $35/hour and in my case, since I was working niight shift, I got $4 more and when I worked weekends $2 extra which is a total of $39/hr everyday and $41 on weekends.

The associates degree is a 2 year degree which is gotten from community colleges, (somewhat identical to Polytechnic education in Nigeria) but contrary to popular opinion, the associates degree in nursing has a sleeper build 😉. I say this because the hospital I worked at would start everyone on the same wages, so even I who had my associates degree, was getting paid the same as someone who had their master's degree in nursing.

When I moved from Nigeria 9years ago, I attempted, to no avail to send my transcripts from Imo state University (IMSU) and Imo state University teaching hospital (IMSUTH) to the USA so I could have my college dream continued here. After two years of trying, I decided to ditch it all and start afresh to chase a career in nursing.

This is nice. I would be following for regular updates.

COMRADES, I no fit read am all, what do you understand? Kindly educate us

Congratulations to you.

Please post all threads in the right section, and don't derail threads by posting off topic.

FrankNetter:
No, it doesn't make you a nurse practitioner. That's a different specialized pathway. You would just be a foreign trained nurse with a master's degree AFTER you pass the board exams (NCLEX).

is the pay different? foreign trained and America trained. who earns higher?
another question, what is the difference between LPN, ADN, and BSN? who earns higher?
if you upgrade your degree from associate to BSN, do you earn more?
does Associate Nurses get Green card sponsorships?

Travel nurses, Dental, Pediatrics and Anesthetic nurses, rate their wages.

Wahalla I can only go for vacation overseas work is never appealing to me but nevertheless best of luck to you.

FrankNetter:
What made me choose travel nursing?


Some might say money, and they won't be wrong. But like anything else in my life, each big decision I make has to be backed by two solid logical rationales.

I graduated as a nurse with my associates degree in nursing in 2022 and since then, I have used my nursing degree A LOT!

The associates degree in nursing, in my opinion, is the fastest ticket to financial freedom in the USA. Let me explain further... Due to staffing shortages nationwide, nurses are always in high demand and owing to that fact, the wages are somewhat consistent. So once you graduate as a nurse with an associates degree, you could get a hospital job that starts you off making $35/hour and in my case, since I was working niight shift, I got $4 more and when I worked weekends $2 extra which is a total of $39/hr everyday and $41 on weekends.

The associates degree is a 2 year degree which is gotten from community colleges, (somewhat identical to Polytechnic education in Nigeria) but contrary to popular opinion, the associates degree in nursing has a sleeper build 😉. I say this because the hospital I worked at would start everyone on the same wages, so even I who had my associates degree, was getting paid the same as someone who had their master's degree in nursing.

When I moved from Nigeria 9years ago, I attempted, to no avail to send my transcripts from Imo state University (IMSU) and Imo state University teaching hospital (IMSUTH) to the USA so I could have my college dream continued here. After two years of trying, I decided to ditch it all and start afresh to chase a career in nursing.

Following , I expect this to be an interesting and rewarding thread

This is a good thread.

Congratulations 🥳👏 to you on the journey so far.

Amazing thread already, I am following keenly. congratulations!! on your journey.

Amazing @ Op oooooooooooooooooooooooooo, you have done well for yourself 😀

My wife is a nurse to be. PlS how can she get job oversee from naija?

We re here for you. Bring it on..we re waiting for you

It's like Seun gave his mods query recently.

Been seeing some quality threads of late.

Menh, I've been following your thread since 2016
So happy for you

flexyrule:
It's like Seun gave his mods query recently.

Been seeing some quality threads of late.

Walahi.. Really educative threads of late.. This reminds me of the late Nairaland of old before all these disrespectful gen-z kids reeking of so much hate and bigotry took over the show because of politics.

Cc: Seun, I understand the need for engagements most times irrespective of the quality.. However, please more of these educative threads on front page at least to balance the political bitterness threads..

yummy001:
Walahi.. Really educative threads of late.. This reminds me of the late Nairaland of old before all these disrespectful gen-z kids reeking of so much hate and bigotry took over the show because of politics.

Cc: Seun, I understand the need for engagements most times irrespective of the quality.. However, please more of these educative threads on front page at least to balance the political bitterness threads..

The bigotry is promoted by full-fledged adults, not Gen-Zs. When did Nigerian Gen-Zs gain easy access to the Internet? Was it Gen-Zs that promoted tribal bigotry in 2015? There are monikers that have been promoting tribal bigotry as far back as 2010, and those were not Gen-Zs. You people should take it easy with the Gen-Zs blame. They met Nigeria the way it is. They did not cause Nigeria's problems.

The tribal bigory on this site and elsewhere on Nigerian Internet space is heavily promoted by adults in their mid-30s to early 40s. Yes, you read that right. 40-year-olds are the people promoting tribal bigotry on Nairaland.

Nice thread. I would follow as I know many nurses who I believe ought to work in the only country with the highest economic opportunities for Black skilled professionals.

cc: IbeOkehie

Congratulations. This is a nice thread. I am interested in the story 😊

FrankNetter:
Good day everyone, this thread will be used to document the stories and excapades surrounding this new phase in my life. As the name implies, I am now a travel nurse which means I go to different cities on a contract with the hospitals for a period of time to work. Follow me on this journey and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @obinetter

I have MSc which pathway is best suited for to travel to the US