Will the job market for new RN grads in CA ever get better by 2015-2017?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

You are very smart in rethinking healthcare. I believe options for nurses, especially new nurses will not improve. The country is literally flooded with nurses new and old. You can bet that those who have been forced into "other" employment due to the economy will jump right back in if the economy improves for healthcare, having been robbed of their chance. I'm talking nurses from 2007 thru this current day. Lots of nurses!

Will the economy improve for nurses? I don't believe so. Everybody and everything is working to reduce costs. Nurses on staff means lots of money going out.

You say you will have to gain employment ASAP to pay your bills and loans. I would not expect nursing to ensure that at all right now.

Matter of fact, I'd try to find work elsewhere first, full time. Get that job down good, then if you still want to try nursing, I'd go at it slowly and pay cash for each prereq class you take. This way you can have some control. Do office work or something, get your health benefits and regular bills taken care of, use your extra for paying for your classes, take them at night or online.

This IMEO (in my expert opinion) is the only smart way to go right now.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

:::looking for the magic 8 ball icon:::

ask again later...

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

It's impossible to tell what the job market will be like when you graduate. Three years ago they were saying the job market would get better in three years...and it hasn't really happened yet. Maybe it will be better; maybe it won't.

If you decide to pursue nursing, it--like lots of things in life--will have to be a chance that you take. You'd need to weigh the benefits of being a nurse (including your desire) versus the risks.

yuzzamatuzz · Jan 6, 2012

I don't think anyone really will be able to predict that. You have to also consider that most non-nursing jobs will have a bad market too if nursing does. I don't know of any careers right now that guarantee you a job right after graduation. If you choose your future profession off of current job market availability you are playing a game that may leave you very unhappy. My recommendation is to do what you want to do, if you really want to be a nurse then the job market won't stop you.

karamarie91 · Jan 6, 2012

I sometimes worry about the same thing too as I wait to be accepted into a nursing school. You really have to be in for the love of nursing as your patience and endurance may be tested heavily when you're out there looking for work. I want the nursing market to get better, but if it doesn't I will not let that stop me.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 9, 2012

Moved to the CA state forum

jojonavy · Jan 9, 2012

Looking at the economic trends, it most likely will improve by 2015-2017, but to what extent is completely unknown. I also disagree that the down turn of nursing opportunities began sometime in 2009, as opposed to someone saying it was 2007.

If you decide to pursue nursing and live in the bay area, you might want to consider moving out of the area when you graduate if jobs are still scarce. This is a common trend, to get the experience and move back to the bay.

I also agree with the someone stating that if nursing is still hard-up at the time then it would still be harder to find a job doing something else, because nursing still remains one of the lowest rates of unemployment.