Is nursing the way to go?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am a pre-nursing student and with the economy in a rut like this I'm just wondering if nursing is the route to go. I am in kind of a different situation because I graduated with a B.S. in human biology and I'm looking to go back to school for nursing, either through the ADN, ABSN, or ELMSN route (I'm really hoping for either the ABSN or ELMSN). So you see, if I go for the ABSN or the ELMSN route I'll be paying a lot to go to school and I'm worried that I'll be stuck with a bunch of loans and no job. The most difficult thing is that I'm passionate about nursing and I can't imagine myself in any other career.

Specializes in acute care.

If you cannot imagine yourself in any other career, then pursue Nursing. Just be prepared that the economy may or may not get better by the time you graduate.

Now is the time to start asking yourself, what are you willing to do to work as a nurse. Are you willing to relocate if the job market is bad in your area? Are you willing to work in an LTC, doctor office, etc until you are able to get employment at a hospital?

It's like with any other major, you take chances or whether or not you will be able to find employment upon graduation.

If it's your passion then go for nursing and don't look back. Pay no regard to the economy because our nation is in so much debt and financial trouble that you won't be able to avoid it.

Specializes in None.

No one can tell you what the economy will be like when you graduate. I'll graduate in 2 years with an ADN and I'm nervous expecially since we live in a small town, BUT I have no idea what the economy is going to be like. Like the pp's said, you have to decide where you want to work and where you're willing to work until more things open up. I have weighed my decision over and over again and decided to stick with it because nursing is something I really feel passionate about.

I also have 2 previous degrees and am taking on more student loan debt, but really to me the pros outweigh the cons.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Ugh, so many of these same threads popping up. The truth is, NONE of us know! We don't have a crystal ball either! There aren't a whole lot of other careers doing any better than nursing. But the truth is, this is a risk you will have to take, just like any other risk. We don't have additional factors for you to weigh in. If you are wanting people to tell you to go for it, you will find people here to do that. If you are wanting to find people to warn you off it, you will find people here to do that too.

Nobody knows. Weigh in your feelings, then look at worst and best case scenarios and decide which kind of chance you are going to take. One one hand, you have a career you feel passionate about that may leave you broke and devastated financially. On the other hand you have a safe route that may let you make a better living but leave you devastated emotionally. There is no way anyone else can tell you what to do here. Look it all over and then just decide. It is what it is. Best of luck.

If you truly are passionate, go for it. Regardless you will be able to find a job if you are good at your profession. There might be no demand now, but with all the people retiring over the next few years there could be a huge job demand by the time you graduate. I guess you also need to consider that, if this is what your calling is, are you willing to relocate after school to find a job. The difference is, are you going into nursing because of the wages, or do you feel passionate about helping people? If nursing is for you, you will be able to find a job when you graduate. (it may not be easy, but..)

If you're passionate about nursing and can't see yourself in another career, then this really is a no brainer. Yeah sure, the economy is bad...what else is new right? Honestly, what career do you know of right now where people are graduating college and finding work with no problem? I can't think of one. Most people are worried right now, but if nursing is what you want to do, then do it!

I just started my ABSN program and I'm not worried about finding a job when I graduate in 15 months. I know that 6 of the students who just graduated from my program had jobs, and at least 7 other students had interviews. Not to mention that the 6 students who had jobs were hired at magnet hospitals!

I live in SoCal, and I'm not sure where you live, but you may need to be flexible and consider relocating. Also, don't get caught up in everyone else's hype about the bad economy. Yes, it's true that a lot of new grads aren't finding jobs BUT, it's also true that a lot are.

I think you should be conscientious about the cost of school. A lot of for profit tutions are just ridiculous. My ABSN program which is 15 months, including the cost of living loans will total about 35K. Living is SoCal, paying that off when I get a job won't kill me. However, if you live in a smaller city and are about to pay 75k for your program, you may want to consider a different route to getting your RN, or a different school. Also, apply for scholarships!

Good luck!

Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.

You sound like you know what you want to do, but just want somebody to push you over the edge a bit. I think you should find a program that will get you your license in a reasonable amount of time and for a reasonable cost. In my neck of the woods, starting salaries for new nurses are between 40 and 50 grand per year so running up large student loans doesn't make much sense to me if you will never be able to pay them off. Getting an advanced degree may help you in the long run, but starting out you will still be a wet behind the ears new nurse competing with people who may have more practical experience then you with only a 2 year degree or diploma. It's tough, but as others have said, its bad all over. At least with a nursing license, you will eventually find something to start and then things will improve over time and you will gain experience. Good Luck.

+ Add a Comment