So, "why do you REALLY want to be a nurse?"

fmrnicumom · Oct 1, 2007

The schools around here have said that the largest factor in the shortage of seats is due to lack of nursing faculty. Part of it is that some schools don't have enough funds to pay more faculty, part of it is that there is a shortage of nursing faculty. Another part of it is a lack of clinical sites. There are only so many places to put nursing students.

It's frustrating, but I understand. There is only so much they can do. I have been on a few waitlists for quite some time, and I finally decided to just go for the BSN now, even though it will cost more money. By the time I am able to start at one of the other schools, I'd actually finish later with my ADN than I anticipate finishing my BSN.

Tiffany

sunnyjohn · Oct 1, 2007

...What do you think has caused this sudden impossibility in the last few years to get a seat in nursing schools?

1. In a relatively short period of time you can train in a professional, well -respected career.

2. The Direct-entry MN/MSN and Accelerated BSN programs have made nursing education attractive to people with other degrees who did not see nursing as a scholarly option. Professional nursing organizations and schools of nursing have also done a good job of presenting the bedside/clinical, research and scientific aspects of the nursing profession.

3. Nursing provides a great opportunity for a chance at a career that truely helps people and makes a difference.

4. The news of an explosion in healthcare has reached many people looking for a new job. the media has done a decent job of selling it. Healthcare, allied health and nursing are almost seen as "lay-off/ recession proof."

5. Nursing is attracting many career-changers.

6. You can make a fairly decent living as a nurse.

7. If you are flexible an RN degree can make you very marketable.

8. Fewer Nursing professors and clinical faculty mean fewer spots for students and impacted programs.

Music in My Heart · Oct 1, 2007

.....

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2007

I think that the ethics and values of many of the young people today are shaped by what they hear and see in the media and those are not reality. It will come back to bite them. People going into nursing for the money aren't going to last very long. If they have a lazy work ethic they won't last long either. I was talking with one of my SILs the other day about a niece who went to her first job telling the boss, telling him, that she had to have a vacation in the next week. She argued with him about it and was fired. She couldn't understand why. Another is applying to pharmacy school and rather than follow the directions for the essay on why he wanted to be a pharmacist, he drew up an elaborate resume and was asking us to review it. Child, can you read directions? His reply was that the resume told a better story about himself and he was insistent on sending it rather than the essay. Fine. kiss pharmacy school goodbye and thank you for the laugh of the day from the admission committee. This is the image I'm getting of some of today's young people. They're making up their own rules as they go and not listening to what is out there for them to learn.

Nursing for me has always been a spiritual thing. I have always had a need to do for people first rather than for myself. If I were lying dying and someone needed help I'd probably crawl to them to help them out. That's something that is a value within oneself. I don't know where it came from.

I don't know why nursing schools don't screen their candidates more for their values, virtues and ethics rather than placing a more important emphasis on their GPAs. Of course, a stupid candidate isn't going to tell an interviewer, "I want to be a nurse because I can make $75,000 a year." But, you have to wonder with all the candidates who want to get into nursing school why so many of them seem to be in it for the money or don't want the patient interaction. I swear, if I were an educator and I heard a student saying things like that, they'd be in my office and put on double secret probation and I'd be personally overseeing their nursing education and attitude adjustment. These people are taking up a valuable place in their nursing programs that someone who has a much better attitude deserves to have.

sunnyjohn · Oct 1, 2007

I don't believe in the whole "calling" thing, but you should at least not be afraid of sick people and have a desire to work with them. If you are a bit shy, that's one thing, but if you just don't like people, no.

Some of the sights and sounds in nursing can NEVER be compensated for.

LadyEJ BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2007

To get into CRNA school.

MikeyJ, RN · Oct 2, 2007

You know what? I don't even remember what prompted me to head for a career in nursing. I was pursuing a biology/pre-med degree when I decided it wasn't for me. I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field, but wasn't sure what to pursue. I decided to go for my radiology tech degree, but the program director would never return my phone calls and I became very irritated. I remember walking by the nursing building on my universities campus and walked inside and spoke with a nursing advisor. Before I knew it I was enrolled in pre-req's and now I am almost half-way through my nursing program! :)

I know I made the right choice and I am absolutely LOVING this journey.

Tsaiko · Oct 2, 2007

I don't believe in the whole "calling" thing, but you should at least not be afraid of sick people and have a desire to work with them. If you are a bit shy, that's one thing, but if you just don't like people, no.
Some of the sights and sounds in nursing can NEVER be compensated for.

yes i agree with the sights and sounds bit, my first time in the operating room was exhilirating...i enjoyed the experience. however, since Nursing started out as a vocation rather than a profession, i think the "calling" will still play a big part.

It can be a tough job at times and not everyone is suited for the critical situations that we Nurses may handle. Thanks to the training though, i find myself coping with syringes a lot easier.:monkeydance: hehe

future L&Dnurse · Oct 2, 2007

The schools around here have said that the largest factor in the shortage of seats is due to lack of nursing faculty. Part of it is that some schools don't have enough funds to pay more faculty, part of it is that there is a shortage of nursing faculty. Another part of it is a lack of clinical sites. There are only so many places to put nursing students.

This is the reason I have heard as well. I am sure that the increases in pay for nurses and the well-known nursing shortage also play a role, but I tend to believe that if someone goes into nursing ONLY for the money, they'll get out of nursing pretty fast. The income is nice, but it is far from easy money. Any of us who have done so much as one day of clinicals knows that, I'm sure! :)

smk1, LPN · Oct 2, 2007

I enjoy biology, working with people, technical skills, problem solving, the flexibility to do different things with the degree, the flexibility in the types of schedules worked, relative job security, pretty decent pay in my area, and I like the opportunities for advancement.

kmn360 · Oct 2, 2007

I think there is quite a mix of people wanting to be in nursing for various reasons. I for one have wanted a career change and looked at lots of avenues before I choose nursing. I know this is a right fit for me. However I too have seen people going into nursing for all the wrong reasons. There was someone in class for AP's that didn't like blood or sick people - not sure what she thought she was going to do as a nurse. The people who want the money - fine so long as they can do the job.