So...just how bad is it out there?

[smanderson123]

Hello all,

After lurking this site for a few months I've finally decided to wade into the water and ask a burning question I've had since I started reading.

Just how bad is the job market for a CNA/LPN/RN today? Everything I've read, and everyone I've talked to say that these careers in heath care are some of the few that will continue to grow in the coming years - yet the more that I read here the more I notice folks stating how tough it is to find work.

I find myself wondering if the thought is that long term there will be more people needing to be taken care of than people who are qualified to take care of them.

If this is the case, is nursing the career of 2020, and not 2010? Or 2030 and not 2010?

I know that this really depends on where you live, who you are, and just what your qualifications are - but I'd really like to at least have a general idea of just how awful things really are before I even consider investing any time/money/energy in becoming a nurse.

Any insight any of you would have for me would be greatly appreciated.

[tamnurse2]

Times are tough for everyone right now, nurses are not immune to lay off or downsizing but, the prospects are not as bad as in other fields. I am an experienced nurse, work critical care and still, after 20 years, love what I do. If you are considering nursing for the money or having a job I would say find another area. If you want to be a nurse, and make a difference and sometimes work very hard for negative outcome..be a nurse!

[prinsessa]

I graduated in May 2009, passed NCLEX in June and still haven't found a job. It all depends on who you know and where you live. In my area there is not much of a need for unexperienced nurses. I still don't regret going to school for nursing. I just wish I graduated a year earlier when the market wasn't so tight. Good luck! Hopefully it gets better before you graduate.

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

My opinion is that we're going through a horrible economic period and nursing is getting hit like every other job, but not quite as hard. Because of that, this isn't a good time to try to get a job in ANY profession, but I do think it will be easier and faster to eventually get a job in nursing as the economy picks up. I don't believe this is a true "glut" of nurses, but a sign of the times. Basically, you could decide to go to school for something else and very likely not be able to get a job in THAT field either. So if you want to be a nurse, be a nurse. If you want to be something else, explore that.

[Jules A, MSN]

I work with three nurses that graduated June 09. One has two jobs.

[lou12]

I believe there are jobs out there, being a nurse offers options for places of employment-hospitals, long term care, schools, doctor's offices and others. I think right now a new nurse may have to look at jobs they wouldn't have really wanted to do when thinking of going into the nursing profession. So look at long term care, home health, hospice; explore all the areas and good luck!!

[DesertwindRN, ADN, RN]

If you are entering nursing because you want to be a nurse and that is your passion then the years of study, stress of clinics, tests, tests, stress, will be so worth while.

If you wish to become a nurse because of pay and employment opportunities, spend those years of study and expense in a field that will be worth your while with a future that will pay for all your experience at the end of your work life. Find a career that will not feel like a JOB. Explore your gifts.

As a nurse you will need to be able weigh the good and the bad and hopefully the good will far outweigh the bad at the end of your twelve to fourteen hour shift with an hour drive home and the need to return by seven AM the very next day.

I have to concentrate on what kind of nurse I was for my patient at the end of the day and that I made a positive impact on that human being and gave the very best in care that I had to give and not carry home that junk that we have to put up with and the madness of short staffing, working with goofy people who should never be caring for another human being, who perhaps are just working for the money with not one regard for the dangers to the patient population who are so very vulnerable and dependent on us for their very lives--------stress between shirfts, stress from "some" physicians, stress between nuses, some who do not carry their full share and thus add to the responsibilities of the already way too busy fellow RNs, stress, stress from short staffing that is just plain dangerous so breaks are just not possible, and the very poor pay for the hours and for the responsibility one takes when stepping into the shoes of the RN.

[didadi_826]

Job market is very tough now compared with a year before.

I finally got a job after a year of job hunting after graduation.

Like others said that it also depends on who you know and the location you are at.

it's really sad that even some experienced nurses can't find a job.

[Rhondynurse]

hello there. I'm in southern california, & I received my LVN license in december 2008, & still no nursing job. there's little work for new-grad LVNs here, but there's little work for anyone else, either. I'm hoping that by the time I achieve my RN, we'll all be breathing a little easier financially, & the jobs will be more plentiful. I agree with those above, who recommend that if what you really want to be is a nurse, then you should do it. If you can see yourself doing something else, and it would fulfill you just as much, then maybe look into that first. You may wish to take a CNA course, and explore your interests that way- you could work with patients, get to know some nurses and their jobs- see if it's for you. you never know, you may love it. if not, you haven't wasted much time finding out. in any event, good luck in your endeavors!

Rhonda