Nursing: One of the 6 Thriving Jobs that are Here to Stay???

Just wondering if you are a Nurse?

I completely agree. I know tons of people from other industries who are laid off and desperate. I was a newspaper reporter. My industry has shriveled up and died. I am still pursuing a nursing degree because I think it's one of the best alternatives. I mean, what industry IS hiring tons of people right now? I don't know of any.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, nurses held about 2.5 million jobs in 2006. I recognize that once I graduate (I'll be working part time as a CNA while I go to school), I will very likely have to move, possibly to a rural area which I wouldn't necessarily have chosen to live in, and take whatever job I can get - but seriously - what industry is BETTER right now???

This thing cycles back and forth... 5 years ago you could started in critical care as a new grad... now it doesn't matter what degree you have as much as who you know.. only new grads getting hired in my area are already employees of the hospital and were taken under wing basically. good luck to you, and don't give up!!

Good job, Altra! You demonstrated the type of critical thinking skills developed in nurses; the ability to analyze data and assess the situation. Do you find yourself, as I do, assessing casual passersby for gait, edema, incipient ascites and all sorts of things, and then realize what you are doing and try to stop it? It's crazy! If you are truly a nurse you will do these things. If you truly want to become a nurse you will find your spot..or several. There will always be a need. People just don't have money now in general. I tend to think that people don't necessarily NEED insurance per se, they need a doctor, a nurse, education, medicine. I don't believe the insurance industry should be dominating our health care. Florence did compassionate care with very little in the way of technology and it's the heart of a nurse that can heal with listening, research, observation and attention to outcome.Assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate. If you keep your enthusiasm for learning you will find a job. Keep knocking. Go in person. Look for places that need you. They are there.

"I aslo believe you can't go from ADN to MSN without BSN either (another plan of mine)!"

Thankfully untrue. Some credible schools have ADN to MSN programs (Emory...my hope!).

The NIH and All Allied Health Fields Careers in a Navel Hospital ,Maryland is another option and the Indian Reservations, VA Health care Systems all have have reimbursement for your and some to $ 50000.00 or more for 4 year degree. I about 99% of the nurses I ever met in that work for the Armed Forces or Retired look great physically and seem to have enjoyed their time. I even work with Vietnam Vets RN and Physical Therapist who were in the MESH units and they still loved and have no regrets. The average nurses that spends a life career in nursing currently averages a lifespan of 68 years old. So unless working condition,lifestyles etc... stay the same I do not see much of a increase in the average nurses' lifespan. Nursing career is for people who loves nursing just like teachers career who loves teaching. The the average pay will not make you rich with $
Yes, some say there is job security. I have been nursing for over thirty years and I can tell you there are going to be dry spells in some areas of nursing and of the country at times. If you have the ability to be flexible like a artist you can find work in nursing even if job has crappy wages. I once took a job for $4 less and hour just to relocate and in 6 months time I was able to a new job at my prior rate and in 18 months later I made $6 more an hour going to another hospital doing what I loved in the same area of the country. I have done Private duty,HHC, Travel nursing, QI Review,RM,Step downs,CCU,Telemetry. MED/Surg Othro, Etc...,Outpatient Surgical Centers. Supervisor Nursing Home and same time managed a 48 bed floor.I have Floated all over hospitals sometimes 2 to 3 times in a 12 hour shift ( did I like that NO but I did what I had to stay in nursing when there were slow times and the jobs were few and hard between). I always got annual reviews that were Wonderful and great referrals. If I had to do it all over again I say get as much education in nursing while you can it will pay off in the long run. There are new graduates coming out of college making only $12 hour and they were making $10 hour as a CNT that is horrible but if they are in the field they love the chances of moving on to another hospital in a year making a whole lot more money are great. You can always use nursing as a spring board into another fields if you find out you just do not like it. I sincerely wish you all find Jobs ASAP. God Bless you in finding that bed of roses or your next parachute
PS Always Manage your own Retirement plan if you can.

I am a nurse, thanks. And I have been employed since graduation 6 years ago.

What's the hospital name?

Nursing is doing well here. Most recent grads have jobs locally and my hospital is expanding. New pediatric floor opening next month, plans to build 4 more floors sooner than later, cardiac unit opening later this month. Some areas definitely sound like they're doing better than others! I would be frustrated too, if I was actively searching for a job in what felt like a black hole of opportunity. Things will hopefully turn around sooner than later!

Not finding a job post grad has been ripping my heart out, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise. I've decided to just go for Psychiatric NP. I'm going to get my RN to BA at Western Governors University (online) and I recommend it to anyone else who's thinking about this.