EVERYONE wants to be a Nurse/feeling overwhelmed

i♥words · Feb 11, 2013

I think nursing is the third or fourth "most popular" major on my campus. Every other person I talk to is a nursing major it seems. I don't remember the exact statistic, but I think a lot of people end up changing majors. Then, a lot of people don't make the cut as far as grades. So don't worry about everyone else, just worry about yourself! You got this! I'm in my last semester of prerequisites and waiting for my acceptance letter.

kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 11, 2013

Honestly, most of the people that you start with, won't finish. Undergrad, we lost half of our class in the first semester, because it's a lot of work, and those people weren't able to commit. Some say that there is a lot exaggeration when it comes to the amount of work you have to do in nursing school, but it is a lot. If you do the work, and study, you'll make it.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 11, 2013

Yes bprlal, it really seems to be a continuing phenomenon... everyone is stampeding into nursing school these days. As an ancient one, I find it really hard to believe. All those predictions of 'nursing shortage' were based upon rational calculations - assuming # of nurses needed to maintain a specific ratio of nurses for the population. But there is a glaring error in those calculations... at the same time that the number of new grads has pretty much doubled, the actual number of "jobs" for nurses has decreased and will continue to decrease. Hospitals (major nursing employer) are increasing nursing workloads & substituting non-licensed personnel (only CA has mandated nurse-patient ratios). The result is pretty obvious. There are now hundreds of applications for each new grad position in most larger cities.

I agree with the PP - nursing programs have a very high attrition rate due to a number of factors in addition to academic failure. So you will probably graduate with only 60% of the people you started with. NCLEX standards for passing are also increasing - so this may wash out people who have managed to graduate. But the number of new nurses produced each year continues to exceed the number of available jobs.

I have no idea where this is all going. Law schools reacted decisively to scale back the number of graduates as a response to fewer jobs for their grads... but nursing education seems to be totally disconnected from reality at the moment.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2013

Everything...all jobs...are competitive. If you have thought of it...it has already been done, thought of etc...there are very few if any original ideas. "Most men/women/people lead lives of quiet desperation..." forgot who said that...ultimately true. Find your niche and you will be just fine.

luchy · Feb 11, 2013

i always tell ppl not to focus on what others are doing rather, pay more attention on what u can do and not following the crowd. the point is, you can be whatever u want to be if only u are determined.commit every of ur worries in Gods hand. He is the only one who can make any impossible situation possible.you can do it!

bprlal13 · Feb 11, 2013

reply thank you All for the encouragement , I was feeling a little blue, But you'll are right /I'm going to remain focus:woot: on MY objective!!! I'm a Cpht and have been volunteering at my local county hospital for over 2 years now, and as a result have increased my knowledge of Dosage calculations/and basic understanding of drugs. However I currently work in the "Finance industry"(higher $$ and convenient hrs /benefits). I guess since, I don't currently work in the medical field , I must be feeling a little unsecured ,lol....But 4 now on... just worried about doing my personal best!!Thanks:cat:

my crazy world · Feb 11, 2013

Even though it may seem compeditive and you may be feeling nervous about the others, you have an oppertunity there for a great support system. You all have that common goal and most likely everyone is feeling exactly the way you are. Who better to have as a support system then the people going through the exact same thing that you are? Plus once you make it to the program these are going to be your best friends untill your done and hopefully longer.

lol I have always been told I am way to positive. Just an idea for you.

sweetnurse786 · Feb 11, 2013

Hate to be negative, but I think nursing field is tough to get jobs in...I myself graduate in May 2012 with a BSN from a really good school in NY and still cant find a job its really tough out there! So definitely rethink your decision before you go into it..best of luck!!

CareQueen, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2013

reply thank you All for the encouragement , I was feeling a little blue, But you'll are right /I'm going to remain focus:woot: on MY objective!!! I'm a Cpht and have been volunteering at my local county hospital for over 2 years now, and as a result have increased my knowledge of Dosage calculations/and basic understanding of drugs. However I currently work in the "Finance industry"(higher $$ and convenient hrs /benefits). I guess since, I don't currently work in the medical field , I must be feeling a little unsecured ,lol....But 4 now on... just worried about doing my personal best!!Thanks:cat:

I understand how you're feeling. I actually LEFT Finance (literally just quit my job two wks ago) for Nursing (I start my ABSN program in August). Even as an entry-level employee the pay in Finance was pretty darn good (although I find 9-5, M-F work hours ANYTHING but convenient), but I hated it and could not have imagined having to spend even one more month giving my time to a field that literally sucked the happiness out of me.

I have heard all of the recent stories about the "fabled" nursing shortage, but I have also heard first hand accounts from friends, family members, and mentors who say that it is just not true-that there IS a shortage, that they are always understaffed and overworked, and that the hospitals just don't want to HIRE more people. In a weird way, that gives me a glimpse of hope because at I least know that the need is still there, even if the job openings aren't per se. From what I've heard this is a cyclical trend that occurs in Nursing anyway- economy down, heavily experienced nurses come back to work, economy gets better and little by little they leave again.

I try to be a realist about things at all times (so that I stay grounded), but I'm also an optomist. Things work out simply because they HAVE to and this should be no different. OP, I would encourage you to focus on doing all you can to make sure that you complete your program and that YOU become successful. Yes, the field is competitive but the fact of the matter is that we can't ALL be nurses, and there are built-in mechanisms in these programs to weed people out. During my first degree, I can't tell you how fast the "Pre-Med Kids" and the "Engineering Kids" pools dwindled down. All you can focus on is you. You will make it as long as you refuse to accept anything less.

RosaleiMae · Feb 11, 2013

Stay focused on your goal... yes there are lots of students and new grads (some unable to find work), but you aren't them you're your own individual and you bring your own set of skills, experiences, etc.

I'm also starting an ABSN program, like one of the previous posters. I'm not at all concerned about it. There's a lot of competition for any jobs right now... if you work hard and you have what it takes you'll be in a good place, but you have to put in the time and work. Get any experience you can now and network : )

Best wishes!

bprlal13 · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks , i work 6-3pm shift and my employer has suggested I change my degree to Finance, they can cover my school tuition based on grade A's-100% tuition B's-80% ect. But I can't imagine spending the rest of my life on a field ... where the calling doesn't come from the heart. This is what I want.... I took a CNA course in SoCal just to make sure this is what i want..... and after the externship I was sure :coollook: