Am I doing the right thing?

[crazycordovian]

I am really trying to decide if right now is a good time to become a nurse,a lot of my friends who have graduated haven't been able to find work due to the hospitals being on a hiring freeze. I am just begining to take the pre reqs for the nursing program at my college but I am just wondering if any of you are having similar concerns? Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to be a nurse and at 25 I have just now gotten the opportunity to be able to really concentrate on my school work. I would just hate to go through nursing school and come out not being able to find a job for months or maybe even a year afterward.

[Michaelxy]

Have a look at this site for job postings in your area http://www.nursingjobs.org/

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

well, first you have to do what's best for you - finanically and emotionally and really determine where your heart lies. The job market is somewhat discouraging, but I don't believe it should deter you from pursuing nursing, if it is in fact the career that you are passionate about. Set up some informational interviews with schools and even hospitals to pick their brains. I'm leaving a pretty lucrative position and 8 year career to pursue a direct-entry MSN program in the fall. I'm scared about going to school fulltime, my finances, will I be able to do the work (and do it well), not to mention the job market. However, I've thought long and hard about it, asked a lot of questions to those in the profession, and I've already put in a lot of time, money and work into my prereqs, so I'm confident in my decision. One thing that I was told to do (which I would suggest to others) is to get your CNA certification and try to get a CNA position at a hospital where you would like to work as an RN or enter their new grad RN program when you finish school. This gives you not only more experience than your peers in a clinical setting, but you have a foot in the door with that organization. Look, the job market sucks for everyone right now - it's just the circumstance of the present economy. But remember, storms don't last forever, and the nursing profession (and all of the different career routes one can take as a nurse) will never be obsolete!

Good luck!

[mangopeach]

Do you really want to be a nurse?

IMO, the job market sucks all around no matter your career path. So I would not let that be my determining factor.

My first time around in college I trained to be a paralegal, my plan was to go to law school and then I realized it was not what I wanted to do. People that I went to school with back then, paralegals and lawyers are having a tough time finding work right now. There is no such thing as a sure bet right now. I'm sure eventually they will find work. They are competent and love what they do so they'll find something eventually. Just as you will, if nursing is something you really want to do.

I am not trying to be Debbie Downer, but these are the times we are living in. Its rough all around. Bottomline, if you really want to be a nurse, this should not be a deciding factor. No one but you can tell you if you are doing the right thing.