Am I wasting my time going to nursing school?

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 28, 2011

My question is will the job market get better or should I choose another career?

Do you have another career in mind where the job market for new grads is better than the job market for new grad nurses? Are you interested in that career? If not and nursing is what you want to do, then stick with it.

Of course the job market will get better, just like it has in the past. Then it will get worse..then better...then worse.....

Highschoolfuturenurs · May 28, 2011

Who knows if the market will get better. There is a huge glut of new grad nurses and I don't see that getting any better since everyone is jumping on the nursing bandwagon because of "job security". But if this is truly what you want to do then keep going no matter what!

MusicEMT · May 28, 2011

as highschoolfuturenurs put it youll eventually find a job if you put your heart to it..

although im not a nurse yet.. from what i hear getting your BSN will help alot when looking for jobs..

another thing is try to get some experience with patient care such as being a: CNA,LVN,MA,EMT.. or volunteer at the local hospital.. not only will it look good on your resume and nursing school, youll acutally get a sneak preview of how it is to take care of patients.. and maybe it might be or might not be right for you

NursingN.C · May 28, 2011

Who knows if the market will get better. There is a huge glut of new grad nurses and I don't see that getting any better since everyone is jumping on the nursing bandwagon because of "job security". But if this is truly what you want to do then keep going no matter what!

Thanks I will take your advice because nursing is something that I really want to do. I guess the only thing left to do is have faith.

NursingN.C · May 28, 2011

Do you have another career in mind where the job market for new grads is better than the job market for new grad nurses? Are you interested in that career? If not and nursing is what you want to do, then stick with it.
Of course the job market will get better, just like it has in the past. Then it will get worse..then better...then worse.....

No I really don't have another career in mind. Nursing is what I really want to do :crying2:

mangopeach · May 28, 2011

The economy sucks period. Almost any field you can think of is experiencing a shortage of jobs. It also depends on where you live. It can be worse in some places than in others.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · May 28, 2011

No I really don't have another career in mind. Nursing is what I really want to do

Then do it! There are few jobs for new grads in ANY career right now.. but if you stick to it you'll find something.

I think a LOT of new grads you see complaining (not all, so no offense if this doesn't apply to some of you) are ones trying to cherry pick nursing jobs. You have to take what you can get and gain experience. If that means working from 10pm-7am and a LTC facility, that's what you have to do..

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 28, 2011

No I really don't have another career in mind. Nursing is what I really want to do

Then do that.

suanna · May 29, 2011

We are at a place in health care in the US that job security and staff demand are going to be in flux for some time. Just ask any cardiac surgeons if the feel they are in an indispensable position right now. As the process settles out over the next 5-10 years I would expect the job market will stabilize too. In response to your specific question- yes, much of what you are doing in nursing school is a waste of time, but that dosen't mean it isn't required to become a nurse, and that is still a very viable career choice.

bhanson · May 29, 2011

While it is much tougher to find a job these days if nursing is the only thing you can see yourself doing then there is no choice.

By the way, anecdotal evidence in my local area leads me to believe good nursing candidates are still able to find jobs without too much difficulty. Yes, it will be hard for some people to find jobs just as it's hard for some people to get admitted into nursing school. Everyone I personally know (n=30~) that has graduated in the past year already have jobs or one lined up.

If you do your due diligence during school I think you can increase your chances DRASTICALLY of finding a job upon graduation.

Things to do:

Strive for straight-As (rationale: Having good grades will enable you to list your GPA on your resume. After you get your first job the GPA means much less, but for getting your first job it will help. Hiring managers aren't stupid, the know new grads that don't list their GPAs probably do not for a reason.)
Get to know your professors (rationale: Your professors have rapport with many of the nursing leaders in your community. The recommendation from one of these people goes a LONG way towards getting you a job. In fact many people will hire someone based solely on the recommendation from one of your professors.)
Join your student nursing association and become a leader (rationale: As an RN you are a leader. The CNA has a problem? They come to you. The LVN has a problem? They come to you. You also manage a multidisciplinary team and they all go through you. Not only does joining a professional organization show initiative but it is the stuff that managers are looking for. Quality leadership is something that is still scarce.)
Volunteer in your community (rationale: Volunteering shows that you are a real person that cares for other people. You would think going into nursing would show that, but a cursory survey of any nursing class would show otherwise. You might be the most compassionate person in the world and I commend you, but having some proof will help you land that elusive first job.)
Get a job close to your desired place of employment (rationale: Most places give preference to hiring internally before they even look at external candidates. Get a job as a CNA, patient sitter, unit secretary, etc. and work your rear end off. Don't complain about anything. Be there on time with no exceptions. These qualities are not something that show up on a resume but are very important to hiring managers. Once you get your degree they are given a choice between hiring you, the dedicated hard working person, or letting you go else where.)

Things NOT to do:

Join the C=degree camp (rationale: Stay away from anyone that heeds this methodology. This thought process is poisonous and goes against everything you should be doing.)
Think graduating and passing the NCLEX will guarantee you a job (rationale: It won't.)

If you do everything in the TODO list above I think you'll find plenty of job opportunities upon graduation. I should add, every person I know that has gotten a job very soon after graduation had at least 4/5 of the above criteria. I do not think this is a coincidence.

NursingN.C · May 29, 2011

Thanks for the advice everyone I am definitely sticking with nursing. You guys are the best.