Anxious about job market

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all..

I'm a pre nursing student and I am apprehensive about the job market. I would appreciate some insight...

A little about me... I currently live in Florida, but do not mind relocating. I have a background in complementary medicine (massage therapy, Yoga, and Pilates instructor).

I'm mainly interested in Psych and Neurology and hope to eventually get my NP.

Some questions..

1. How hard is it going to be to get a job upon graduation?

2. Any tips to help me land my first job and or ways to build a network with other professionals?

3. Is Florida a good or bad state to start your career? Also, any states in particular that would be good to consider moving to?

4. Any tips to help me get into either neuroscience or psych?

Thank you!

Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I graduated a couple of years ago from a state college in Florida. At the time, all my classmates got jobs as nurses, with only a couple leaving the state (and they already had plans to move unrelated to finding a job). Almost all of them are working in hospitals. I left the particular area where I went to school and moved to another part of the state. I had no trouble finding a job, despite all the warnings that I would need a BSN. I had more than one job to choose from, actually. I have not had a problem either with finding employment in the state or needing a BSN. YMMV, of course. I will say that many of my classmates found jobs through networking. I got my first job on my own, but the one I have now came from knowing someone who helped me get a foot in the door. Don't underestimate the power of networking. Let the people you know help you. Best wishes!

Try to land a job now as a PCT or search for nurse extern positions. At least that will get you in the door.

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

It's interesting you should say that psych nurses compensation often pale in comparison to that of other nurses. I was unaware of this. I have heard that when it comes to NP specialties they tend to be one of the highest paid. I try not to allow money to be a prime motivating factor in my career path, but it would be dishonest to say that salary wouldn't at least play some role in my decision making.

My experience has been that acute care behavioral health pays the same as other specialties.

And in terms of APN salaries, PMHNP often make more than most other specialties. Less of them to go around, and not for everyone, but a high demand.

We graduate in December; I've already had 3 job offers, and two have offered sign-on bonuses. One of the offers is in mental health (which is my current field). I don't know about your area, but it is my understanding that mental health nurses are always in high demand because it's so stressful, and the pay oftentimes is terrible.

Are you in a BSN program? If so, I honestly would not worry about being able to find a job. If it's an ADN, I know some hospitals will only hire those with experience, but I highly doubt that is the standard. There is an initiative for 80% of nurses to have a BSN by 2020 so that may be why some are starting to lean that way.

This is totally my opinion but mental health nurses are indeed in high demand, but the pay is just fine.. some places the pay is far better than hospital nursing.. But they are in high demand because there is often no incentive to stay (No practice autonomy / no trust). Turnover is a big issue. I worked in substance abuse / detox and I can honestly see why people don't stay long.

Specializes in ICU.

Florida nurse here. I was living out of state when I applied for a job through a new grad residency program last year down here. Graduated with a job offer already in place. Pay is good. 100% of my graduating class from nursing school is employed in the profession, a few even in NYC where it's hard to find new grad jobs. If you're motivated enough you will be fine, and I have a feeling you are motivated given the fact that you are already looking into this.

Specializes in ICU.
if you don't mind me asking what area are you employed in?

Sorry for the very slow response... I work in a medical ICU.

The most important thing you can do is work hard, get excellent grades in school, and get a foot in the door in the specialty where you want to end up while you are still early in your nursing program. Get a job as a CNA, tech, intern, etc. All of my classmates who had this experience were quickly hired as nurses. Many of those who didn't took a lot longer to find jobs. All of that aside, you may want to really look into the work environment in Florida. This state has low pay for nurses, among the worst work conditions (high patient loads, lots of for-profit hospitals), and a high rate of malpractice litigation. Just something to be aware of.

Just read this, seems like nursing schools need to quit pumping out students. It seems absurd the amount of excess nursing staff, here's looking at you Ohio with your projected 75K+ abundance of new nurses. Whats with that?

The other side of the coin is that by 2025 nobody will be able to afford going to college, so those that can will be assured a job simply by default. Scary, but more of a reality than any of us want to admit.

Just read this, seems like nursing schools need to quit pumping out students. It seems absurd the amount of excess nursing staff, here's looking at you Ohio with your projected 75K+ abundance of new nurses. Whats with that?

The other side of the coin is that by 2025 nobody will be able to afford going to college, so those that can will be assured a job simply by default. Scary, but more of a reality than any of us want to admit.

It is a shame and unethical for schools to flood the nursing market if the jobs aren't there. I still think that people shouldn't be discouraged from pursuing nursing though, they just have to be smart about it and willing to work hard, or even possibly relocate.

Pick a reputable program, get good grades, network and/or seek entry level employment to get your foot in the door. Also do things that will set you apart from other candidates perhaps like volunteering.

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