Changing career to nursing, last minute fear

[mmr2]

I'm a career switcher. Nursing school starts within three weeks. My mind suddenly gets a 180 degrees turn. Now I'm getting scared about nursing future and hate to quit my job so much.

I remember five years ago IT was so hot, that many people jumped into it from other fields, starting from 2001, with massive layoffs and job outsourcing, IT new graduates had great difficulty landing a job, even many people who already had been working lost their jobs and had to look for other alternatives. Till today, the job market is still bad.

I'm just scared now I'm going to be like some people in the IT bubble, jump right into the bubble, nursing is now hot. When I graduate from nursing school in two years, the bubble bursts and I would find myself nowhere to go with two years' investments completely lost.

I guess basically my worry is, will there still be a nursing shortage two years later? Yes, population is getting older, but according to statistics, with the influx of immigrants, who are generally young, the average age of population actually goes down. And jobs markets is good now, lots of nurses reach retirement age, but with so many people changing career to nursing fields, with more and more accelerated programs educate fast-tracked nurses, and with so many foreign nurses come to this country, will the shortage last long?

This forum has most people who have been working in nursing field for a long time and know the best about nursing. Maybe any of you can give me some suggestions or confidence, cool my worries. I could not even sleep for days. Any ideas is appreciated.

[mmr2]

rainer1707, thanks for the encouragement! hope everything falls in the way.

browneyedgirl71, hope you best! if you were doing a/p before, no matter how bad nursing market is, i am sure you made a wise decision and your job prospect after nursing school is definitely better than a/p.

jenni82104, i heard the other way. it is to the benefits of the nurse union to argue there is a nursing shortage, no matter it is real or fake. in this way, they will be able to argue for pay increase, better work conditions, etc., to improve the attraction and to retain nurses in the field.

[browneyedgirl71]

Thanks MMR!! It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and you will make the right decision based on what is right for you. I wish you all the best in whatever profession you choose. :)

[jjjoy, LPN]

When I graduated from nursing school in 95, there was a bit of a glut as many hospitals had recently downsized and new grads were competing with experienced nurses for jobs. Many of my classmates worked as CNAs for several months until they were hired on as RNs and/or persistently bugged the unit they wanted to work at, asking if there was an opening yet. Still, with a little persistence, there were jobs to be had. As you can see, that relatively tighter job market was only temporary. There is just so much demand for nurses that I think there will always be jobs to be had. Maybe not the exact area you want to work in. Maybe not the compensation you want (though it should remain better than average for 'entry-level' positions). Maybe not the working conditions you want (understaffing is endemic). Once you have some experience, you'll have more ability to get the jobs you want. So, if I were you (OP), I wouldn't worry too much about job prospects in general.

More important is that you want to become a nurse. I volunteered in several different units and shadowed a couple of nurses before applying to nursing school. However, by the time I finished my degree (two years), I realized I didn't enjoy nursing. However, I learned a lot in nursing school and it wasn't a waste. I now work in a related area... in front of computer all day - works for me!

Every thing we do is a learning experience, so hopefully no matter what you decide or how it turns out, you can be satisfied with your choices.

[firstyearstudent]

Nursing vs. IT: You can't outsource an enema to India.

What's ironic is I knew an RN in the late '80s who'd gone back to school to get a computer science degree to cash in on the high-tech boom. I wonder if she's back in nursing...

With so many skills, I'm sure you'll be employable whatever happens.

[jenni82104]

Thanks for the insight jjjoy, you make a lot of sense.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

TheCommuter, if this is true why is there so much hype about "the nursing shortage"?

The so-called 'nursing shortage' can be attributed to two issues.

1. A lack of master's-prepared nursing instructors. We need master's-prepared instructors to keep the nursing schools afloat.

2. There are nearly 2.5 million RNs in the U.S., but many of them are no longer working at the bedside. Some have retired and others have left the field to become full-time parents or housewives. Some have accepted management desk jobs and others have left the field permanently due to burnout. There is no shortage of nurses; however, there's a shortage of nurses who work at the bedside.

[creative scholar]

Hi Rainer,

I know this is an old post, but I was looking for a thread regarding Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown... and Im so glad I found someone who has previously worked there. Pls , if you have any information that would help me about the hospital and area, please feel free to tell me.

I was recently offered 3 RN positions at Bassett: 1-Med surg, 2-Birthing center and 3-Special care. I am currently living in the nyc area, however, jobs are HARD to come by here, especially in the HOSPITAL and especially for fairly NEW GRADS. So I was thinking about taking a position in the birthing center b/c this is the area I am interested in. The pay is 21.00 an hr for night shift with a 2-3 dollar diff. The training on the birthing center is 4-6 months (med surg- 12 weeks)

Can you tell me anything about the hospital?

How is the exposure to: patients dx, technology? I'm wondering if the learning is worth my while being that its such a small hospital? (The birthing center delivers about 600 births per year- FYI)

Do you know anything about the med surg or birthing units? Treatment of nurses (new nurses?) in the hospital overall? Working climate?

Any information or advice you can give me about the hospital or area would greatly help and be appreciated.

Thanks so much

Creative Scholar