Good evening. I've been a member of Allnurses since last year. It has helped guide me through my prenursing journey to acceptance into the competitive ADN program I applied to. I worked hard, through last summer all of the way through this previous spring semester to achieve the 3.6 gpa I have. I scored in the 99th percentile on the Pax-Rn. I was very proud to get accepted into the AND program I applied to.
Well, it just so happens that, this previous January during thr spring semester, I lost my job that I had been on for 7 years. I was devastated. I had given that job much of myself, and they just threw me away like a piece of trash. I applied for unemployment, which I was approved for. I've obviously encountered some financial hardship since, being that my unemployment is less than half of what I was making.
After no luck finding a job, I went ahead and enrolled full-time this summer. This made me a trainee as far as the Dept of Labor said, which means that I was to cease my work search and concntrate on my studies. I began to look at what happened with my job as possibly a blessing in disguise, as I would have had to probably leave anyway once the nursing program started.
The problem I'm encountering is my family. Both of my sisters are not supportive at all. They call me lazy....say I'm too sorry to work. I've worked since I was 16 (I'm now 29), oftentimes two jobs. The job that I lost...I was salaried, working close to 60 hrs/wk. I thought the circumstances lined up perfectly for me to pursue my dream of being in nursing.
They constantly make me feel like crap. They talk about me to other members of my family. They say "they went to work and went to school....you can too". They don't realize that I did as well when I was younger, maintaining almost 4.0gpa while doing so for two years.
Nursing school is very unique: they don't understand that, for most, they can't work while in RN school at all. At best, some manage to hold down a part time job. Most don't work at all. They faculty even advises us not to work. Working a part time job wouldn't even pay me more than I receive with my benefits.
The only people that have supported me are my parents. My mother is a nurse, and she understands the rigors of nursing school. She told me she thought I made an excellent choice, making a short-term sacrifice for long-term security and happiness. My father also supported me, telling me that it was time I went for it, doing something for a living that was a rewarding and that I could actually enjoy somewhat. Sadly, he passed away last month.
Now, I'm still excited. I can't wait for school to start this fall. My mother continues to support me, as well as my friends. However, I can't help but feel discouraged at times when some of my family feels like they do about me. Well, sorry for the long post. Just needed to vent. I'm gonna stay the course and do the best I can.Anyone else encountered anything similar?
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Most professions are "saturated" right now with "poor working conditions". Due to the economy, it is an employer's market. Maybe things will change...maybe they won't. However, this isn't limited to nursing, but nearly every profession that there is in America.QUOTE]
*** It's different with nursing. Not long ago, in my area as late as 2009, while there was no shortage of nurses, there were plenty of nursing jobs. Hospitals had to be nice to us or nurses would vote with their feet. Nursing wages, benifits and working conditions were steadily improving. This of course was very expensive for hospitals and ate into coprate profits so something had to be done. The answer was the false and self serving "nursing shortage" propaganda, combined with heavy lobbying of federal and state goverments for tax payer money to greatly expand nursing programs. In my area most nursing programs doubled in size by going from once a year graduation to twice a year graduation. The whole idea was to create a vast oversupply of nurses. In an oversupply situation there is no need to treat nurses decently or improve wages or working conditions. "Don't like it? There's the door, there are 20 people waiting in line for your job." The propaganda was very effective, attracting people to nursing who would have never considered it otherwise.
The economic crash only moved that day of suplus ahead a few years.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
My point is that many professions are experiencing this same thing. Should one encourage all of these people not to go into said profession based on this information? That doesn't make much sense to me...
*** Yes, of course we should discourage peope from entering saturated fields. I would think this so obvious as to not even need mentioning. I could not in good concious encourage a young person to invest vast amounts of time and money, and incure huge debts, to become trained for a job were there is little in the way of employment propsects.
I would never discourage anyone whose dream is to be a nurse. I would discourage those looking to get into nursing for good employment prospects or steady employment.
Your the one making assumptions here, thinking I am just assuming that there are lots of jobs for new grads in my area. I KNOW there are lots of jobs for new grads in my area. I looked at a booklet from the school I am attending listing how many people graduated from each program in the last year and how many had jobs. 99% of the people who graduated from the nursing program had found jobs. And while I may not be an RN yet, I have occasionally looked online at hospitals in my area and found tons of RN positions. And if you can't move, don't go to school for a job that would be hard to find in your area. I for one did my research on how easy it would be to find a job in my area if I were to become a nurse before I decided to go to school.
That's not the assumption you're making. It would be the statement where you say "I think." As in, I think people who can't find jobs just don't want to work. Based on what? Your extensive knowledge of the RN job hunt and everyone involved in it?
Once again, I'll point out that job listings do not mean they will be hiring a new grad when there is a surplus of experienced nurses ahead of you. But if you do happen to live in a Mecca, that's great and I do hope you secure a job quickly. Some people do, even in tough markets. But the world is bigger than you. It's bigger than your area. People are struggling whether you want to believe it or not.
They are selfish and as long as your parents are supportive go for it. I had to work full time and attend nursing school full time. It was difficult and I wasn't an A student but I survived. I have been working as a nurse since 1991 and currently attending graduate school, working 50+ hours a week and maintaining a family. If it wasn't for the support of my wonderful husband and kids I couldn't do it. I am still not an A student but when I graduated in 2010 with my BSN I received honors which was surprising to me. Keep your head up and good luck!
That's not the assumption you're making. It would be the statement where you say "I think." As in, I think people who can't find jobs just don't want to work. Based on what? Your extensive knowledge of the RN job hunt and everyone involved in it?
Once again, I'll point out that job listings do not mean they will be hiring a new grad when there is a surplus of experienced nurses ahead of you. But if you do happen to live in a Mecca, that's great and I do hope you secure a job quickly. Some people do, even in tough markets. But the world is bigger than you. It's bigger than your area. People are struggling whether you want to believe it or not.
Yeah, I don't think that is what you were implying, but anyway.....based on pretty much every person I have come across who does not have a job. I have NEVER in my life had a hard time finding a job. I have never been on unemployment, I have never been fired from a job. I was not just talking about RNs, I was talking about everyone. If you really want to work, you will make it happen. If I were to be fired from my job today, I bet you anything I would have a new job by tomorrow. Not just because of what I do, but because of my determination.
Everything is relative...In my area, there are easily 20 listings daily for Rn's. Hell, the hospitals will damn near hire any new grad as long as you agree to work there for at least a year. I do understand that this may not be the same in every area. My point is, if nursing is truly what you want to be in carrrer-wise, you will do what you have to do...move where you have to move...to be successful at it.
I have to agree that the economy is pretty much in the toilet right now and many people are looking for work. In my opinion, why not get some schooling in and go for it! You can become a nurse and get a job (might take a bit) that will actually pay your bills. It's hard reading some posts that are discouraging people from nursing. Maybe some of them should go work in a factory for a year and then come back to discourage. Working in 110 degree factory is much different then getting dumped on with more paper work in nursing!
Working conditions could be better, but they could be much much worse. This is supposed to be a supportive community. Jeez the guy comes here looking for support and some of us chose to discourage rather than encourage. What is wrong here?
Jc1982, keep your eyes on that prize. Nursing is still a predominately female profession so being a male will definately help. You will find a job and who knows what the economy will look like in 2 yrs. Time marches on no matter what. You can do this!
I have to agree that the economy is pretty much in the toilet right now and many people are looking for work. In my opinion, why not get some schooling in and go for it! You can become a nurse and get a job (might take a bit) that will actually pay your bills. It's hard reading some posts that are discouraging people from nursing. Maybe some of them should go work in a factory for a year and then come back to discourage. Working in 110 degree factory is much different then getting dumped on with more paper work in nursing!
Working conditions could be better, but they could be much much worse. This is supposed to be a supportive community. Jeez the guy comes here looking for support and some of us chose to discourage rather than encourage. What is wrong here?
Jc1982, keep your eyes on that prize. Nursing is still a predominately female profession so being a male will definately help. You will find a job and who knows what the economy will look like in 2 yrs. Time marches on no matter what. You can do this!
I love it!!!! Now this is what I'm talking about!!!
*** Yes, of course we should discourage peope from entering saturated fields. I would think this so obvious as to not even need mentioning. I could not in good concious encourage a young person to invest vast amounts of time and money, and incure huge debts, to become trained for a job were there is little in the way of employment propsects.
I would never discourage anyone whose dream is to be a nurse. I would discourage those looking to get into nursing for good employment prospects or steady employment.
You are NOT allowed to discourage people from nursing, this much I've learned. I don't know what it is about the profession, but there's almost a cult following behind it. It's like telling Elvis fans that he isn't The King. Pandemonium!
My brother got his degree in economics. Along the way, he was made aware that the market was pretty much shut down after the economy crashed by his professors I can't imagine anyone in the background screaming HE HAS A PASSION FOR ECONOMICS!!!! HOW DARE YOU DISCOURAGE HIM!!!! FOLLOW YOUR FINANCIAL DREAMS!!!!!' MOVE TO CHINA IF YOU HAVE TO!!!!
If nursing is all you want to do, cool. But be smart and keep your expectations in check. Take a look at the posts from new grads who are battling depression or quitting before they even begin because it can be tough out there. People do go into the field thinking they'll be making $70k and walking out of school with 10 job offers and sign on bonuses, and are hit in the face with their student loan payments and no employment in site.
If you don't think it applies to you, take what you need and leave the rest.
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PMFB-RN, RN
5,351 Posts