From auto worker to nurse

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Did anyone see the CNN piece this morning with the title above? I was working out when I saw it but did not have access to any audio. Was it positive, disparaging, or neutral.

I'm guessing they were saying that this is going to be more and more common as the various industries struggle to survive.

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There have been various reports of second career nurses listed here over the past year. I think the accelerated BSN programs are in many ways a direct response to the need for increased nurses and retraining of displaced workers.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

About 80% of my class are reentry students of one sort or another.

Some of us are getting out of jobs/careers that were not liked. Others of us are economic refugees (I'm one of the latter).

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I might get flamed but I can't get past this nagging feeling that I'd like to see a bit done on going from line cook to MD. It's nothing against 2nd career people (after all I'm one) nor any certain career, but that's why I was hoping someone could tell me what the piece was saying. Were they presenting a career in nursing as though anyone could become a nurse--my reservation in part goes to the thread about anyone becoming a nurse; we really don't need media saying anyone can do it, because that's simply not the truth

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Specializes in ICU/ER.
I might get flamed but I can't get past this nagging feeling that I'd like to see a bit done on going from line cook to MD. It's nothing against 2nd career people (after all I'm one) nor any certain career, but that's why I was hoping someone could tell me what the piece was saying. Were they presenting a career in nursing as though anyone could become a nurse--my reservation in part goes to the thread about anyone becoming a nurse; we really don't need media saying anyone can do it, because that's simply not the truth

I can not agree more--on the flip side though. You can become a nurse in as little as 2 years, yes those years are difficult but 2 years all the same.

I myself am a 2nd career nurse and I chose nursing for a variety of reasons, boil all the reasons down and final result was it was a good career choice for me and my family. I can work as little or as much as I want. Hospitals are open 24/7. I can make a decent hourly wage with a nice benefit package. My mind will not go dull. May be the same job but every day is different. I will have personal satisfaction from the work I do.

I agree not every one can become a nurse--for many reasons. I also believe nationwide it is harder and harder to get into a good nursing school. Thus weeding out some that can not hack nursing.

Nursing today is so much more than it was even 10 years ago. We have some old text books on our unit that say CPR can only be done by an MD. That cracked us up.

I would like to see a media piece on how difficult it is to not only become a nurse, but then work as a nurse. Then maybe we would get more respect via the media.

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Specializes in Government.
I was hoping someone could tell me what the piece was saying. Were they presenting a career in nursing as though anyone could become a nurse

I believe I saw this piece over the weekend and they are repeating it. If it is the CNN piece I saw, I found it to be very shiny-happy.... "have you thought about this little known gem called nursing!!??!!".

It was very much focused on the job security and pay. I did wish they would haved talked about salary differences since they always give NY/LA hourly rates. If I remember correctly, they interviewed a few very happy nurses. It was part of a series on where the jobs are in the recession economy.

I'm a second careerist as well so no kick from me. I also know that I'm the last one of my class to still be working as an RN and that should tell you something.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

It was probably more a commentary on the economic changes currently going on. Auto workers and other people are being laid off and nursing is looked upon as a stable career with opportunities for the foreseeable future.

I would look for more "2nd coursers" in the coming months, years. News stories like this only fuel the desire in laid off folks to become nurses. What is a shame is that there aren't enough spots in nursing schools for these students, and at the same time we're importing. I know that's a sore subject and there are other threads about this. But it's one of my major issues. :)

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