future nurse needs advice

There are new grads out there, just get your foot in the door now! I got my dream job right out of school, but I volunteered for 2 years at the hospital I wanted to work at. :)

My name is Ben and I'm 21 years old and planning on going to ASU next year for nursing. I'm very excited and I really think I would make a good nurse. However, I'm seeing a lot of posts on here about new grads not being able to find any jobs and I'm kind of scared. I won't be graduating for another 3 years so hopefully the job market will be better. I'm also willing to work in nursing/LTC homes and on any floor in a hospital when I start out. I'm also willing to relocate to oregon or washington. I'm just wondering if I'm making the right decision or not? Also, do you think there is still a nursing shortage?

Ben

Keep things in perspective. I don't know of any college major at this time where you still (in a crap economy) have a good chance of getting a well paid job - except for nursing. Even with the economy at its worst, hospitals are still hiring new grads. Not as many as before...but they are still hiring. Also remember - many things can change in 3 years. 3 years ago there was a "nursing shortage." A new grad could walk into almost any unit and get a job. Try and focus on what you really want to do with your life and just do it.

Is there a nursing shortage? Yes, there is a shortage of experienced nurses. Hospitals simply do not want to train new grads and risk losing them. But if you have experience, you have much greater marketability.

Hope this helps...