What Is The Deal With All The Highly Educated & Professionals Becoming RNs?

Nurses General Nursing

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So I pretty much always have nursing students with me. I have senior BSN students who are doing a critical care class (six 12 hours shifts), ADN students from 2 different programs doing their preceptorships (eight 12 hour shifts), ABSN students doing clinical (six 12 hour shifts), and direct entry MSN students who shadow me for a shift. In addition I come into contact with a variety of other students who are being taught by my RN co-workers. My hospital also has a "student nurse technician" program where they hire nursing students to do CNA type work. So I regularly talk to 5-10 nursing students a week and nearly always have a student with me each shift.

What I am so shocked about is the level of education of these students who are in nursing school. I can't even remember the last time I had a ADN student who didn't already have a bachelors degree with me. Of course the MSN and ABSN students already have bachelors degrees, but what is surprising to me is that so many are already professionals in others areas. I had a student who already has a bachelors and masters in architecture and worked for a well known local firm, I have had lawyers, police officers, scads of teachers, and a few engineers among others. Even a guy who is an MD in Russia.

Why do all of these people want to be nurses? Have any of you experienced this?

Back when I was in nursing school there were plenty of 2nd career types in my class but they tended to be factory workers, truck drivers, farmers, military vets who were moving up to become RNs. A few had bachelors degrees but not like now.

I actually find it frightening and a little sad. Frightening cause I suspect this is a symptom of a very bad economy and terrible job market. Sad cause I know so many of the will struggle to find work after making huge sacrifices to get through nursing school.

Some of them are SHOCKED when I tell them it's a tough job market out there for RNs and they will have to work hard and keep on their toes to find any job. Some simply refuse to believe me (nearly all the direct entry MSN students, ironic since they will struggle in our local market more than the others). Others already have this figured out and are already bitter about it.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Thanks for your service/sacrifice. I'm glad you are able to work!

* Back at you. I wasn't for quite a while. Took lots of rehab and PT/OT. You didn't fly C-130s or A-10s did you?

RC-135s & C-5s.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
As "bad" as nursing education may be patient outcomes are still higher with advancing levels of education.

*** I haven't seen any reliable, unbiased evidence of that.

3.I have no problem with the CC-based nursing classes then completion of the bachelor-level work at a college/university. I do have a slight issue with allowing individuals to complete the first part and then begin working while they finish the bachelor-level work.

*** Why do you have a "slight issue" with those new RNs working?

4. I don't have a BSN

*** No BSN? Did you do a direct entry masters APN program?

^ there are programs like this in my area.

My program had us in clinics, HH, group homes...they gave us nursing in acute care and in the community...they stressed that nursing is very multifaceted. I choose this particular nursing program because of this. I am aware that many may not have this opportunity, which is even MORE unfortunate.

If you become a nursing czar, sign me up to help you...you as well PMFB-RN...I would love to overhaul nursing education! There is a need for a reality check on "real nursing."

What program did you do and where?

Specializes in Hospice.

I think nursing is a good field . I was a 2nd degree student. I knew it was a difficult job market when i came in to it. I think we should be Ecstatic about all these professionals coming in to our profession. Nursing for so long has been seen as kind of a second class job, a job that is a good fit for single moms and other blue collar workers seeking a change. As nursing is trying to advance its professionalism i think we want people who know how to present themselves as a professional. I graduated in 2010 and all of classmates found jobs within a few months(i was in a 2nd degree program that had 30 students from across the country) . my classmates had impressive backgrounds, to the point i thought how the heck did i get in ? :) and are doing a wide variety of jobs within the nursing community. It was hard for me to get my first job, but since then even in a city with a tight job market there are plenty of opportunities out there. In my area its a little bleaker for ADN nurses as every hospital is a magnet hospital in the area. I think there is no difference between ADN or bsn nurses but i think this is the era that could make people who dream of BSN in 10 mandates a reality.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
In my area its a little bleaker for ADN nurses as every hospital is a magnet hospital in the area.

*** Magnet hospitals hire ADNs all the time. there is nothing about Magnet certification that requires hospitals to staff with BSNs.

Specializes in Hospice.

you are incorrect. they need to have 80 percent of their nurses BSN by 2020.

Specializes in CVICU.

*** Magnet hospitals hire ADNs all the time. there is nothing about Magnet certification that requires hospitals to staff with BSNs.

No but the Institute of Medicine recommends that organizations should strive to achieve 80% BSNs by 2020, so that says something!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
No but the Institute of Medicine recommends that organizations should strive to achieve 80% BSNs by 2020, so that says something!

*** The fact that the IOM is still advocating for expanding the capasity of nursing schools to meet the "shortage" of nurses tells me they are out of toutch.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
you are incorrect. they need to have 80 percent of their nurses BSN by 2020.

*** Not exactly. I found this:

The nation’s Magnet hospitals, which are recognized for nursing excellence and superior patient outcomes, have moved to require all nurse managers and nurse leaders to hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing by 2013. Settings applying for Magnet designation must also show what plans are in place to achieve the IOM recommendation of having an 80% baccalaureate prepared RN workforce by 2020. http://www.nursecredentialing.org

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am one of the people the original poster warned you about. I am 46 and I start a BSN program on the first of July. It took me a long time to decide to go into nursing but there were many factors combining to encourage me to make the move. A little background on me, then my decision points. BA Political Science, Masters of Aeronautical Science, Masters of Defense Decision Making and Planning (focusing on Middle Eastern Studies and Counter-Terrorism). I just wrapped up a successful 22 year career as an Air Force officer and aviator.

Decision Points:

1) When I retired from the Air Force, I was having a great time, supporting NASA. With government cutbacks, I was forced to retire 6 years earlier than I normally would have had to for a person of my rank.

2) I applied for over 22 aviation-related jobs with no solid leads, even with references from astronauts and airline pilot friends

3) A medical condition forced me to stop flying

4) Many of the jobs I probably could have done and been well-compensated for are in DC. My wife and I refused to battle DC traffic and ridiculous housing prices.

5) I've always been interested in the health sciences.

6) Even though I probably don't have to work with my government pension, I am a motivated person and love to learn

7) My wife is an RN-BSN. She has always been able to find work, with all of our moves around the country.

8) We do charity work in Central America with a group of friends that include doing clinics for poor people. I'd like to add a skill set to that.

9) I am a "people person" and am motivated to help others.

10) Rumor has it that nursing is a growth industry until 2020.

11) Last but not least, when I turn 60ish, if I want to do agency nursing 3-6 months a year and travel, ski, golf, go sailing the rest of the year, what's not to like?

Before I got sick I got laid off after 33 years with NO pension! I applied for every position within a 50 mile radius and got maybe 2 interviews...but then I am over 50 and at the top of the pay scale for my degree.

At least you have a pension.....and it's HEALTHCARE that is a growth industry not nursing specifically........that is inclusive of medical assistants and Certified nurses aides as well as the multitude of radiology and ultrasound/technology positions.

There is NO shortage of nurses...it is a non existent shortage based on inflated numbers that never occurred.

Your motivation is admirable.....thank you for your service:yes:...I wish you the best.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

What program did you do and where?

In PA. LaSalle University. The nursing school has had a neighborhood clinic for about 20 years. BSN and MSN students rotate through there for public health rotation, as well as other areas if public health, in addition to acute care. For public health, I did asthma education in a clinic that was affiliated within a children's hospital. The program was approved by the NIH...they had a partnership with the Nursing program.

There are several programs that have that component as well in the area...Drexel University is one I considered as well due to that component as well.

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