How hard is it to get your first nursing job?

Sour Lemon · Oct 9, 2017

I already have a Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, but took pre-reqs (Microbio, Chem, Nutrition, Medical Terminology, Bio etc.) because at one point I wanted to do PA school after graduating but life circumstances changed that route.
There are many nurses in my family from LPN - MSN and the field speaks to me on different levels as well (even while taking pre-reqs for PA, I always had the NP / PA debate internally).
However, since I'm older (36) and I'd basically have to do a 2nd BSN or MSN program (most likely an MSN because I wouldn't qualify for loans on a BSN since I already have a bachelor's degree), how difficult is the job market going to be for me?
My degree was in Psychology and I worked in a behavioral health field for about 2 years before transitioning to more business oriented roles.
Therefore, I've thought about Mental Health nursing since my chances of being hired might be higher because of the mental health experience.
However, I'll be honest, I'm not sure if that's the right fit for me. I'd really like to do trauma / ER or critical care nursing since I'm high energy and want to be in the "action" so to speak.
I'm really worried about taking on this debt though if I'm not going to get hired.
I've heard horror stories of new grads not finding work for up to 18 months. I've already been down the unemployment road which is another reason I'm seeking a career change for a more stable environment, so I don't want to be back in that position again.
What are your thoughts? Would it benefit me to go the MSN route since I already have most of the nursing pre-reqs and a bachelor's degree?
Will I have a hard time finding work? And, how easy is it to transition from one specialty to another?

An MSN for an entry level position is of little to no value. As far as how difficult it is to find work, that depends on how flexible you are. If you're willing to work anywhere and do anything, you'll find work in five minutes. The more restrictions and requirements you have, the longer it will take.

remotefuse · Oct 9, 2017

A lot of your chances ofnfinding a job will depend on your location, I'm willing to bet there are other pressing reasons for someone taking 18 months to find a job. When I graduated from nursing school, everyone in my class of 25 already had job offers. This was for a associate program, so a masters really wouldn't make that big of a difference for your first job.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2017

I was able to get loans for my second Bachelor's degree in nursing. I got 12,500 per year. You are not eligible to get as much as you did for your first degree.

In some parts of the country it is harder for nurses to get jobs. But I'm not hearing 18 months anywhere. In most areas, nursing is a pretty good field.

I work psych, and I would not have had to get a BSN for it. Most of the nurses I work with do not have a BSN. But I did it, because the ABSN program was actually shorter for me.

cyclone67 · Oct 10, 2017

I just graduated from a Master's entry level program; I took that route because of the timing and the GI Bill was paying for it so the extra $$$ was not an issue for me. I am 50 and had no issues getting a job at all. Location, location, location -- that's the key. I am in the Pacific Northwest and new graduate positions are plentiful. I also found that being a bit older (OK, way older) worked in my advantage because I have a lot of unique experiences that made me stand out a bit from the pack. Research your area if you won't be able to relocate and if you can relocate -- you should have no issues.

thatgirl2478 · Oct 10, 2017

You should be able to qualify for LOANS, just not Federal Grants - though it will depend on how much you borrowed for your first degree.

How difficult it is to find a job is going to depend on your location. Take a look at your local online job postings to get an idea of what the demand is like for your area.

Look into the MSN program requirements. Around me, all the schools require you to be a licensed RN already. Also, depending on your school, the science requirements may be too old to transfer over. That's totally school and program dependent.

If you have the basic prerequisites and the schools don't care about the age of them, you may be able to transfer into a standard BSN program as a 'Junior'. Depending on your local market and aspirations, you might consider a 2 year ADN degree - you'd still be an RN but for a lot less $$. Depending on your area you may be able to be hired with 'just' an ADN. Many hospitals in my area hire ADN's still and will help pay for your BSN within 6years.

nightingale4me · Oct 10, 2017

An MSN for an entry level position is of little to no value. As far as how difficult it is to find work, that depends on how flexible you are. If you're willing to work anywhere and do anything, you'll find work in five minutes. The more restrictions and requirements you have, the longer it will take.

For the MSN, I was interested in NP programs. So you're saying that an MSN NP program doesn't have value for someone who wasn't an RN / BSN first?

I just want to be sure I'm understanding you correctly.

Sour Lemon · Oct 10, 2017

For the MSN, I was interested in NP programs. So you're saying that an MSN NP program doesn't have value for someone who wasn't an RN / BSN first?
I just want to be sure I'm understanding you correctly.

The question you're asking is a bit of a "hot topic". Use the search function (top right corner) and you'll find very spirited answers on both sides. It's not something I would do ...especially with a goal to work in trauma/critical care and existing school-loan debt.

thatgirl2478 · Oct 10, 2017

First you have to understand that there are 5 ways of becoming an 'RN':

- diploma school (increasingly rare)

- LPN > RN completion programs

- Associates Degree (commonly called an ADN or ASN)

- Bachelors Degree (BSN)

- Accelerated BSN ( for people who already have a Bachelors, may take 1 - 2 years depending on program)

All of those avenues will allow you to sit for the NCLEX RN test and, if you pass that, you're a licensed RN.

NOW - MSN's / NP are a different beast. Many will divide the MSN for nursing education from the MSN for NP/FamilyNP - sometimes those are DNP (doctorate of NP). MOST of the programs I've researched (admittedly only in IL) require that you have an RN license and I believe MOST of them require a BSN as well. There's a lot of debate on if you should have RN EXPERIENCE before becoming a NP (personally thing that being a NURSE is a huge part of being a NP so it's probably a good idea, but other people disagree and that's not something I'm going to get into right now in this thread). MOST of the programs I've looked at require a minimum of 1 year RN experience.

Now. The way I read your question is: "If I'm working in a hospital, on a floor, in a traditional 'nurse' role, wouldn't they value an RN/MSN higher than an RN/BSN." Not necessarily. In that kind of role you'll probably be given the same consideration as an RN/ADN, especially as a NEW nurse. If I'm off on my understanding of your question, let me know.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 10, 2017

FYI: I got loans for my second bachelor AND a second Masters. Subsidized and subsidized through FAFSA

nightingale4me · Oct 11, 2017

Now. The way I read your question is: "If I'm working in a hospital, on a floor, in a traditional 'nurse' role, wouldn't they value an RN/MSN higher than an RN/BSN." Not necessarily. In that kind of role you'll probably be given the same consideration as an RN/ADN, especially as a NEW nurse. If I'm off on my understanding of your question, let me know.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I was referencing 2nd Degree BSN or Direct Entry MSN (and obtaining BSN along the way) to become an NP as my ultimate goal (and have debated which makes more sense from a financial and professional stance).

I was doing all of the pre-reqs for PA and doing patient contact hours at a hospital for the schools I was interested in. So, I'm interested in a similar role (mid-level practitioner) as an NP, but obviously even in direct entry schools you're required to get your BSN first before finishing the program.

Accolay · Oct 11, 2017

I'd say: get into either a BSN or MSN program whatever works for you. I would recommend anyone get at least the BSN over the Associates, or if you're going to get the Associates be in a program that makes it easy for you to to transfer into at least the BSN.

As others have said the job is about how picky your are as to what kind of job it is, and location location location.

FWIW: I started as a Nursing Assistant in a Med/Surg floor and there was a job waiting for me as soon as I passed the NCLEX.

Have you thought about acute psychiatry services? In some places, these are the emergency department of the psych world and definitely "in the action." They usually want you to have some experience in mental health nursing though, and at least some basic nursing skills down i.e. giving meds etc.

As I understand, or at least where I work, it's fairly easy to get into Psych since sometimes there aren't a whole lot of people who think they want to work there. Some use those departments as stepping stones to get their foot in the door for easier in-house department transitions in the hospital of their choice (but if you don't really want to work in Psych, it's kind of a jerk move)