I'm becoming discouraged about becoming a nurse :/ How will I get a job?

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I am starting college this summer, taking the ADN prerequisites. I plan to get my bachelors but can't until I graduate nursing school and my family moves to another state. There's only one community college near us and it's ADN so pleae don't say "ohh just goi straight for your BSN"...I wish I could but I can't right now.

I would love to be a nurse. I think it's the most amazing and challenging career and I'd love interacting with people and learning all about the medical field. However, I have ran across a few threads that have discouraged me a little about nursing and it's irritating to me.

Everything said about nursing contradicts it's self! I don't understand how there's suppose to be some 'nursing shortage', everywhere you turn there's nurses! EVERYONE is going to nursing school because of the 'nursing shortage and recession proof' propaganda! But now a BSN is becoming the minimum requirement for bedside hospital nurses, I mean come on...if there was a nursing shortage then hospitals would not be that picky. I'm so scared that if this economy continues, and with as much as abundance as there is of the nurse population...that a nurses salary could drift down to minimum wage because some of these experienced nurses posting on this site are making it seem that way....Not to mention how hard it will be finding a job.

I was so excited about being a nurse because it's a profession I know I'd love...but if I'm not able to find a job or barely scrape buy on finances I wonder if it's even worth it :crying2: I mean there's so many nurses out there that complain and hate there job and are just in it for money....while some of us actually want to be a nurse. It's not fair!:yawn:

But what alternate field could you go into that has plentiful jobs? The current economy affects every field, so you might as well just do what you want, and apply until you get a job.

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Specializes in FNP.

None of us has a crystal ball. You rolls the dice and takes your chances.

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Specializes in infusion, PACU, GI mod sed.

There's lots of jobs in anchorage Alaska...I found it colder and more dangerous to drive in the winters in Ohio where I attended nursing school. The BS nurses only earn a couple of dollars more than 2 year RN nurses. Get your 2 years degree, work in Alaska 2 years and you can work anywhere...you only have to work 20 hours to get benefits...it's a low tax state..I had to make $12.00 per hour more in new York to match my Alaska paycheck. Also Alaska has a permanent fund program..you're paid to live there by the oil companies. Good luck! Floor nursing is not what you think...once you work on the floor you will want to do another type of nursing.

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There's lots of jobs in anchorage Alaska...I found it colder and more dangerous to drive in the winters in Ohio where I attended nursing school. The BS nurses only earn a couple of dollars more than 2 year RN nurses. Get your 2 years degree, work in Alaska 2 years and you can work anywhere...you only have to work 20 hours to get benefits...it's a low tax state..I had to make $12.00 per hour more in new York to match my Alaska paycheck. Also Alaska has a permanent fund program..you're paid to live there by the oil companies. Good luck! Floor nursing is not what you think...once you work on the floor you will want to do another type of nursing.

Isn't the economy horrible in Alaska though? I guess that would make since though. And I love Alaska, lived there when I was little (:

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Specializes in infusion, PACU, GI mod sed.

No, the economy is great...the film industry is arriving for their tax breaks, the housing and construction is strong...many new restaurants building up Alaska ie, Fridays, applebys, etc...Sarah Palin did a good job creating new jobs...nurses start at 30.00$ to start in hospitals...good luck

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No, the economy is great...the film industry is arriving for their tax breaks, the housing and construction is strong...many new restaurants building up Alaska ie, Fridays, applebys, etc...Sarah Palin did a good job creating new jobs...nurses start at 30.00$ to start in hospitals...good luck

Wow thanks for the heads up! I might just pick up after my schooling and go out there to start my career:lol2:

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Lots of openings in rural parts of middle America as well. Didn't somebody post recently about a $20K bonus still available in KY ? I kind of chuckle when I read posts about the lack of jobs for new grads in NYC or L.A.

"Hit 'em where they ain't"

-Wee Willie Keeler

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I graduated in December and took and passed boards in Feb. Within two weeks I had several job offers as a new grad and got to choose the one I wanted. They all required a little drive (45 min.) but it was worth it to get a job I like. A lot depends on where you live but dont let the job market keep you from doing something you want to do! All jobs are hurting at the moment. Every person in my graduating class got jobs. If possible start hunting for an extern job during your second year of school. This will get your foot in the door. I didnt do that and it didnt hurt me but I wish I had just for the experience. Stay positive and keep us posted!

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Specializes in Emergency.

OP, I completely understand how you feel. I have one more pre-req and am slated to start my nursing core this August. I should be graduating in Dec 2012, and worry that I may not be able to find a job. However, my husband can't find decent work where we live now, so we are fully prepared to move to wherever I am offered a job upon graduation. My biggest concern is that I won't have had the opportunity to get my foot in the door somewhere now. I am planning to go straight into a RN-BSN program and hope that will help. I am also constantly researching hospitals in our top choices of places to live, checking out their job openings, and keeping tabs on who seems to be hiring new grads.

I may have decided on nursing later in life, but I know it is what I am meant to do, and I am going to do it!!

Good luck to you, and to us all!

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campercass: it's awful this economy, but it should keep us from doing our best and moving forward. i say, anywhere you can get a job and experience go lol after that there will be tons of places you can work. i am going to have to toughen up and quit whining and just kick all those prerequisites buts so i can pass the nclex!

now i feel silly because...i'm not even in the program yet and i'm whining about not being able to find jobs. lol.

but thanks to everyone who posted on this thread! all your answers really helped a lot!

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