Is anyone worried?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

I think there is a certainly a level of fear for all graduates, nursing or not. The job market hasn't been as friendly to recent graduates as it used to be. I know many people who graduated with Bachelor's in various degrees and have had a hard time finding jobs. However, I think that an important part of securing a job when you graduate is NETWORKING. A lot of jobs can be obtained through who you know (from my experience), and it presents a lot of job opportunities when you utilize relationships you have. Everyone has an education these days, and you're against a competitive job market, so having a personal connection into any company you're trying to get in to can give you a better advantage against other applicants.

tbbtpeach · Jun 5, 2014

It's always scary and worrisome to look ahead and think about all of the if's. But, honestly, you don't know how the job market will be when you graduate. There may suddenly be a lack of nurses...or not. There is (and you will hear this all the time and one day it will finally click) no point in worrying about something that you can't control. If you pray, pray about it. Study hard and be the best candidate you can be. Volunteer, get your foot in the door, make a good impression on professors and instructors. Those are the only things that you can do right now to affect your future. :) Good luck!

ksw1978 · Jun 5, 2014

Thank you both

My aim is to work in the ER, and hopefully focus more on pedi patients as I have over 20 years professional nannying experience with infants through middle school age. I work well with children, and I have dealt with many illnesses and emergencies over my career. So it seems a natural progression to use this experience and a few years of schooling to achieve the next step in my career! I'm hoping to volunteer in the ER, then work there as a CNA, then hopefully as an RN, then hopefully while I complete the FNP! It's a 5 year plan and I agree, working as hard as I can, combined with networking as much as I can, should result in me getting where I want to be!

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Just keep a positive attitude! There ARE job opportunities. You just might need to dig a little further to find them. I wish you the best of luck :)

ksw1978 · Jun 5, 2014

Thank you! I'm happy to have found Allnurses... I think I'll be here a lot :cheeky: It'll help keep the crazies at bay!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

There are plenty of job opportunities for NPs out there. Especially in the changing health care system. A NP is rapidly becoming the first face in health care instead of a doctor. They are not as expensive as a doctor and insurance companies do not have to reimburse as much when a patient sees them over a doctor. In some settings, a doctor is only seen if there is a big issue. Many doctor practices are hiring NPs to help with increasing patient loads. So there is a difference in the job market as opposed to the RN where decreasing reimbursements are causing hospitals to reduce their staffing. Until the health care system is fixed this will be the reality in the medical field. The first thing that gets cut no matter what company it is, is staffing. Whether is retail or hospitals, staffing is their biggest cost, and will get cut first. I do not foresee a problem being had with NPs finding jobs.

ksw1978 · Jun 5, 2014

That's good to read. It's easy to get yourself stressed out over the future, especially when you want to succeed so much in your chosen career.

Leonardsmom,LPN · Jun 5, 2014

Fortunately I am fairly certain that I will have a job waiting for me when I finally get my RN. I am working as a CNA and have a fairly guaranteed position with the company. By the time I graduate they should have their third if not already their fourth location open. I might have to relocate to one of the other facilities and might have to do nights for a time, but at this time I do have job security for the present and the future. As said networking is important and if you can get a job some place while you are going through school it is usually easier to be promoted within the company. They will already know you, and know the type of worker that you are.

daetor2012 · Jun 5, 2014

Yes, from the multiple posts on this website about there not being an actual nursing shortage it makes me worry about job prospects once I graduate. But as others have said you never know how things will change by the time you graduate and get licensed, so you just have to try to not worry and hope for the best.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2014

KSW..you claim there is "no nursing shortage" where you live. Do you have evidence of this? Are you referring to a certain type of nursing? When you claim things you need actual evidence. Not just what you hear from random people. If you talk to someone working at a certain hospital in Boston on a certain unit..yes..they may not need nurses there. However if you go to a LTC facility or a psych unit or a med surg unit there may be openings. Yes you need to be professional, hard worker, flexible, and RELIABLE. If you are those things then more than likely you will find a job. It may not be on the exact unit in the exact hospital with the exact hours you want. I don't know anyone who actually WANTS to be a nurse and works hard with an active nursing license who cannot find a job. However I don't claim that is evidence for or against. Simply MY experience. Best of luck.

verene, MSN · Jun 7, 2014

I worry about it some what because I am so many years away from my eventual goals. But on the flip side, I think I'll have a good chance. I have non-nursing work experience that has given me some very valuable skills, and I currently work in the mental health field, and volunteer with hospice. Both of which are areas I could see myself having a long-term career in, and are areas where, at least in my neck of the wood, there is pretty consistent demand for trained providers. Hopefully the demand will remain. If it doesn't, I have nothing against moving to another part of the country.