Is there any hope for nurses in the future? Or is it all just going to get worse?

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 22, 2009

If "what" is going to get worse? Are you talking about the job market? ... Or are you talking about other things, such as working conditions?

The long-term job market is excellent for nurses. The bottom line is that society needs nurses because there are always going to be people who need healthcare and someone to provide it. However, just as the current economic situation has caused layoffs and job market problems for other fields, it has caused problems for nurses, too. Employers simply haven't had the money to hire as many nurses as they used to -- and experienced nurses who had decreased their work hours to only part time employement or semi-retired have filled the few open positions.

However, eventually the economy will stablize ... old nurses will retire ... etc. and more nurses will get hired again. In many places, that is already starting to happen. My hospital's orientation class in September was the largest class to date this year.

As for working conditions ...well ... that will evolve as time goes on, too. In some places, they are better than others. That's true of any field you might go into. As an individual, you just have to be flexible enought to adjust and find a niche or particular job that works well for you.

I wouldn't let such matters dictate your career choice. Do the kind of work that you want to do in your heart. There is almost always a way to cope with these problems that come up if you are flexible and patient. Learning to cope is just another part of maturing and developing as a person. It's a normal part of life. If you choose to do work that you like, you'll be more likely to be successful in coping with whatever challenges come your way.

However, if you choose a career that involves work that does not particularly appeals to you ... you will not be motivated to cope well, be flexible, etc. You'll just be miserable -- facing career challenges in a job you never really liked to begin with. That's not a good position to be in.

City of Roses · Sep 22, 2009

Are you talking about the job availability now? nursing shortage? The economy is affecting jobs for sure but it will get better (my feeling). I agree with llg's posting. It helps if you make your decision a heartfelt one. I just graduated from nursing school and they are not hiring nurses in the area that I am living in. It is discouraging to keep looking for jobs even a year after graduation. It is a challenging time but I tried to make it a healthy one. I do what I love to do. I take classes and workout daily.

I found jobs related to my work field. I never doubted that the hardship I am experiencing is only temporary. Nursing to me is what I plan on doing and will be doing. In the meantime I will cross out my life to-do list while I wait. I apologize I cannot tell you what the future for nurses will look like. However, two facts are true and you could let this marinate. Nurses will always be needed because people will always be sick.

It doesn't matter what career choice you make....sudden unexpected events happens and what will you do then? The idea I'm trying to convey is that if you decided to change your mind and become a fashion magazine editor and you were my sister I will tell you the same thing. Stick to your decision, believe it in, make a list of coping skills (try a 100) and have it handy because you'll need it, practice being flexible like a rubber-band and go out there and kick butt. Good luck on making your decision. Thank you for posting your question.

City of Roses · Sep 22, 2009

If you are concern with job availability in the future you can always look online and scan the current job market for nursing....So far, for new grads (tough-ness) for experience nurses (looks pretty good).

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2009

You might also want to try taking the CNA course because you will experience first hand if nursing is the career choice you want to make. You have plenty of time to take the course and also prerequisites into the program. By then the economy should change and hopefully you'll be able to land a job as a nurse. Good Luck