Is Nursing A Competitive Profession?

[Soliloquy]

Do you think that nursing is a competitive profession? By that I mean, I often hear that getting into nursing is tough and passing the boards is tough. But after you become a nurse, do you feel as though there is a lot of competition in the workplace to perform and do exceedingly well? Lately, we've been talking a lot about bullying and nursing. Do you find yourself somehow competing with your coworkers and others in the healthcare profession on some level to prove your knowledge base or your competence?

[Flatline, BSN, RN]

I am continuously told by many experienced nurses that there is big big demand of nurse job market, especially there will be a large amount of nurses who will retired within the next few years. But I also heard from new grad students mentioning about the job finding difficulties. Probably few hospital want to hire new grad nurses....

The problem with new grads is the lack of ideal jobs. Every new grad wants a baby catching, flight trauma, super fantabulous job and whine when they can't get that. Might have to work in a less desirable unit in a less desirable facility for a little bit right out of school.

What you do not hear is from all the new grads who got a job, they are busy working.

[Flatline, BSN, RN]

I have found that the more specialized you become the more competitive it becomes. Being a specialty expert is super competitive. Especially once you start writing, speaking, and influencing policies and standards.

[LovingPeds, MSN, APRN, NP]

What are the Coveted positions? would you mind to elaborated more? Thank you.

Notice ‘coveted' is in quotes. There are positions people compete for, but that's more because certain positions work with life style or preference. Nursing is varied. There are no coveted positions to those who have been in it a while except someone wanting to change shifts worked.

New grads often covet positions in critical care areas and many start to work there only to realize it's not for them. People have the impression that certain areas of nursing are more valued than others and that's not true. ICU nursing, pediatric nursing, and long term care nursing are three different areas, but no less valued to the patients and families who come across them than any other.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

In ICU I have found it to be competitive. I worked CVICU for years and everyone wants to be the rock star, have all the skills, take the highest acuity patients, know all the drugs and mechanisms, get into grad school and so on. I was one of them so I know. I made it to grad school but I'm kind of worn out. I see similar competitiveness in informatics as well...everyone wants to shine and be the best. It's kind of wearing. Still, in order to survive you have to play the game and I've always been a competitive person so I play it.