Is nursing a practical career choice?

[paper54]

Hello! I am very new to this website, I just made my account to ask this question. I want advice from real nurses. I am a highschool student. This fall I am attending my county's vocational technical school for the nursing program. Upon completion I will be a cna/gna. I really want to be a nurse, it sounds so rewarding. My goal is to be an rn. But I'm hearing a lot of negative commentary about the profession. People say that there is no nursing shortage and millions of nurses are out of jobs. Also Obamacare will have a negative impact on nurses. I'm so confused and am searching for some real advice. I really would love to be a nurse, but is it going to be possible or worth it? Thank you in advance! And thank you for what you do, I hope to be like you all one day:)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If we had crystal balls, we could give you an answer. But, no one can actually predict what is going to happen as a result of all the changes in health care... BTW, it all began long before Obama was elected, so I don't know why everyone is calling it Obamacare rather than Health Care Reform.

Despite the widespread media hype, the predicted nursing shortage never happened. Some parts of the US do have a shortage, but they probably also have a shortage of teachers, attorneys, podiatrists, etc.... because no one wants to live there - LOL. In most larger cities, hospitals are only hiring BSN nurses.

Becoming a nurse is hard work. It's easy to spot nursing students on campus - they're the ones in the library late at night when everyone else is at a kegger. Working as a nurse is hard - can be high stress and very physically taxing. We work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays. But - if you have a passion for nursing, it's still the best job in the world.