Is nursing still a good career choice?

nursingstudentCSU · May 30, 2012

I'm not positive, but based on what my university is telling us and the research I've done, the nursing field will expand drastically and there will be a shortage of about 5,000 nurses. With that in mind, I think nursing is still a great choice. If there is a shortage, that means many places will be looking for well educated nurses. Our local hospitals are trying to weed out nurses with associate degrees by paying or allowing them time to go back to school to get their BSN. Therefore, if you can, I would recommend going and getting a BSN to begin with :) If nursing is what you love, go for it! I'm sure there will always be a job in either a hospital, doctors office, or nursing home. People are always going to need doctors and nurses! That's just my opinion though and it may not be 100% accurate!

bahuber5477 · May 30, 2012

nursing is a safe career and there is always a shortage

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 30, 2012

I agree with CSU student. The disclaimer to that is that both CSU student and I are in California (I think), while you are in Dallas. When you decide to enter a new career, especially one that requires so much preparation, it is important to consider the economic conditions in your area that you live in.

While many nurses can't find jobs, those that do are paid well. IN MY AREA, at least. In other areas of the country, nurses aren't paid so well.

I believe that when the economy fixes itself, nursing positions will be available. (My opinion, No flames, please) Right now, hospitals aren't hiring in spite of need due to budget constraints and because there are so many people working because they have to, but who would be retired if the economy were better.

I'm a former SAHM and thought nursing was super flexible, but, now I think that teachers and nurses both have some flexibility, but neither is ideal. I say this because nurses often work 12's and overnights, which is a drawback to the supposed flexibility. It's almost like an illusion of flexibility, in the same manner that people think teachers are off at 3, and don't work weekends, holidays or summers. That isn't really the whole story.

Regarding finding a job if you don't work right away, that could have some drawbacks, but that alone wouldn't stop me from completing my degree is everything else fell into place.

chiflavored · May 30, 2012

I agree with the above posts. Being a pre-nursing student myself (I start entry level FNP program this fall), I have too wondered about the opportunities that my chosen career will give. What I've found through researching and interviewing administrators is that the nursing field has endless possibilities. The one thing that they've stressed is that one must keep an open mind. You can't limit yourself to just one demographic area. I see in your post that you are willing to work in both urban and rural area and that's great. Relocation is a possibility also. I say you go for it if you are looking for a change in career. Best of luck!

LovinLife28 · May 30, 2012

I look at it like this. What is said about nursing can be said for many other fields as well. If you want to go into nursing..I say go for it because at the end of the day, this economy is wrecking havoc on most careers. I have friends in business, finance and the sciences who have graduated with BS and BA degrees and they are still working their same jobs they did when they were in school. Nursing has changed from when I first started my journey but now that I am halfway through my program, I am glad I did it, even if it takes me longer to find a job. Good luck in whatever you choose!

manskette · May 30, 2012

Wow! Thank you for the info and encouragement! I am not sure if nursing is what I will love...I guess there is only one way to find out...and that is to try!

Also, are ADN graduates at a disadvantage? I thought that was the better choice simply so I can start with less of a financial investment. Any thoughts?

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 30, 2012

My opinion and observation is that a BSN will give a greater advantage, espeically if from a well connected/respected university. But, if I got into the ADN and not the BSN program, I'd simply do a bridge afterward.

I'm actually like chiflavored, though, and actually want to become an FNP. One step at a time, for me, though! What she said about not limiting yourself is so true. Be prepared to travel up to an hour for work and be prepared to work sub acute / LTC /SNF / Home Health / Corrections / etc and there should be opportunities. In my area, at least, this is the reality.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · May 30, 2012

I wanted to become a nurse to get the best of both worlds...a meaningful career with flexible scheduling...and the opportunity to be home with my babies more that I could as a teacher.

I don't know where this "flexible scheduling" business comes in. New grads generally have to take what they can get.

The economy is getting better...veeerrrryyyy sloooowwwwwllllllyyy.

Blakbuttrfly · May 30, 2012

goodmorning all....it truly depends on your area. eventhough i wont be starting the program until this fall as well (ccbc) i always research about nursing jobs and careers, additional education, and pay scales in different states. in my area (md, dc) their are tons of jobs and their are tons of jobs for new grads. below is a excerpt from the ehow website regarding nursing ..... as always it depends on the area. i had a friend who graduated several years ago and before graduation she knew her plan was to move out of md with 3 kids and all and after passing the nclex she started shopping around online for jobs in other states and eventually moved to florida. so the jobs are out their its just how serious are you to get it.

"registered nurses are licensed professionals who treat patients and educate them and the public about different health conditions. employment of registered nurses is projected to rise by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the

u.s. department of labor

read more: schools for registered nurses | ehow.com schools for registered nurses | ehow.com"

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 30, 2012

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community.

To answer your question......Well.........It depends, Nursing is a great career. BUT....the economy has played havoc with this profession as well. New grads are having trouble finding jobs. Many have been unemployed for 14 to 18 months and still can't find jobs. Many hospitals are not hiring new grads as the cost so much to train. Some hospitals are not hiring New grads with an ADN/ASN because there is such a plethora of BSN grads out there....as well as there is a movement for BSN only entry and many hospitals are "Magnet" and are only hiring BSN new grads.

Flexible schedules? Yes they are flexible alright......... :rolleyes:

They are very clear that YOU need to be flexible about working 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, weekends, birthdays, snow storms, and hurricanes.

I worked straight full time (3 12's) nights. My babies were always in mine to my husbands care and I never spent a dime on child care and I got to do all the class parties/parade/activities when the were small. No I am home all day to keep my newly promoted teenagers in line.

Nursing is hard. Nursing is brutal. The reality of humanity in all it's glory and ugiliness can be over whelming. a requent contributor to AN wrote an article.....For Those Considering A Career In Nursing.... it's a great read.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/those-considering-career-653061.html

The job market is VERY tight....some worse than others

Nurses Schools, Salaries, and Job Data[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]San Angelo[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$58,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,080[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+48%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]San Antonio[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$69,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]16,890[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-6%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Sherman[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$57,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,120[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+54%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Texarkana[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$65,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,620[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+65%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Tyler[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$60,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,820[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+65%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Victoria[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$50,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,380[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+61%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Waco[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$66,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,200[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+15%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Wichita Falls[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$57,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,190[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+18%[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Job-Hunt.org Home for job market information. Some of it is older but is a pretty good indicator. Some predictions about the "shortage" have staffing pretty stable until about 2018 when un baby boomers really are too old to work.

The Big Lie?

Without a doubt, the main source of frustration experienced by recently graduated and licensed but still unemployed nurses is what could be called "the big lie." In other words, the television commercials that encourage young people to become nurses -- and then abandon them for months (or years) without employment; and the educators who tell them that the associate's degree is perfectly adequate to guarantee employment, that they will have their pick of jobs when they graduate, and that there is plenty of time to get a BSN later on. Who knows whether it is greed, ignorance, or wishful thinking that underlies the fairy tales told to nursing students about their future job prospects? Whatever the motivation, the disillusionment of our new grads is palpable. The jobs they expected after all of their hard work just haven't materialized, and some grads are getting pretty desperate

Medscape: Medscape Access requires registration but it is free.

Has the Nursing Shortage Disappeared?

It's that time of year again. Graduating nursing students are preparing to take the NCLEX and are looking for their first jobs. This year, many are finding those first jobs in short supply.

Reports are rampant of new graduates being unable to find open positions in their specialty of choice, and even more shockingly, many are finding it tough to find any openings at all.

These new RNs entered school with the promise that nursing is a recession-proof career. They were told the nursing shortage would guarantee them employment whenever and wherever they wanted.

So what happened? Has the nursing shortage—that we've heard about incessantly for years—suddenly gone away?

The short term answer is clearly yes, although in the long term, unfortunately, the shortage will still be there.

The recession has brought a temporary reprieve to the shortage. Nurses who were close to retirement have seen their 401(k) portfolios plummet and their potential retirement income decline. They are postponing retirement a few more years until the economy—and their portfolios—pick up.

Many nurses have seen their spouses and partners lose their jobs and have increased their hours to make ends meet for their families. Some who left the profession to care for children or for other reasons have rejoined the workforce for similar reasons.

In addition, many hospitals are not hiring. The recession brought hiring freezes to healthcare facilities across the country, and many are still in effect. Help wanted ads for healthcare professionals dropped by 18,400 listings in July, even as the overall economy saw a modest increase of 139,200 in online job listings.

Has the Nursing Shortage Disappeared?

I wish you the very best on your nursing journey.

:redpinkhe

ImKosher · May 30, 2012

There may not be jobs in our area, but there are tons in another area. Students aren't willing to move for a job these days. They want to complain there's no jobs in their state but I assure you, my hospital has 30+ jobs available for nurses. That goes the same for every hospital in NC. There will always be work for Nurses. You just have to go where the work is.