Is This A Good time to Start Nursing School

bluemalibu · Mar 10, 2009

would it be smart to quit my job during these desperate economic times to start nursing school?
I also wanted to know how is the job outlook for new nurses during these economic times?

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Nursing job opportunities are now just like the real estate market... It's whatever your LOCAL market dictates it to be.

We've had both new grads and seasoned RN's alike complaining that they've been actively searching for employment for over a year... in their area, there is no such thing as a nursing shortage.

Here in our part of California jobs are pretty scarce and yet there is still a two-year wait to get into a NS program. You might contact a few of the hospitals in your area and ask how many new grads they will be accepting into their next orientation cycle, and how many applied for their last round of training vs the number that applied.

Here's a thread covering the topic:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/how-long-we-375985.html

~Blue

olli975 · Mar 10, 2009

Well, it all depends on how much your tuitions are, how much you make at your job, how good the job outlook and the salary for RNs are in your area. I did my BSN part time while working part time. It took me 3 years though. If you can do it as an accelerated program, and have some savings or someone to support you, go for it... At my old job, the most I had was $19/hr, now as a new grad I have $28/hr (+ differentials) It was totally worth for me to become an RN.

Prettyladie · Mar 10, 2009

i would say since you have a biology degree you might can find a job in a hospital lab doing S O M E T H I N G. but yes most students dont work in the accelerated program, heck most people dont work during the regular track i know i am, but if i was doing accelerated then no i wouldnt work. but as far as the job market here in dallas, the jobs are booming, hiring new grads and experienced ones, so it just depends on where you are located.

andpeggy · Mar 10, 2009

Hi Lana,

I feel your pain, and have had many discussions like this with myself over the past year. I can’t speak for whether or not it’s worth it to leave your 8-5 job now and do an accelerated program, but check and see what kinds of financial aid you might be eligible for. There might be a way to swing it with loans, or maybe even sponsorship programs at a local hospital? Be creative when trying to figure funding.

Also, I know that the market is really rough for new grads in Minnesota right now (where I am), but I keep telling myself that I have no clue what the market will be like when I finally *finish* nursing school in 2012. Try to think long-term, if you can.

Good luck!!

Lola

teddybear77 · Mar 10, 2009

I would wait until you start the program and then see how you are doing in your classes before you totally quit your job. I just graduated in December from an associates degree program and I worked full time during the whole program and graduated with honors! It is very hard and stressful but you do what you have to do!

lana2010 · Mar 10, 2009

Where are u located olli975?

HM2VikingRN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

I worked 30 hours/week during my accelerated program. Where there is a will there is a way...

Consider weekend work, evening work. Make sure you have your family ducks in a row. I had classmates who moved back with their parents to cut costs. On balance the gain was worth the short term pain.

Southern Fried RN · Mar 10, 2009

I think you should do nursing school. You are a lucky person to have gotten accepted into a program, and an accelerated one to boot. Look at it like this---in 5 years is that 8-5 job going to have as much career/salary advancement as nursing? Is that 8-5 job even going to be around with the ecomony? Worst case scenario you give up your slot in the program, then what if you lose your current job? Then you'll be in a hard spot. Going back now will invest in your future.

If you really want to be a nurse, you will figure out a way to make it happen. I knew someone who had 2 preschoolers when she started, then got pregnant back to back during the program. And a worthless husband. She made an A or B in every class and managed to work a few weekend shifts a month as a nurse assistant. You can do it!

cclem1 · Mar 10, 2009

Hi,

I also have a Biology degree and can't wait to get started on nursing. I was accepted to an accelerated program for this past fall here in the Boston area, but backed out last minute. The program I was about to begin was very expensive (more than $60,000) for the BSN and I have two young kids ( a 6 month old at the time) in addition, I'd heard the market for new grad RNs here was/is really tough. I didn't want to get out of school with all that debt and then not find a job. I've personally decided to apply to ASN programs here and go the longer, more cost effective route. Many people have told me that ASN nurses and BSN nurses make the same to start. Anyway, thats another topic. So, all that being said, my advice to you would be that if you don't have kids and are w/o significant obligation, I would do the accelerated program, no question. You can take out loans for the program and living expenses and find some sort of side work to make some extra money (be creative). I plan on waiting tables for a little while to help. The most common advice I've heard, especially if the job market for new grads is tough in your area, is to get a job as a nurses aid. I will definitely be taking that advice! I wish I had done an accelerated program before I had kids. I think a Bio major is the perfect candidate for it.. oh and do it before you pre-reqs won't qualify anymore!! Good luck!!

Epona · Mar 10, 2009

Hi. In response to the original question: It depends on your market area if nursing jobs are in demand. Overall you hear that the health sector is safe, but in my area, a whole dept. shut down on one floor and two of the large hospitals in my area have a freeze on hiring RN's right now. It was not the case two years ago when I went to RN school. Jobs were plentiful. This economy is beginning to affect once safe sectors.

Working a job-- I had a close friend in RN school who did that and it took everything out of her. She was going non-stop and at one point started to get skipped heart beats, headaches, anxiety attacks, and so forth. I did not work. I have loans to pay back, but I am Ok with that. I could not work AND go to RN school. School takes everything you have. It's the hardest thing I ever did. I was in a BSN program.

Hope that sheds some light on your questions. Good luck!

lana2010 · Mar 10, 2009

Thank you CCLEM1, I hope that everything works out for you with the ASN program. I really appreciated your post it's so good to have someone who can truly relate to your situation. Oh, did you ever use your biology degree?