Job outlook for RNs

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I live in Atlanta and I'm considering applying for nursing school in another year. I'm getting ready to begin working on my pre-reqs for the program. My main concern is finding a job. I have both a BA and an MA in other fields, however the jobs in my field just aren't there. I've been interested in nursing for a while and it seems even more appealing since I hear about the nursing shortage and all the jobs available. Is this still the case? I would hate to eventually make it through nursing school only to continue to have difficulty finding a job. I would prefer to stay in Atlanta, but I am open to relocating to another large city if need be. How are new nursing grads faring with finding local jobs? Is the job outlook expected to change significantly in the near future and if so how?

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I'm new and this was my first post so I'm wondering if posted my question in the wrong forum? Please let me know if I did!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

Well, if you want to work in Georgia, then this is the right place to post it. If you are interested in working anywhere you can find a job, then I'd say post it in the general nursing forum with a generic headline like "job outlook for new grad RN."

However, no one can really say what the future holds. What I do know is people are going to keep getting sick!!! If the economy really tanks, even more so I guess, then people will not be able to afford nursing school and banks won't be giving loans. What does this mean for nurses??? They will be even more in demand!!

Hope that helps!!

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Specializes in medical surgical.

First, there is no nursing shortage. The hospitals are as lean as possible. Nurses are doing more now than ever. At the hospital I was working at if census is not high enough someone is always sent home. No one is getting overtime. Pay in Georgia is very low. It may be better in Atlanta. I have 3 years experience and my hourly pay was 18/hour. I am currently unemployed and looking for a nursing position while I finish my MSN.

If you are going to do this I would advise to not go in debt for this endeavor. I know some nurses who have 500 dollar plus student loans. They are not making it. It is a very scary scenario as it cannot be dismissed EVER. Not even in bankruptcy. I am advising everyone I know to take minimal, if at all student loans. This would also include my MSN friends. I take a class or two at a time and pay cash. This economy scares me and we are in unchartered territory. For the first time EVER student loan debt is greater than consumer credit card debt.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
First, there is no nursing shortage. The hospitals are as lean as possible. Nurses are doing more now than ever. At the hospital I was working at if census is not high enough someone is always sent home. No one is getting overtime. Pay in Georgia is very low. It may be better in Atlanta. I have 3 years experience and my hourly pay was 18/hour. I am currently unemployed and looking for a nursing position while I finish my MSN.

If you are going to do this I would advise to not go in debt for this endeavor. I know some nurses who have 500 dollar plus student loans. They are not making it. It is a very scary scenario as it cannot be dismissed EVER. Not even in bankruptcy. I am advising everyone I know to take minimal, if at all student loans. This would also include my MSN friends. I take a class or two at a time and pay cash. This economy scares me and we are in unchartered territory. For the first time EVER student loan debt is greater than consumer credit card debt.

Well, I think the shortage exists in some areas and not in others. Yes, hospitals are trying to run as lean as possible, but they have to weigh that against potential lawsuits due to not having adequate staffing. My point is, they can only run so lean. Most of the nurses having a hard time finding something in my area are new grads, but new grads are still getting jobs. Experienced nurses seem to be doing fine. I have two jobs and just accepted a third after turning down two other offers.

Pay is low in Georgia, but so is the cost of living. And, I would not even consider a job offer of 18/hr, even when I was a new grad. "You" will pay me what I am worth or someone else will, doesn't matter to me!! For me, I'd say I make great money, like 4 times the amount of money I made prior to becoming an RN. I would hate to even think of where I might be had it not been for my decision to go to nursing school.

If the op is willing to move anywhere, I'd say the outlook for nursing is bright. If they live in an area with 6 nursing schools in a 10 mile radius, and the op refuses to move out of their area, well then I'd say the outlook for them would be dim; however, like I said earlier, no one knows what the future is going to hold.

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Thanks so much jb2u and gettingbsn2msn for your responses! I greatly appreciate your advice. @gettingbsn2msn, I agree. Student loan debt is scary! This is partly the reason why I'm considering nursing. I have my masters in education and debt from that degree that I'm struggling to pay back. Schools keep closing and pay keeps getting cut. I'm just not making it in this field and I feel that for the sake of my family I need to investigate other options. If I choose nursing school I will pay out of pocket and not accrue any more debt.

I am able to relocate if it's a good opportunity and a good place to live. Maybe that will give me more options.

Thanks again for the advice!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

you're welcome and good luck!!

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I'm wondering the same thing...

I'm still paying loans from my 1st degree :crying2:

In all honesty, do you think it will be hard for me to find a job as a new grad?

I don't have a lot of money and as a single parent, I have to take courses part time so it will take a long while. I'm hopeful that this will allow me time to save up money while I am at my current job

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I agree that there is still a nursing shortage in some areas. I worked at a rural hospital on Oklahoma, and they were desperate for nurses, as they weren't able to offer the money of bigger hospitals and therefore couldn't attract and retain many nurses. I also lived in the Dallas area, where it seems nearly impossible for a new grad ADN to find a job. From what I understand, the job market for new grad RNs in Atlanta is a little difficult, but there are plenty of other hospitals around the state and regionally that do hire new grads. The hospital I work at in Macon hires many new grads, and we have a bunch who commute or move from Atlanta as well. I'm not sure what the job market will be like in a couple of years, but I would say if you are open to commuting or relocating, then you would probably stand a good chance of finding employment somewhere. Good luck!

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