Just talked to a nurse- I feel so down & anxious

[StudentNrseMcFarland]

I haven't been able to post much recently, but lurk when I have the chance.

Today, I scheduled a lot of my school-required medical tests and appointments and was excited to start the day because, as unpleasant as the dentist and getting shots are, it's one step closer to school.

I'm sitting in the car after my second Hep B vaccine crying. Not because it hurt (it did, a little!) but because of the nurse I had.

After years of prereqs, applying to schools, visits, decisions, soul-searching and number crunching, I'm about to begin apply for hefty private loans- as a second degree student I don't qualify for a lot of federal aid- and borrow a huge chunk of money to realize my dream and start my program this summer.

When I handed the nurse who administered the shot my school form to sign, she said, "Uh-oh. I hope you get a job when you graduate." I smiled and said, "Me too." She continued on and on about how there's a shortage, but no one's hiring to fill the shortage and when they do hire they want someone with experience- but not too much. She said something along the lines of "They won't take grads right out of school. They want people with a year or two of experience under their belt. And then, you won't be making much money."

She mentioned she'd been out of nursing for 11 years (I didn't ask, but I assume raising a family) and that the Urgent Care center where I went was the only place that would hire, despite her extensive experience in hospitals/the ER. She's now making just $25 v. $35, etc., etc., etc.

I chose nursing because I want to help people and make enough money to pay off my loans and live. I'm not going into it hoping and believing I can lease a Mercedes when I get my first job.

I hope what I was dealing with was someone who is bitter about her own situation, but she also may have given me a healthy (but kind of rude) dose of how it really is out there in the job market now.

But, her comments suddenly made me question every single decision I've made in the past year. I know that no one can predict the future, but I'm suddenly extremely anxious about financing five zeros worth of school.

I'm sure there are tons of posts on this topic, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. I'll go through them when I'm less emotional, but any words of wisdom, courage or advice?

Am I about to make a huge mistake?

[want2banurse35]

Five zeroes?

As in $_00,000?

As in a hundred grand or more?

Um, very, very foolish IMO.

I think they meant 5 digits:lol2:

[decembergrad2011, BSN, RN]

I have heard a lot about nursing shortages.

Honestly, I have job security because I signed a contract with a hospital for them to pay my tuition in exchange for my employment in their facilities for X amount of months after graduating and passing NCLEX. I suggest other people who are worried about their options post-graduation look into hospitals in the area and see what kind of tuition programs they have. My future employer has new grad orientation programs, so I feel like I will be in good hands. I think more healthcare systems will go to something similar as the workforce grows because they will have to do something to prime all of the new nurses.

[benr98]

I have heard a lot about nursing shortages.

Honestly, I have job security because I signed a contract with a hospital for them to pay my tuition in exchange for my employment in their facilities for X amount of months after graduating and passing NCLEX. I suggest other people who are worried about their options post-graduation look into hospitals in the area and see what kind of tuition programs they have. My future employer has new grad orientation programs, so I feel like I will be in good hands. I think more healthcare systems will go to something similar as the workforce grows because they will have to do something to prime all of the new nurses.

This is pretty much my plan also. I am now working at a hospial as a CNA/PCP. The hospital I work at offers scholarships to employees and to students at the local university. They offer the scholarships to employees first then to the public. I have pretty much locked in my employment after graduation by doing this. A CNA course only took about 3 weeks through the local hospital and was free other than the cost of books and testing costs which came to $128. I am hoping that I will be able to stay in my department when I graduate though I just love working in pediatrics.

[oopsimout]

First of all..The nurse that was out of nursing for 11 years was, in the view of an employer, starting off on the same level as a new grad. If I were a potential employer, it would be difficult to hire someone out of the loop for that long. I would probably take a new grad first. Because I would feel that the one who hadn't been nursing for 11 years would need to go back to school for a few classes. More than CEUs can cover. Things in the medical field change so rapidly. So don't base your decision on her opinion.

Yes, it may be difficult in some areas to find a job. Yes you will start out with lower pay as a new grad but what job have you ever had where you started as a new hire making top dollar? Just think, start low and you have no where to go but up. If you aren't in it for the money, there are areas that you find work. You may have to relocate.

I went into nursing as a second career. I was almost 40 before I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I passed NClex in January of 2009 and have worked in 3 different areas. Found my dream job as a public health nurse.

I would highly recommend a minimum of a BSN. This leaves you with more options. I hear Texas is always looking for nurses, new grads included. They still keep sending me requests for interviews. So, when all is said and done follow your heart. If what you want to be is a nurse, then be one.

[SuperSteff]

Don't let the horror stories get to you.

The jobs are out there, but just not as easy to get as it was a few years ago. I have friends who graduated 3 years ago and were offered awesome jobs, practically bribed by hospitals to join their new grad programs. I also have friends who graduated within the last year or more and are still looking for jobs.

This scared me to death when I approached graduation in December. Yet I remained focused on two things: 1) looking for a job, 2) studying for NCLEX. Yes, doing both made me crazy, but I kept on. I got two great offers, and I have an ADN, have not taken the NCLEX yet, and these hospitals are in the Los Angeles area -- three factors everyone said are against new grads.

Don't be discouraged! If this is something you want to do with your whole heart, you'll get there.

Good luck in nursing school. It's awesome.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I fully support y'all being nurses if that is what you want to do, but I will say again that taking on that kind of dept (?39k ) is INSANE!

Go to community college. Work full time until the last year of school. Graduate with little to no debt and the do an on-line BSN program later that your employer will most likely pay for..................

In my area the ADN new grads have even a harder time of it than the BSN new grads. Many of the area hospitals won't even accept their applications. I was accepted to that program as well as a second degree BSN program and went with the BSN program because the job outlook was much better. There was even an article in the local paper not too long ago and the percentage of new grads employed from that program 8 months after graduation was really, really low. I opted to go for the debt and the better job outlook.

[Mickey15]

Don't get discouraged!! Everyone has their own take on nursing and the job market. From my own opinion, I think finding a job has a lot to do with MANY variables such as a healthcare facilities hiring requirements i.e. want experience, will hire new grads, number of current openings, turn over rates, location of healthcare facility etc.....

In my neck of the woods, I feel there is no nursing shortage and jobs are hard to find both for experienced and new grad nurses as I think the area is saturated with nurses. You will find employment but you might have to relocate elsewhere, work in a speciality area you do not have a particular interest in to gain experience or just employment, and work a shift you dont want to work as well as accept a salary you are not satisified with. I think with the current economic situation, many healthcare facilities now have the ability to be super picky as to who they hire because there are soooooo many applicants for one job opening and it's getting very competitive to find work. In my area it seems like the only jobs that are open are for highly experienced nurses or healthcare facilities that constantly are hiring due to less than desirable work environments and nurses leaving there in droves. If you want to pursue nursing, go for it!! You will eventually find a job but it might not be a position that you dream about initially. I have been a nurse since the 90s and personally have not found my ultimate job or niche out there but everyone has their own take or perspective as to what they are truly hoping to find in the nursing field. Good Luck to you.

[lamazeteacher]

Well, that nurse certainly provided you with a negative picture of nursing than actually exists. She was most inappropriate in her conversation with you, (her "patient" after all) and quite inaccurate about her perception of nursing in the future.

I hope you watched President Obama's address last night regarding our future job market reality. There is always work in healthcare! I've been a Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse for over 50 years, and have had my own ups and downs with jobs, having chosen San Francisco, CA as my destination early in my career.

At first I was disappointed upon being told that all Public Health Nurse positions there, were full and at the suggestion of the person to whom I spoke there, I moved 40 miles south to pursue some opportunities she said existed in Palo Alto. Jobs were taken there, too but I did get a job at the Stanford Medical Center's new "Premature Research Center", the earliest form of NICU. That was a pivotal event for me in learning flexibility, since I hadn't known anything about developments in neonatal care at school. It was the opportunity of a lifetime!

That lead to my interest in OB and PEDs, which kept my role as a nurse public educator, intact. So I had my interest in teaching prenatal classes as backup while holding daytime positions at hospitals, which included Inservice Coordinator, Infection Control Nurse, Director of Nursing, etc. I did have a problem keeping jobs I attained after I was 55 years old, due to insurance companies additional premium charges for workers in their senior years. However the flexibility I had learned earlier, presented other opportunities in Home Health.

I have loved all my job experiences providing health care. Each apparent block was an opportunity to grow. I wish all of you every success in your nursing careers, with an appreciation for temporary setbacks. There will always be sick people....... Unlike that nurse you met, see life's "cup" as half full, always!

[wildboo]

Please don't change your mind! Her response was probably part bitterness and part a dose of reality. That said, things change all the time. When I graduated 5 years ago, they were offering $6000 sign-on bonuses and were so short they didn't know what to do. Two years later, with the economic downturn, those same hospitals cut out their loan repayment AND educational reimbursement programs.

I live in an area where jobs are tight, but not every area is like that, and nurses will always be in demand. The demand never deminishes, but hiring does, at times, slow down. But, you haven't even STARTED school yet, and in two years when you're done (or 4) things may be dramatically different.

The profession needs compassionate people who are passionate about their jobs, and nursing offers 100 ways to work with people (not just in a hospital setting). Be happy and secure in your decision and focus on your studies. Worry about getting a job when graduation is near. Every experienced nurse started with zero experience.

Good luck!

[SNACCNATHAN]

Kind of weird, But as a nursing student I have found that alot of nurses will give me the "cold shoulder" I don't know if it is jealousy, job insecurity, or what the problem is.The important lesson for me to learn is to be kind to nursing students after I get my RN. After all, aren't nurses supposed to be caring, helpful, good natured people?

[RPN_2012]

when i handed the nurse who administered the shot my school form to sign, she said, "uh-oh. i hope you get a job when you graduate." i smiled and said, "me too." she continued on and on about how there's a shortage, but no one's hiring to fill the shortage and when they do hire they want someone with experience- but not too much. she said something along the lines of "they won't take grads right out of school. they want people with a year or two of experience under their belt. and then, you won't be making much money."

she mentioned she'd been out of nursing for 11 years (i didn't ask, but i assume raising a family) and that the urgent care center where i went was the only place that would hire, despite her extensive experience in hospitals/the er. she's now making just $25 v. $35, etc., etc., etc.

i chose nursing because i want to help people and make enough money to pay off my loans and live. i'm not going into it hoping and believing i can lease a mercedes when i get my first job.

i hope what i was dealing with was someone who is bitter about her own situation, but she also may have given me a healthy (but kind of rude) dose of how it really is out there in the job market now.

but, her comments suddenly made me question every single decision i've made in the past year. i know that no one can predict the future, but i'm suddenly extremely anxious about financing five zeros worth of school.

i'm sure there are tons of posts on this topic, so i'm sorry if this is a repeat. i'll go through them when i'm less emotional, but any words of wisdom, courage or advice?

am i about to make a huge mistake?

some nurses are bitter, some feel "overworked and underpaid", so might have been pushed into nursing and hate it, some are just pessimistic about everything... people...*sight* maybe she realized it's not for her and wants out, and she's advising everyone to not get into it... and she's bitter... it's like being in love and engaged and talking about love and marriage to someone who's going through a divorce or who is recently divorced or simply unhappily married, they're going to be negative, bitter, cynical, sarcastic, critical, you name it... they'll say stuff and make you feel like you're about to make a huge mistake... so personally when i'm supper exited about something (like nursing) i do like to have a realistic view of it but in "limited doses" i try to stay away for people who hate nursing, who are bitter, disappointed and negative as much as possible. (i do read some of the rants on here though, some are hilarious!)

maybe she regrets being becoming a nurse, maybe she hates her job, maybe she was in a bad mood and focused on the negative...whatever her problem is... the nursing job market is cyclical, rates are regional, and the rewards are priceless though! and the pros and cons of being a nurse are personal for everyone.

if you want to be a nurse then don't let anything or anyone stop you! go for it! as long as you understand that's there's good and bad in nursing, you are being realistic about your pay, and flexible in terms of employment you'll be fine. stay away from negative ninnies!

i felt a strong desire to go into nursing, i researched it like mad, all the + & -, the responsibilities, the pay, the opportunities, the specialties, the good, the bad and the ugly, and after taking everything into consideration, and knowing what i was getting myself into i still wanted to be a nurse.

there are unhappy people in every line of work out there, i've worked in offices with people who hated it, in retail, in a warehouse, in food industry, so it's not just nursing it's everywhere. that's why it's important to know what you are getting yourself into, and still wanting to do it, choosing a profession you really want to be part of, something you can be proud of, and something that's going to pay the bills too!

so i think if you did your research and soul searching and this is what you really want, then go for it! and don't let anything stop you! as for the "negative ninnies" don't try to change their minds, just don't take their b*tching to heart! :) good luck!

[lackofsleep]

No, no, no, you did not make a mistake. I wouldn't let someone's poor attidute, ruin your hopes and dreams. Those type of nurses need to retire. I have encountered my fair share of grumpy nurses, I just tune them out. My advice to you, if you can incooperate into your life, is try getting a job in a healthcare setting while you are in school. Possibly as a CNA, just so you can get your "foot in the door". I worked as a CNA at an acute care hospital, floated to many units and made a name for myself. I now work there as a nurse on a surgical unit and loving it. Hang in there, things might change by the time you graduate. You should focus more on passing Nursing School and passing the NCLEX. That is harder than finding a job. Good luck to you :)