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?
