Ugh, I've just been getting extremely discouraged lately. I hear all the new grads who can't find a job and old nurses who put off retirement due to the economy. I really don't want to spend $30,000/yr of my parents money(Well, 18k with my scholarships) to not have a job when I get out.
I'm just in the slumps about it, so I had been thinking that maybe I should get out before I get in. I'm a freshman this fall so the canvas is blank and the path can lead anywhere. I never planned at stopping at RN, I was looking into CRNA or an NP of some sort.
I always knew I was going to go into healthcare, and my blessing and curse is that I love it all. I toyed around with pre-med, pre-dentist, pre-chiro, pre-pharm and the list goes on. I chose nursing because I figured since I loved everything I could explore multiple areas rather than specializing and I lost a friend and the PICU nurses were amazing, but thats a whole different story.
I'm smart and motivated, I know if I pursued any major I could do well. Maybe not top of my class, but I would do well.
I was told to go with my nursing major, complete other science classes in my electives, and then if needed apply to a med, dentist, pharm, ect school.
If you had a wide array of interests and could have gone to a different medical profession would you have? I just want a decent chance at getting a job. I'm extremely discouraged, maybe it will pass and stick with nursing, but what would you recommend?
Sorry for the vent/woe is me/advice seeker attitude
Be realistic. Is there any 2 or 4 year degree that 100% guarantees you a decent job in this economy? No. Your chances are better with nursing than with most degrees. If you really want to be a nurse, be a nurse. The job market isn't that awful, certainly still better than most.
You have to do something with yourself. If you turn from one career to another, you will find yourself not settling on anything because no career is 100% secure in today's job market. Things change and so will the job market. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but a couple of days in the future. Become a nurse if that is what you want.
Yes jobs in some areas are picking up. In my area those jobs are NOT NEW GRAD JOBS. These are jobs that require 1 and 3 years experience. If you are at that point you can start playing musical chairs.
Be realistic. Is there any 2 or 4 year degree that 100% guarantees you a decent job in this economy? No. Your chances are better with nursing than with most degrees. If you really want to be a nurse, be a nurse. The job market isn't that awful, certainly still better than most.
The job market isn't that awful?
I know some people, some who are new RN grads, some who are in other professions, who have been unemployed for > 1 year.
I'm unsure what it's like where you live, but as a country, we are dealing with the worse economic downturn since the great depression; and the worse job outlook since that time as well.
Not trying to be negative here, just setting the record straight. I agree with you that there is never any guarantee with any degree and that with nursing, employment chances are much better than with most other professions, and this will only continue to improve over the next few years. However, it's not all roses everywhere.
SOUNDS LIKE, It's your calling to me a nurse,,,Go to school,,,Become a Nurse,,,Be the best Nurse you can be,,,
There will always be jobs for good Nurses,,,In some states the need is changing,, I have heard here in North Carolina that new nurses are having difficulty due to no experience, so be open to the market needs,, if you work
hard, continue your education (CME's ETC.),,,you will have a job...:)
What will never change is that we need compassionate nurses who love and care about their jobs. If that's you, don't give up on it because some new grads are having issues.
Things are starting to pick up. You said you're a freshman; so you're looking at least 2 years (if you end at ADN) before you'll be out there; the job market has already improved in the last year, so imagine where it could be in 2 more.
My school recently met with the hiring directors at major hospitals near me to talk to them about what they look for; and they said, hands down, its professionalism and a desire to do a good job. If you have a 4.0 but no enthusiasm for nursing, then you can get in line. You sound like one of those that can't wait to get started, that will have a love and joy for the care they give. Don't let the economy discourage you. There are a million places to go with your nursing degree.
The other thing to keep in mind is you may have more flexibility than some others. I don't know your specific situation but as a younger person just starting out you might be able to move to another area of the country with a slightly better job market. And like everyone said by the time you get out the job market will have improved at least a little bit! Relax, enjoy school! It's sounds like you're going to a four year institution (based on the availbility of clubs, organizations etc..), so you have time. Don't over join, remember quality vs. quanitity. You'll do great, you might struggle for awhile after you graduate but in the long run you'll be much happier for following your dream, rather than taking a "safer" option your not as happy with!
Sure there are tons of new grads here who can't get jobs. I'm sure if you found a board for business majors or those in advertising or people with teaching degrees, you would hear the exact same thing. Finding a job is hard right now, no matter the field, especially for those who are inexperienced.
Hey, it's even hard to find jobs in Texas. And just wait a few years until BP has to pay $$$$ and see what Houston's job market looks like then.
i was accepted into a community college lpn program for fall 2010, and i intend to bridge and earn my rn asap after that. the same school offers an online/hybrid lpn-rn track.
have you considered starting off at the community college level? my lpn program is only 4000$, and that includes everything. books, physical(covered under my health plan), fees, etc. the lpn-rn track is around 2000 at the same community college i am taking my lpn program at. by using a community college you would be spending far less for college, and it would help as far as taking out fewer student loans.
my local university offers an rn-bsn track that takes one year, and is very cost effective. overall, i will likely spend far less than 10,000$ for my full bsn education. i am piecing it in small segments, but it works for me and is cost effective.
It won't hurt to take a break from your current state of mind, check out NEIL YOUNG, let's sing together:
Old Man lying by the side of the road,with the lorries rolling by, blue moon sinking from the weight of the load, and the building scrape the sky...blind man running through the light of the night, with an answer in his hand...don't let it bring you down, it's only castles burning, find someone who's turning and you will come around..
It's gonna take a lot of love to change the way things are...It's gonna take a lot of love or we won't get too far...So if you look in my direction and we don't see eye to eye..It's gonna take a lot of love to make things work out right..
If you want to become a nurse, don't let the current job market scare you away. The new grads that I know who have found jobs had CNA experience. Most of the HR departments at hospitals tell me that if you are already working at their hospital, you have first dibs on RN jobs when you graduate. The job market will likely get better by the time you graduate. Good luck!
from my era :
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
You have to do something with yourself. If you turn from one career to another, you will find yourself not settling on anything because no career is 100% secure in today's job market. Things change and so will the job market. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but a couple of days in the future. Become a nurse if that is what you want.