9 months until graduation, EXTREMELY worried I won't find full time work.

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a male BSN student at Westcoast University, paying $135k for my degree; I'm graduating in less than a year and the job market and starting salary "rumors" is really causing anxiety when I think about finishing the program. Many former students are saying that it's extremely difficult to find a position as a new grad, even more so if you don't have much experience or things you can put on your resume (I do not). I hear starting salaries of $21-$23 an hr, I think half of that would go towards my loans. It's really disturbing and I'm hoping to find a sense of inspiration towards everyone here that being an RN will be worth it. I enjoy psych and peds very much! I would like to work in one of those units one day.

Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

OMG! Why did it cost of much for school? Second, did you think about the price and what you would be making before you decided to go to this school? HUGS, stay positive and you will find a job many places are hiring... It may not be your dream job at first but it will be a job

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If you don't volunteer, I think that is a big mistake on your part. I haven't even been accepted to nursing school and I've already been volunteering for a number of months now. The reality of life is that getting a job is not only based on your experience but also based on who you know. If you have been volunteering, its allowed you to make nursing contacts and to understand what nursing really is about. If you don't volunteer or already work in health care, the danger is that employers will see that as a big negative on your part. They may see you as not being serious about being a nurse and not wanting to learn about nursing outside of an academic environment (i.e, practicums). As many have posted, networking is key; if you don't volunteer, start volunteering a.s.a.p, preferably in the area of nursing you'd like to be in. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in FNP.

Depending upon where ou live, you may be right to be concerned. However, I don't see any wisdom in worrying about that which you cannot control. So do what you can. Volunteer, network, make sure your grades and clinical performance are top notch, and make certain you pass the NCLEX the first time out.

I won't scold you about your debt; it's too late now. Look at various loan forgiveness options for public service, etc. I think your monthly payment is going to be about $1,200. You will end up paying the principle, but most of the interest can be forgiven and written off after 10 years of loan payments as long as you are never late and never miss one. I think if you do, the deal is off, or the 10 year clock starts all over.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am a little bit confused about your incredulity on the starting salaries. Did you not research that before taking out all these loans?

The new grad job market is extremely tight. Networking is your best bet.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
The job market is much better here in the South compared to the Northern states. I'm in Texas and jobs are not hard to come by in most areas here. So, if you would be willing to relocate......

This is just untrue. All the major metroplex areas in Texas are saturated. DFW alone has over 25 schools churning out new graduates every few months. Internships average 300+ applicants for each opening.

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Specializes in FNP.

I think she meant South Dakota. I heard they have tons of jobs in SD. ;)

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Specializes in medical surgical.

I went on your school's website. I could not find the cost per credit hour. The main information stated that they have no wait lists (of course not, since it costs 135k). You would have been better off to relo out of Cali and attend college somewhere in the south. The going rate at our state university is 40k now for a BSN but that has doubled in the last few years due to state budget cuts. You will probably make 20-25/hour at most upon graduation. Jobs are very difficult to find right now. Most of it is economy driven. Finish your degree and find a roomate to get those loans down.

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minot is not in good shape due to the floods.

op, you are "all in" so here is what you do. you study hard you ace everything, as well as party hard and go to football games. you enjoy this time in life because even if you go back to college later in life (i know, you will still be paying off these loans, lol) you will cherish university life and look back on those good times. i know i do.

i l l i n i !!!!

see? put those worries aside, there is not one darn thing you can do for them now. sure, network, but seriously you have to pass the nclex and get licensed too, so be a college kid!

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.
I went on your school's website. I could not find the cost per credit hour. The main information stated that they have no wait lists (of course not, since it costs 135k). You would have been better off to relo out of Cali and attend college somewhere in the south. The going rate at our state university is 40k now for a BSN but that has doubled in the last few years due to state budget cuts. You will probably make 20-25/hour at most upon graduation. Jobs are very difficult to find right now. Most of it is economy driven. Finish your degree and find a roomate to get those loans down.

I saw it and this is insane!

http://westcoastuniversity.edu/admissions/tuition.html

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Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.

Agreed....$1750 per credit hour..YIKES! and that does not include housing or livng expenses..nothing. Sorry to say but too late to PANIC now finishup your almost there. But you should have done your research before forking out that kind of money for a BSN...

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
OMG! Why did it cost of much for school?
West Coast University is a private, for-profit, very expensive trade school with a fast-track $132,000 BSN program that requires no prerequisite classes because they work them into the program as corequisite courses. The OP is attending this school.

Sometimes people pay a dear price for convenience.

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At my nine month mark before graduating, I was nervous about it as well. I graduated with my BSN from a private college and have the loans to prove it :) so I started traveling to other states to network. Very glad I did, it was great practice, let me travel, meet new people and was a good experience. I did luck out and managed to find not one but two jobs in my local area, both being available at full time at a very decent wage. So I think it's good you are aware and concerned, but don't let others blow smoke about not finding jobs... You never know until you look. You talk to the right person at the right time, and it's amazing what you can do.

For experience, if you have any chance right now, I would at least volunteer in a hospital you are interested in working at. Become a familiar face and what not.

Eta: your school might offer some placement programs, as well. Make sure to take advantage of those as well as any resume building classes and interview guidance. I was very glad that I did...

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