No jobs...Seriously reconsider nursing school

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Before applying to nursing school, take a step back and think about whether there will be a job waiting for you by the time you graduate. Here in Houston, you're looking at an average of 300 applicants for one new grad job. So if you're doing this expecting a handful of jobs awaiting you by graduation, think again. Please check out the new grad residence postings in 'Texas Nurses.'

No, and I don't remember saying that?

I think what Crunch was saying that you think I have an alterior motive here for discouraging people. It did come across that way.

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I think what Crunch was saying that you think I have an alterior motive here for discouraging people. It did come across that way.

I understood what she was trying to say, and my response to her was "no." Sorry if the tone of my first post was unclear. Anyway, all I am saying is that many people understand the reality of the situation; however, I might just be giving them the benefit of the doubt based on my experience. Most people I know understand completely the toughness of the job market, but are still committed to pursuing nursing because it's what they want to do. If you're just trying to warn those who don't know, okay, I guess; maybe I just took your postings the wrong way.

And just to add, when you said that I should "blissfully ignore this thread," it came across as slightly condescending...

Anyway, back to the point at hand: What would you suggest all of these nursing hopefuls do, if not nursing?

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Also, are you planning on dropping out of your BSN program?

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What approach would you suggest, while still getting the message across? My guess is that you would prefer not to hear it all.

How about some suggestions on how to get your foot in the door, such as volunteering while still in school or working part-time in whatever capacity you can.

Your condescending posts don't make me feel anything but pity for you. You're still a student? So then all these feelings are just your projections onto the rest of us.

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For now, no, I don't plan on dropping out. First of all, I'm almost finished. Second, it's free--I received a full paid scholarship.

Did you not find Mom/Nurse's comment, " I really don't appreciate people coming onto the student boards and saying this crap. Why not just go to a high school and tell all the graduating seniors to not even think of college cause jobs are just too hard to get?!" condescending as well?

I mean apparently because people don't want to hear the truth, I'm all of a sudden this "Negative Nancy" that should be thrown over the cliff.

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I guess I just don't understand why your comments aren't more supportive of students that are in your exact same situation? You say don't waste your money, yet your program was free. You say jobs are hard to get, yet you say you haven't even begun looking for one.

I don't mean to be condescending to you, but you don't seem to realize just how negative your posts are.

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How about some suggestions on how to get your foot in the door, such as volunteering while still in school or working part-time in whatever capacity you can.

Your condescending posts don't make me feel anything but pity for you. You're still a student? So then all these feelings are just your projections onto the rest of us.

"How about some suggestions on how to get your foot in the door, such as volunteering while still in school or working part-time in whatever capacity you can." Because I don't think these options are going to solve the problem.

You pitying me.... Is that not condescending as well?

"So then all these feelings are just your projections onto the rest of us"

What does this mean? Please translate.

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I guess I just don't understand why your comments aren't more supportive of students that are in your exact same situation? You say don't waste your money, yet your program was free. You say jobs are hard to get, yet you say you haven't even begun looking for one.

I don't mean to be condescending to you, but you don't seem to realize just how negative your posts are.

Why??? Because I genuinely care about these future nursing students. My program is free. How common is that? Not very. Sure pursue it if you have the time and money---to not be guaranteed a job at graduation.

I'm telling you all of this based on all of the students that graduated in December.

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I agree with Cleo comments if you cant handle the truth then dont read it! But I do beleive a real nursing shortage will exist in ten years when the old baby boomer nurses hang up the scrubs! That is why the schools are cranking out students now unfortunately the flow of students occurred ten years too early. I know from my experience as a new grad with a BSN in the Hourston area as of tomorrow thank you! That only 5-10 out of 120 grads from my school have a job in nursing lined up. I was told from senior nurses who taught us they have never seen a worse situation for new grads ever! So yes indeed those who planned on easily paying back huge student loans after graduation are not too happy currently. So I would give a second thought on if the cost is worth the reward if things stay the way they are now? For me I decided to continue my education into another higher field and am hoping the economy is better next time around upon graduation but only time will tell? So what field is safe right now to go into? Nothing in my opinion so do something you really want to do and it better be something you would do for free because no degree has any guarantees anymore. Heck even teachers and astronauts are out of a job here soon LMAO! just my 2 cents!

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Specializes in Radiation Oncology.

Wow I never thought Houston would be worse off than Austin. I'm in an ADN program and my friend who graduated in December told me that 30 out of the 40 ADN graduates had jobs lined up at graduation. My friend thought the job market would be better back home in Dallas where she was from and she couldn't find anything up there. She finally found a position in San Antonio last month. I signed a contract with the oncology company I work for now saying I would give at least 2 years of practice with them as an ADN after I graduate in 2012 and they are paying for my school. I had my doubts about signing the contract but at least I am assured a job when I graduate.

I know the job search can be discouraging but our instructors were very up front with us here at my school on the day of orientation in January. I remember the dean of the program warning us that it may take some of us 6 months to a year after graduating to find a job. In fact she even went as far as to tell us that if we were expecting to be handed a job just because we had our RN that we might as well quit while we were ahead.

She did tell us to bring our best everyday to clinical, make contacts with not only the staff nurses and aides, but also the nurse managers. Establish your contacts early and it will pay off later.

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Although many are not able to find jobs, many are. I know many recent graduates who have had no trouble finding work. Advice that I took from those nurses (ADN and BSN) was to hit the ground running, apply apply apply, and yes, you may have to take a job that is not your dream job. BUT, I firmly believe that if you apply yourself and keep a POSITIVE attitude you will find something. If you believe that you won't find something, then you probably won't.

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Although many are not able to find jobs, many are. I know many recent graduates who have had no trouble finding work. Advice that I took from those nurses (ADN and BSN) was to hit the ground running, apply apply apply, and yes, you may have to take a job that is not your dream job. BUT, I firmly believe that if you apply yourself and keep a POSITIVE attitude you will find something. If you believe that you won't find something, then you probably won't.

Exactly.

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