I was accepted into the B.S to BSN 1 year accelerated program in my area and initially I was extremely excited. From what everybody told me (mostly people outside of the nursing profession, of course), I would be in demand as a new graduate male nurse with a BSN. The school I am going to told us that hospitals in the Philly area would basically be banging at the doors of the school begging for access to us nursing students so they could sign us up. I feel like I've been duped. This is absolutely not to say that the only reason I got into nursing was because I thought I'd easily obtain a job. I have been inspired by many nurses close to me and dreamed to be a one myself for a long time. But I am taking a HUGE risk by attending this program. I am taking out nearly $60,000 in loans for this program, and I am also still in a good deal of debt from my previous 4 year degree. If I had known that there was actually a Nursing Surplus, I probably would have waited until my previous debts had been paid off and I had saved some money.
A male friend of mine who got his degree last year told me that absolutely nobody is hiring and he is working at a supermarket. Now that I am talking with more nurses I realize that this "shortage" is not due to lack of nurses, but hospitals cutting back intentionally. I start the program in 2 weeks and I am a nervous wreck. I may be setting up for a lifetime of debt. Scary...
