Nursing career...... here I come?

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Hi all:

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the inevitable repetitive questions that I'm sure flood these forums, yet I still can't find my exact answers and solutions to my questions. I've been contemplating a career in Nursing after I took a hit with the infamous unemployment plague. I'm a bit more than halfway into my pre-reqs already, and plan to apply for an accelerated private program possibly this fall. I live in the san fernando valley and am really considering applying for WEST COAST UNIVERSITY. Although it seems legit as far as accreditations, I can never seem to find anyone that is a WCU grad. I'm sure there are some of you on these forums. If so, can you please share your experience with WCU, and how job hunting played out for you?

so my general questions are:

1. How is the job market looking for those of you who have graduated form nursing programs? What are your guys thoughts for the job outlook within the next few years for nursing?

2. Can anyone here recommend me a good RN program in Los Angeles. I am looking into WCU, but there has to be a better alternative. (I don't have the best grades to compete with a community college program). I hear people talking about 1 year accelerated programs etc..

Please, any help contributed will sincerely be appreciated. I just don't want to waste my time when there are other alternatives to get my BSN. I must confess that I initially looked into the career for the obvious financial stability and opportunities, but the more I look into nursing and have spoken and befriended many nurses, and aspiring ones, I have grown to appreciate and hold much respect for the occupation and can't wait to become part of a career that offers so much and rewarding at the same time.

thanks for looking!

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1. How is the job market looking for those of you who have graduated form nursing programs? What are your guys thoughts for the job outlook within the next few years for nursing?

There's a nation wide shortage of nurses, and odds are it's only going to increase. Finding work probably won't be a problem, especially if your university helps with career placement after graduation.

Here's an article I found online: http://www.discovernursing.com/job-opportunities

2. Can anyone here recommend me a good RN program in Los Angeles. I am looking into WCU, but there has to be a better alternative. (I don't have the best grades to compete with a community college program). I hear people talking about 1 year accelerated programs etc..

I'd recommend getting your Associates degree in nursing, then find an employer that will pay for your continued education to get your Bachelor's degree.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

At the moment, many hospitals have hiring freezes due to the economic downturn and uncertainty over healthcare legislation. It can be difficult for a nurse to find a position.

In the past there have been severe nursing shortages and many people outside of healthcare still believe that becoming a nurse results in gauranteed employment with hiring bonuses. In the future it is predicted that there will be another shortage as many nurses retire (some of whom are working now because of the economy) and the increase of older members of the population needing care (baby boomers).

At some point in the future being a nurse may result in fairly certain employment but it is difficult to predict when that will happen. Right now things are pretty tough.

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thank you both, for your responses.

MHoldgrafer: thanks for the heads up and link man! Though I usually tend to Ignore those online articles, and prefer to hear how things are from the people that actually are in the field. And with the route that you suggested, I feel will take much longer. thanks once again though.

bill4745:Thanks for the informative response sir. So i'm assuming many are having trouble finding jobs. Is this solely on nursing? or is it the whole medical field and the same can be said for respiratory therapists, physical therapists, etc.... Seems you have some good experience under your belt and any information from you should be quite informative.

It's funny though, I have spoken to one of my friends who's a x-ray tech, and during his career path, many told him that the field is over saturated and it would be difficult to find a job, very similar to what many are saying about the current state of nursing, and now he's been an xray tech for about 3 years and doing well. I guess it really boils down to who really wants to do it. Stick with it regardless of what statistics, predictions, and stories that arise and may stray some to dither career choices. And many are left in that position, contemplating too long. wasting time!

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Until this economy turns around and the flood of new grads that are made during the years the economy stinks find work, there won't be any sure jobs out there. Nursing is not like it used to be. I've been a nurse since 1994 and up until 2001 jobs were plentiful across the US. I am a new grad nurse practitioner, graduated May 09 and still don't have a job (8 months later). I graduated with a class of 12 and out of that 12 only 4 have jobs. I live in south FL, a major city, and still no work for new grads.

Don't go into it thinking you'll have a sure thing job. The sure thing probably won't come back for at least 4-5 years, maybe longer.

The other thing I see happening is due to the glut of nurses looking for work, the experienced nurses are working for less, new grads willing to work for less and this is driving down the wages for everyone. Just how bad is it? I had a company offer me $800 per week for full time work when the average new NP gets $1500/wk. It's happening across the board at all levels of nursing.

I think the long term future is bright for nurses and would tell you to do it if you love it. Just be aware that you may not have a job when you graduate and if you do get a job it's probably not going to pay what it used to..

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Good insight! Is it all the same across the board for the medical field? I'm currently caught between RN and RT at the moment.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

i think the long term future is bright for nurses and would tell you to do it if you love it. just be aware that you may not have a job when you graduate and if you do get a job it's probably not going to pay what it used to..

:grn:

i was recently at the unemployment office here in portland and the administrator for unemployment benefits had us, the unemployed, gathered in a room. she used her overhead projector to show us a sheet she got off the internet regarding job prospects for nurses which showed a large future growth curve and plenty of jobs with good pay.

"so this is a viable skill you might wish to consider," she told us, musing with a smile. after her lecture, i approached her, and stated that once one graduated it wasn't a sure bet that an individual would find work, that most of the new hirings presently are for specialized areas, for example surgery, intensive care, and emergency departments, which overall in general required a two year experience prior to hire. her eyes bugged out after my edifying her over the unemployed rn status me and many more (especially new grads) are currently in :eek:!

i also note that once employed, guarantees for full time work, may be hampered by a low patient census, one could be sent home early often, like me, at least once every week. at my last place of employment, the time you did not work during a work week was compensated by the employer taking time away from your time allotted to your for paid vacations. no union, not every hospital has a union, no safeguards. i think, at the time of my being dismissed, i had acquired 12 hours of paid leave and that's for 1 & 1/2 years of work.

ps [color=deepskyblue]sevens. don't let what myself and others have written dissuade you, if you heart is leading you in the way of nursing; the work is tough but the rewards are bountiful. good luck to you whatever you choose!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Good insight! Is it all the same across the board for the medical field? I'm currently caught between RN and RT at the moment.

Go to websites of hospitals in your area and look for the job postings. It can be a real eye-opener.

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From the posts I've read here, it seems that new grads are having an especially tough time in California. Look through the general nursing forum, and the first year after licensure forum (under general tab). Don't buy into the nursing shortage hype.

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West Coast is insanely expensive and a long 3 years, even if you have prior credits. Its "campus" is one building pretty much in the backlot of Disneyworld...the good news is going there and being 3 years delayed from getting the BSN vs. an accelerated BSN - might be better to be in school next 3 yrs. Theres VERY few new grad jobs in CA.

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