Nursing Demand in Tampa Bay Area 2013

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Hi,

I am currently applying to nursing schools. Nursing will be my second degree as I already have a bachelors in Healthcare Administration. I have two questions and would appreciate any constructive feedback:

1. What is the job market like in 2013 the Tampa Bay area of Florida? This is where my family is located (Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lutz, I may also consider Sarasota, etc.)

2. Is it worth getting a second bachelor's degree in Nursing? I have heard that having a BSN is more favorable when applying to jobs. I am not sure if I should save money by going with an AS or if I should spend the money to get a BSN (since I already have one bachelors degree).

Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you are already in the Tampa Bay job market and have some constructive feedback, I would appreciate hearing it.

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Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

I live in Tampa Bay. Went to accelerated program in Tampa. There are many schools here. There are new grad programs but competition also exists. I'm not into discouraging anyone because hey, I got a job a new grad here.

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Thanks RN Sam!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Moved to the Florida Nursing forum for more of a response.

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Thanks

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I would definitely suggest a BSN.....it's going to be the standard more and more in the future and if you don't get it now, you may have to do it in the future again so might as well just do it.

I work at a children's hospital in Tampa, and many of our new grads (but not all) are hired as PSTs during school, then accepting into RN positions. I think the background in healthcare administration would make you an interesting candidate though. Honestly, the healthcare market is expanding in Tampa and I don't expect an absence of job openings anytime soon. (Personally, I and looking at moving to Michigan and there are WAY fewer job options there!)

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I truly appreciate your feedback Janey. Thank you for taking the time to respond, goodluck moving Michigan!

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Specializes in Wounds.

Well I'm from Miami and I read someone was saying there is a lot of schools in Tampa. That's what made Miami such and almost impossible place to find a job as a nurse not just a new grad. There are 5 colleges/universities in Miami pumping out nurses every semester then on top of that they are about 5-6 s private schools with multiple campuses pumping out AS nurses ever 3 months or more. Then they have a no new grads need apply signs on their listings. So what I'm trying to say is I feel like Tampa is going in that direction soon, how soon we don't know but with all this said I believe you can do anything you put 100% of yourself in. I know when I went to school it didn't look like how it does now. I had friends getting RN jobs left and right but that crashed and all I wanted was someone to tell me the straight truth so I could be better prepared mentally and emotionally, but I have found a job just not in Miami. So things do work out in the end you just got to be flexible. Good Luck doll! Also if you have the money and time I would do a BSN program, I have my AS and I'm doing online classes to get my BSN, before they mandate it.

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I'm a volunteer at a local hospital in Tampa, and I often hear the nurses talking about how the hospital will no longer be hiring many nurses with AS degrees. In fact, I heard that current employees with AS degrees have a certain amount of time to go back for their BSN. I'm not an expert, but I just thought I'd mention it since it has been heavily discussed by the nurses where I volunteer.

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Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it.

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