is nursing even a good career choice right now?

CVmursenary · Aug 23, 2010

im no guru on the nursing job market but althought its tough at the moment, i still think its a great career choice, just expect to be a hard worker and skilled because with the saturated market, sub-par nurses may have trouble holding jobs.

sunnycalifRN · Aug 23, 2010

im no guru on the nursing job market but althought its tough at the moment, i still think its a great career choice, just expect to be a hard worker and skilled because with the saturated market, sub-par nurses may have trouble holding jobs.

I agree. No matter what state the economy is in, people still require health care services. And, someday, the economy will perk up a bit and hospitals will hire again. And, the 65 to 70 yr old boomers who are still working, will retire. However, that being said, it will be tough going for new grads for a while . . .

iodine66 · Aug 23, 2010

I'm retired so I can look back and know that my choice of professions was a good one, even tho it looks bad now. It's looked bad many times in the past 40+ years and I was even laid off once. Then the so called overage of nurses, then a year later was the threat that we'd have NO nurses.

I agree that you had better love it or not go for it and you'd better be good at what you do. Not only to keep your job and your sanity, but for the good of the patients.

I've had several very Different careers during my career. Each one was completely different and on a couple I broke ground where no nurse had gone before. My nursing education prepared me to hit the ground running in each phase of my long career. It can prepare you as well to make your mark on this world.

But if you don't think you will love what you do, then you'll just have a job, not a profession, so don't waste your time or the professors' time.

ohcomeon · Aug 23, 2010

No. That is the short answer. I mean if you were to graduate at this very point and time, you would more than likely have a difficult time finding a job. No one knows what the next 2-3 years holds. Maybe the economy will improve and hiring will begin to pick up. I suspect that many hospitals will see how they were able to make due with less staff during the time when the economy tanked and they will never go back to the previous staffing levels. But what do I know. I am student in my third semester of school and I am fully expecting that I will have a difficult time finding a job. My classmates however think differently. The current job market does not seem to slow down the amount of people in or trying to get into the nursing program at my college.

Mulan · Aug 23, 2010

I think plumbing or air conditioning would be a good choice.

dinah77, ADN · Aug 23, 2010

with the talk of lay offs, hiring freezes plus everyone and their mother wanting to be a nurse now has me thinking twice...

Yes if you have a true passion and talent for it, and are willing to sacrifice A LOT to get your foot in the proverbial door. No, If a person is going into to it solely for decent pay and "job security", and may not have the innate skills/talent for it.

Contrary to popular opinion, I reject the notion that anyone can be a good nurse. Some people just ain't cut out for it and would do far better in a different career.

wezzie, RN · Aug 23, 2010

No. That is the short answer. I mean if you were to graduate at this very point and time, you would more than likely have a difficult time finding a job. No one knows what the next 2-3 years holds. Maybe the economy will improve and hiring will begin to pick up. I suspect that many hospitals will see how they were able to make due with less staff during the time when the economy tanked and they will never go back to the previous staffing levels. But what do I know. I am student in my third semester of school and I am fully expecting that I will have a difficult time finding a job. My classmates however think differently. The current job market does not seem to slow down the amount of people in or trying to get into the nursing program at my college.

I graduated this spring.. I've had 3 interviews and 3 offers. Two of those at hospitals. One for OR and one for acute inpatient mental health. I accepted the mental health position as it was my dream and first choice of specialty, and first choice of hospital. I start August 30th. Also had an offer from a LTC facility. Didn't bother with a 4th interview as I got the offer I accepted that morning so I went there in person, thanked them for the opportunity, and went home. (I was 1000 miles away from home in Casper Wyoming). Had I interviewed, I suspect I would have had my choice of unit between ER, step down neuro, or surgical, (their med/surg unit is actually split).

I went back to school at 37 and graduated at 41.. I've never worked in healthcare prior to graduation in any capacity. Lets just say I'm glad I didn't choose accounting..

Stay positive.. if you don't think you'll find a job after graduation, I guarantee you wont.

NinA 56 · Aug 23, 2010

I agree with you everyone is not cut out to be in the health care field period ,none yet a nurse ,because being a nurse requires dedication and a desire to serve your fellow man

SummitRN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2010

If you are going in looking for a guaranteed job at good pay, then no.

ohcomeon · Aug 23, 2010

Congratulations to you Wezzie, but you are in the minority of new grads.

sunnycalifRN · Aug 23, 2010

If you are going in looking for a guaranteed job at good pay, then no.

But, the economic reality is that there is NO guaranteed job. I was laid off three times in high tech, twice in aerospace, and once in a factory job. I have no illusions about nursing . . . there are lay-offs going on right now in local hospitals . . . but, I still think I can do better in health care than in high tech.