I have been contemplating a nursing career for a while now. I finally gathered up enough courage to take the next step. I was shocked to find out the reality of the nursing career field right now.
I guess I was just unaware like most people that jobs are scarce! I thought we were always short on nurses.
But now I realize we're short on experienced nurses and job outlook for new grads are grim...
I don't want to give up yet... should I??
I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice... I haven't done any of the pre-req classes yet... only the few that'll transfer over from my BA degree... is it a good idea for me to give up and look for something else now, before wasting my time getting the degree and ending up unemployed?
do you think the economy will pick up enough to turn the job situation around in three years or so?
Just seeking some wisdom before making the commitment...
If you go into nursing because you want to become a nurse and provide the best care for patients, then don't hesitate to obtain your nursing degree and become that great nurse you're thriving to be. Sure money is there but thats not the reason I am becoming an RN. I know the economy is bad and I am to grad in May 2009 and I know the new grad job outlook isn't good at all in Hawaii but hey, always have faith that it will get better. My uncle worked for the government and the economy will indeed get better after recessions. However, recessions usually quickly get better after large wars such as world war 1 and 2...so....yeah.....
I would not give up. I'm trying to return to nursing. I attended an lpn school in 1995 went 18 months and failed my pharmacology exam by 1/10 of a point. Now I want to return and give RN a try. I've found a program that I can do in the evenings, it's a 30 month program. So I planning to get accepted.
Really, there has NEVER been a 'nursing shortage'... TONS of nurses out there who are not actively practicing because of 'burn out' and pure frustration... Or any number of dozen other reasons. As long as you WANT to work you will always have a career in nursing.
Just remember to take time for yourself and breathe after every heartbreak or when you're ready to kill that one patient driving you up the wall!
been a nurse for 32 years, seen the ease of getting a job ebb and flow but one thing is for sure there will always be a need. every estimate i have seen in the literature says that unless there is some major miracle there is likely to be a shortage of nurses in 2020 of up to 1 million!!! from your posts, it sounds like you are going about it the right way and for the right reasons. good luck!
Specializes in Rural, Midwifery, CCU, Ortho, Telemedicin.
This is something that we made up for students way back when I worked in personel(to put myself through nursing school). I think it applies.
Rules On How To Remain Unemployed In The Midst Of A Plentitude Of Employment Opportunities:
1. Be unwilling to relocate to obtain employment.
2. Only be willing to work in one department of the company.
3. Insist on starting at the top.
4. Make no effort to volunteer at anyplace where you might submit a resume.
5. If you do student work at a facility, make sure that they know that you would never work there.
6. Never consider alternative employment opportunites, especially if they are in your field.
7. If offered an alternative student assignment - turn it down.
8. Learn nothing but the bare basic of your field.
9. Never look for or ask to interview anyone who is in your chosen field.
10. Never accept a mentor either before or after graduating.
11. Demand the highest salary to start.
12. Never ever attend employment fairs.
I'm sure that others out their can give reverse advice also. Good luck on getting into school and after >45 years in nursing I can say that it is worth it.
I fully agree that the economy will have bounced back somewhat by the time you graduate. I am a first semester RN student. By the time I graduate I believe there will be more jobs in Hawai'i. My husband was speaking to one of the best surgeons we have in the local hospital and even he said he is confident there will be nursing jobs in a couple of a years if not sooner. Don't listen to people who are full of doom and gloom.
I was in your shoes about a year and a half ago. I had my BA degree. Everything but about 6 classes transferred over. The pre-req's went by fast because I found everything so interesting! It was different than when I got my BA. This time I was getting a 4.0 every semester instead of a 3.0. Now, I'm in the actual program and still getting A's. I think when you are that interested in something and returning to school for a second time, it causes you to work much harder. It goes by very fast. I say go for it!
I am truly amazed at how supportive and helpful all of you guys are!! must be because you guys are in the business of caring :) Thank you all so much.
so I attended the informational session yesterday and learned all about the program.
actually, I did so much research on it already that I was a little frustrated with all the questions others were asking... haha I felt like saying "It's right on the website!!!" anyways... I was grateful to have the chance to ask all the questions I wanted. Now I am more sure than ever that this is for me!
This whole thing started off with my main motivation to have flexible schedule and make more money... but now I want to become a nurse for more than just the money and convenience. I truly belive that I'll be happier as a nurse helping others and making a difference everyday :) even if I have to clean up poo... haha
I am so ready for the challenge! Thank you all so much for helping me with this decision.
I am hopeful too that the economy will pick up enough by the time I graduate. I talked to couple of my friends who went to nursing school and they both told me that the two years just FLEW by! and you're right blueH2O, when you're interested in something, learning is so much more fun! I am totally excited!! wish me luck!
Well firstly I would suggest that u do your research to make sure that you really do want to be a nurse, i mean it isn't a very glamerous job& you gotta love it to be a good one. I think the employment might depend where u live; places like California, Florida, other places with large numbers of elderly and aging people, as well as some rural areas are really hurting for nurses and for a lot of poisitions hospitals really don't mind giving extra training to new nurse, though there are some jobs where experience is absolutely necessary, like triage for instance.
But I am from the midwest and I was offered a job even before my license came in the mail, without experience, so perhaps that is just Hawaii.
If you are serious about wanting to switch to nursing I would suggest that u look into accelerated second degree BSN option I believe the University of Hawaii offers one, it would give u a BSN, rather than just an rn-associates degree, in just 12-18 months. Having this might give u a little greater opportunity for advancement once u do get experience and the possibility to farther your nursing education if u want to at some point in the future.
Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.
What is your degree in . Why do you want to be a nurse when you already have a degree. I think I am trying to talk you out of it. Not sure why. I am tainted . Do you have other choices or is it because you think you can get a job? I am just wondering if you have other choices rather than spending more money and the trauma of it all.
You can tell I have been a nurse for a long time. But if you already have a degree can you not use this degree ? There is alway Public Health.
If you are serious about wanting to switch to nursing I would suggest that u look into accelerated second degree BSN option I believe the University of Hawaii offers one, it would give u a BSN, rather than just an rn-associates degree, in just 12-18 months. Having this might give u a little greater opportunity for advancement once u do get experience and the possibility to farther your nursing education if u want to at some point in the future.
the Accelerated BSN program was discontinued at UHM a year or two ago to make way for their MEPN program (direct entry master's program).
Well I am having trouble finding a job in Hawaii as a new grad. I am graduating in May 2009 with my BSN in Hawaii. I was thinking about moving to the mainland AFTER I get into a new grad program. Otherwise just join the Air Force for the committment 4 years and come back after.
Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.
I can t believe that you are having difficutly finding an RN position in Hawaii. Over the years there have been articles written about Hawaii losing their best and brightest. This is an edge you can use. As the hospitals have noted that the nurses train and then they leave Hawaii. I worked in Hawaii for 15 years and this is what you hear.
I wouldnt give up. Not sure what island you are on but there are so many hosptiats on Oahu. Have you tryed Pali Momi or Kapiolani Womans and Childrens hospital, Castle, Wahiawa, Queens, St Francis , Kuakini? Since you have your degree Public Health clinics are an option. I trained in chicago and did have a problem when I first graduated until I finanally said " how am I going to get experience if no one hires me." Someone finanlly listened and hired me in a Country Er and Trauma of all places. Later I appplied to Queens hospital and they hired me without and interview. I guess they liked that trauma experience. Persistence is the name of the game with landing a job. If you love Hawaii and want to work there keep on trying. Call a nurse recruiter at the hospitals if they still have them talk with that person. See what will happen..
Make sure if you really want to join the military you are ready to be lets say having assigments changed.
I worked in the military system as a civilian and they treated me like and enlisted. It wasnt pretty.
They completely changed my job description. Wanted me to run a new program that no one would support except the physician I worked with. If it wasnt for him I would have fallen apart. Lucky for me we got the program up and running and then they closed the program!
FNPdude74
219 Posts
If you go into nursing because you want to become a nurse and provide the best care for patients, then don't hesitate to obtain your nursing degree and become that great nurse you're thriving to be. Sure money is there but thats not the reason I am becoming an RN. I know the economy is bad and I am to grad in May 2009 and I know the new grad job outlook isn't good at all in Hawaii but hey, always have faith that it will get better. My uncle worked for the government and the economy will indeed get better after recessions. However, recessions usually quickly get better after large wars such as world war 1 and 2...so....yeah.....