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allnurses Guide · Feb 24, 2012

The nursing shortage rumors is one of the biggest lies ever perpetuated by the media and our government. Nurses are out of work everywhere, especially new graduate nurses. But even experienced nurses are feeling the pinch. If you are wanting to be a nurse for job security reasons, this is something you need to heavily heavily research. The average new graduate nurse takes 6-12 months to find their first job. Obviously that means some take longer, some shorter - it really depends what part of the country you live in. Nurses in California, New York City and Colorado seem anecdotally to be having the hardest time, but other places are struggling too. Any time you hear of one state being the mecca for new nurses to find work, be very very skeptical. Also be aware that the high demand specialty areas are even harder to break into. Those include pediatrics, NICU, ICU, ER, L&D and the like. Very few new graduates are getting to work in their area of choice at this time and have to do several years in positions that are not ideal for them if they want to have a job.

Because you have a Bachelor's degree already you could do what is called a bridge program. Usually it is 18 months of VERY intense study and you graduate with a BSN. You will likely have to retake any science and math courses you took in the past, as those expire after five years generally. Your other credits (depending on the reputability of the college you attended first time around and whether they transfer in) should still stand.

A CNA is a nursing assistant. Many people work as one while they go to nursing school. Hard work, low pay, invaluable to the medical team, invaluable for experience and sometimes the foot in the door that lets one get a job after graduation. The LPNs and ASNs are having a harder time getting work, but again, it depends what part of the country you live in.

Going to nursing school with a husband and children is a huge challenge. Be sure you research the time involved and prep your family. Be prepared to have to take your science and math prerequisites before you can even apply. You are probably looking at a minimum of a two to three year commitment whichever way you go.

Best of luck as you make up your mind what to do.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 24, 2012

I'll just add a few thoughts to what not.done.yet had to say.

Some of the issues around the "nursing shortage" relate to the differences between thinking short term and long term. Short term, there hasn't been an overall shortage for some time now and that is unlikely to change any time soon. When the economy tanked in 2008, a lot of nurses who had been working only part time, came back to full time employment when husbands lost jobs, retirement funds nose-dived, home values dwindled, etc. Also, lots of displaced workers decided to go back to school to become nurses -- thus creating an oversupply of minimally educated and inexperienced nurses. It's going to take several years for those influences on the number of numbers of nurses available for jobs to work their way through the economy.

Long term, though ... as the baby-boomers age, they will eventually cut back their hours, retire, and die off. So long term, there will be a relatively healthy job market for nurses -- but no one knows exactly when those processes/forces will start working to improve the job market.

Finally, the current and predicted near-future's need for nurses is for the most highly educated and skilled nurses needed to handle the high-tech, critically ill patients -- and the complex needs of coordinating care for people with multiple health problems in the community. So the idea of "starting at the bottom" with the minimal education and working your way up is not the "easy and available" path to success that it used to be. People planning to take that route are finding themselves jobless when they graduate with the minimal amount of education and experience. Employers are hiring mostly the new grads who are graduating from the best schools and with student preceptorships and externships under their belt.

So ... if you want to study nursing because you really want to be a nurse -- and are willing to work the nights, weekends, holidays, etc. -- then research your local job market and your local schools and choose the path that will work best in your community. But be realistic about the types of jobs you will be able to get when you graduate. Do your research.

Biffbradford · Feb 24, 2012

Agreed. Follow your gut. Perhaps you could volunteer a few hours one day a week at a local institution to get a feel for what goes on 'behind the scenes' to help you decide. Everybody takes on volunteers, tell 'em your story and you're in! Personally, I do think that there is a nursing shortage. All facilities need more help ... the problem is that they can't (or won't) hire for financial reasons due to the current economy.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 24, 2012

Personally, I do think that there is a nursing shortage. All facilities need more help ... the problem is that they can't (or won't) hire for financial reasons due to the current economy.

Agreed -- but I think it is more than just the economy. I'be been a nurse since the mid-70's -- through lean financial times and times when the money was flowing pretty well -- and most employers like to run with a pretty lean staff in all kinds of times. I have rarely seen "good" staffing regardless of the economy.