rene76

Yes, I live in a smallish area, and they are accepting 200 BSNs, and 300 ADNs yearly. Out of the 500, not sure how many graduate, but probably most if I had to guess. To the poster that suggested I tell my advisor to quit spreading the news of the mythic nursing shortage, I actually did tell her what I knew! And she started robotically quoting me stats I'd already seen from the BLS websites. Weird moment for me. That was the turning point when I realized that I don't think nursing is for me anymore. Even if the market turns around, I'm not sure I want to be involved. But I like to have a positive outlook so instead of dwelling...on to Plan B! And good luck to you all!

Yeah, I've researched it! If that 's what I decide I can get my Bachelors in just over a year, and there's a good number of positions that are similar but a step up from what I was doing before. Any job is tough to get right now, but I think that my past years experience will help. From there I'll start working on my MBA. I'm realistic and I've got a positive attitude, and I know that in a down economy nothing is a sure thing. But honestly, the numbers of new nurses being produced yearly is what is dissuading me. Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with numbers!

Wow, thanks for all of your thoughts. I see what you mean about the job listings. The whole scenario is just a bummer. I have to say I'm so grateful for this website. At least now, if I do decide to go ahead and pursue the nursing avenue, I'll know what I'm going into. Otherwise, I would have just blindly started the program assuming that nurses were still in high demand and I'd be guaranteed a job when I'm done!

I know, I saw that discussion too! This is the link where I saw all the job postings. http://www.indeed.com/q-New-Grad-RN-jobs.html Honestly, this whole thing makes me really angry. I feel lucky because the classes I've taken over the last 2 years I've been in school are generic core requirements, so I have other options. It's just a letdown because I was looking forward to being a nurse. But I feel really bad for the people that have gone through the program, put their life on hold and amassed a huge amount of debt, all thinking that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. According to Nclex, in 2009 134,708 new applicants passed the boards. They're predicting >500,000 new jobs by 2020. But it doesn't say specifically that the jobs will go unfilled, just that their will be that many more new positions. With at least 134,000 people graduating per year, the numbers speak for themselves that there will be too many nurses! I know people leave the profession frequently, but I don't think reasonably that many people will leave so that there could be a shortage again.

I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I worked as a medical secretary for 13 years, and a couple of years ago I decided to further my education so I'd make more money, and also because I enjoy the healthcare field and was a little bored in my current situation. I was trying to decided between a masters in healthcare administration or nursing, and I ultimately chose nursing because it seemed that job opportunities were endless. Fast forward two years, and I've gotten all my pre-reqs done, but I've read consistently on this board and other places that the bottom has fallen out of the nursing field, especically for new grads. I've all but decided to switch my major to healthcare admin. However, after looking on websites such as indeed.com or monster I see tons of job listings for new grads. Are these legit? And of course my advisor at my college is still telling me there's still a huge shortage. I'm just so torn on what to do, because all of the information out there is so conflicting. Both careers interst me, and I'd love to do either. But I really need to be able to land a good job when I'm done to pay off the loans I've taken out and begin a retirement plan ! I keep hearing that this problem is only temporary, but when you look at the numbers of graduates versus jobs it's slightly alarming. I can't help but wonder if this surplus is just a temporary thing or a sign of how things will be for quite some time....

I have to say that I've found your post so refreshing! I've had similar concerns and I've been feeling silly about them because I've wanted to be a nurse forever, and I'm finally applying for a Bachelors program for Fall! But like you I'm having some doubts. I brought it up to my counselor at school and she said there was always going to be a market for nurses and changed the subject rather aburptly! True, there is a recession and it's tough in most job markets, but then other job markets aren't being flooded with as many new graduates. But like nohika said, who can predict the job market! I think I just need to do some serious soul searching!

Thanks for all your replies guys! It's been a huge help to me. I think I'm going to pursue the BSN. I've already been taking pre-reqs for two years so I've got everything done to go for the ADN or BSN next fall. And the BSN is actually 2 months shorter! I haven't really heard bad things about the BSN program-it's actually at a pretty well-known university-I've just heard that the grads aren't prepared for clinicals as well as the ADN graduates. And that does make me nervous. But I know that with time I'll pick that stuff up, and the BSN will help me find jobs in the long run! Thanks again for your feedback!

Thanks for your reply. I have no idea which would be the best fit! They both start at the same time, and are the same length. I know the bsn is better longterm, but I'm concerned about not getting as much clinical experience as the adn offers. But, if I go the adn route I would have to go to school an extra year or so to get the bachelors so it almost seems like a waste. I'm so torn!

I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit, but I'm at a crossroads and was hoping to get advice from nurses already in the field. I've been in school two years and have all the coursework done to go in the adn or bsn program. I know it seems like bsn is a no-brainer, but I keep hearing how much better prepared the adn program gets students to work. Around here, apparently it has a better reputation amongst the hospitals because they say the nurses with the adn run circles around the bsn students. I want a bsn, but mostly I want to be a good nurse. Also, Ive heard the adn program is less competitive to get in to. If I go the associates route, I could go in the bridge program but then it would take me a year longer. And then another thing I have to consider is that my husband is military so we move every few years, so the bsn may help with the job search. Anyways, I'm obviously conflicted and would love to hear any feedback or insight you may have. Thanks!!

I've heard the training isn't too intense, but I was wondering how much homework is typically involved? I'll be taking the classes over an 8-week period in the evenings. I don't work, but I am taking a full course load of nursing school pre-requisites during the day becuase my ultimate goal is to go into a BSN program in a year. I just want to figure out if this is something that is doable for me, or if I should skip the CNA training all together and just focus on getting in to nursing school. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

I know there have been other posts on this, but I was hoping to get some advice to the dilemna I'm having. I have 2 more semesters of pre-reqs before I can potentially start a BSN program. (I can apply in December for a hopeful summer admittance). I've already been taking pre-reqs for the last two years part-time. I am fortunate that I'm in a situation where I won't have to work for the duration of my school. But I've been playing with the idea of taking a CNA class and working part-time through school. I was thinking it would help build my confidence around patients and increase my chances of getting in the program. And a little extra money in my pocket wouldn't be a bad thing. ;-) The downside is that it would delay me taking some pre-reqs so I would be starting the nursing program a little later than I anticipated. SO...I guess my question is, based on your experience-would it be worth it to do the CNA thing first, or take advantage of not having to work and just focus on doing well in my classes, and still having a little time left over for family, etc? Thanks for any input you may have! --Oh, just wanted to add that I am at least familiar with the healthcare system. I've worked in the medical environment for 12 years-but on an administrative level and not clinical.

Hi everyone! I just found out we are moving to Corpus Christi. I've been taking my pre-reqs at another college, so I'm mostly done. Does anyone know how long the waitlist, if any, is at Texas A&M Corpus? According to their website, they seem to start the nursing program 3 times per year so that seem promising. I'm also looking at Del Mar college, and was curious if they had a waitlist as well, although I think I'd like to go for my Bachelors if it's possible to get in. I saw A&M had the E-line program, but I think I'd be more comfortable taking it in person. Thanks for any insight you may have!