jayandaroo88

Thanks for your post. 1) I probably should have clarified. By a year off, I essentially meant I would use that year to do work/volunteering. I already have my bachelor's. I should be applying to schools now for the Fall 2011 semester, but my credentials (in my opinion) are pretty weak to get into a nursing program. What I meant to say is that maybe I should wait and apply for the Spring or Fall 2012 semester. In the meantime, I would try to get hospital experience, and do all kinds of work/volunteer work, including community/social type of work. You might ask why bother with the latter, it's mostly because I'm also interested in doing non-profit/community/social work as well. 2) Yes, that is what I'm afraid of. I'm aware there is no salary difference. However, I'm thinking more in the long-term. Such as pursuing higher education in nursing or having an easier time going into a particular specialty or area of nursing. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight or first-hand experience into the usefulness of a more prestigious program. I have personal/financial reasons for wanting to take a year off to work, volunteer, and sort out my life, maybe even find a passion for something else. I have to weigh that against the actual usefulness of that year off, because I could work as a real nurse a year earlier and perhaps avoid the possibility of asking myself "why the heck did I wait an extra year to start nursing?" and regretting that extra year. One factor to consider is the possibility of going to a top nursing program and the usefulness of such - which is why I'm asking anyone here with experience/insight.

What are the benefits of going to a school like U Penn as opposed to say, your state university? I graduated from said state university (Rutgers) with a 3.415 and a pretty blank resume to boot. I'm thinking about taking a year off to really build a strong resume, do well on my GREs, and get lots of healthcare/volunteer experience (I have none!). The year off is also to do a bit of soul-searching, character-building, and assurance that the 20-40k I will be spending will be on something I know that I really want to do. At the young age of 22, no debt, and being uncertain about what I really want in life... I know it sounds like a win-win decision to take that year off with the added possibility of going to a much better school, but a part of me doesn't want to waste anymore time (I feel like I have done enough of that), and also just because I'm not 100% sure about something doesn't mean I shouldn't do it already - I mean, when are we ever really 100% sure about something? To further evaluate the usefulness of a year off: 1 - Is aiming for a top program really that much worth it? How much better are my job prospects? Are UPenn graduates finding themselves just as unemployed as all the other nurses in this dismal job market? If I'm interested in possibly pursuing a specialty, going into research, doing public/community health, etc... is it worth going to a top school? Honestly, I really just want a simple lifestyle and I'm not going into nursing for the money at all, but I'm also aware certain areas of nursing might not only be more stimulating and interesting to me, but also more stress-free. 2. What exactly can I do to make myself a strong applicant for nursing (both to schools and to employers)? Would it be worth the year off to gain lots of hospital experience (of which I don't have), possibly work as a CNA, and for the purpose of getting into a top nursing school, do any other kinds of activities to make myself a stand-out applicant (I'm thinking stuff like community/social type of work, Americorps, etc.)? Thank you for any insight/advice.

hi, thank you for your repsonse. i have several doctors/nurses in my immediate and extended family so i'm not completely in the dark about nursing -- i've also been following and reading about nursing for years now. i'm still currently trying to get my feet more wet in nursing. originally i was supposed to work as a PCA at a hospital but the transportation situation wouldn't have worked out so that never fell through. because i work in a nursing/retirement home i do have some exposure (and opportunities), but in the meantime i'm trying to get my foot inside a hospital still. i have also contemplated social work, but as of now, my classes/experience are all tailored towards nursing school at the moment. as far as this topic is concerned though, i just don't know whether or not it's smarter to try to wait out the job market for about 2 years or jump into nursing ASAP, given the poor market for nursing right now. another alternative, if i really wanted to get into social work, is to get into the social work field and maybe get into nursing in the future if i so desired, but i will have to do a lot of thinking, researching, planning, and try to wet my feet in social work, before i make that decision.

Yes, I'm aware that BSN seems to be becoming the "standard." This is why I'm comparing a diploma + RNtoBSN route vs an accelerated BSN or 2-year BSN route. I'm not really relying on tuition reimbursement, I can pay off my diploma RN easily without getting into debt since I'll have accumulated enough money by the time I get off the waiting list. If I go straight for the BSN, however, I will have to take out loans. By doing diploma + RNtoBSN, I'm hoping I can avoid debt and maybe the recession will have improved. Is that crazy? I have a degree in sociology. The problem is that the job market is terrible everywhere! Haha. I'm currently working food service in a retirement home and hope to get into the assisted living department or something by the end of the year. Unfortunately, I did not do much in the way of resume-building/acquiring experience throughout college. It's a long, personal, complicated story, but this is where I am at right now. Entry level jobs seem few and far between in this economy, it's competitive, and I'm not a strong candidate. I would consider non-profit work but I doubt I could get a position. Besides, I've long wanted to be a nurse/go into healthcare, and did get into the nursing school of my choice 4 years ago, but decided to major in something else to see what else was out there -- 4 years later I realize the helping professions are where I belong. Haha. So I don't necessarily have a problem with "prolonging student-hood."

What I figured! So wouldn't it be smarter to delay my BSN a year or so, rather than risk graduating in a bleak market?

Sorry -- I should add that though I recently graduated, I have graduated free of debt. My main issue is whether or not to "purposely" take longer to obtain a BSN in order to wait for a better job market (also I will end up free of debt if I take that route, since diploma programs are cheaper and I will accumulate enough money to cover it while on the waiting list) -- of course at the cost of waiting almost 5 years as opposed to 2.5-3.

...would it make the more sense for prospective nursing students to wait out the job slump? I keep reading about how new grads cannot find jobs... eventually they are no longer eligible for new grad programs. And to top it all off, for each semester they remain jobless, more fresh grads are being pumped into the labor market, which makes the competition progressively worse and competitive. So what's a nurse to do in that situation? As a fresh university graduate (22 years old), I'm currently deciding between accelerated, second BSN (2-year), and diploma programs. As many of you know, diploma programs have a waiting list (of maybe 1-2 years) - and not only that, but it seems like if I want to work at a hospital, I will have to do an online bridging program which may take another 1-2 years? By that time, it might be 2015 before I am working as a BSN. I know that sounds crazy, but could that in any way be smarter -- to wait out the terrible job market? Or is that simply a waste of time? Would it make more sense to work now until I get off the waiting list (would have enough to cover tuition and graduate from a hospital program debtless), and then perhaps work in a position that does not require a BSN (ie, not in a hospital) -- until I get the BSN? It's just very frustrating to read about the job market -- is it really that bad? Is waiting in hopes of the market rebounding worth it? Maybe hospitals will finally be willing to train nurses, maybe more nurses will have retired? Are any other students in this position who are afraid to enter nursing? Any experienced nurses have any advice? Thank you.

Hi everyone, I've lurked these forums for some years now but this is my first post here. I'm a recent male college grad with a degree in Sociology. Originally I was supposed to be a nursing major at my college, but decided last minute to be a liberal arts major to explore other options. I don't regret my decision but now as a fresh graduate, I am considering nursing again. Let me start off by saying that nursing is NOT my passion. It is a means to an end. My passion lies in dancing, and it is something I would like to pursue for as long as I can. I saw nursing as a way to maintain financial stability and then have opportunity for career growth if I wanted. I chose it over other careers since I've also always wanted to work in healthcare, counseling, or non-profit kind of work (I like to help people!) -- but nursing above all those for the opportunities and stability it provides. But again, my passion is in dance. I'm currently struggling to decide what move to make next. My original plan was to get CNA certified over the summer (not happening) and work as a CNA while I finish my nursing pre-reqs and then apply to nursing school to get my BSN or at least an RN. I am realizing now that a lot of the surrounding schools near my home that I planned on attending take an extemely small number of transfers (risky for me because my GPA is only about a 3.45), are doing away with allowing transfers to skip the first couple years (ie, I'd have to do 4 years all over again), or basically required you to start as a "freshman" because clinicals already begin in the first year. This essentially equates to TIME and MONEY. What scares me is that nursing is not my passion. Don't get me wrong, I would love to work in a healthcare setting (ideally), and I am attracted to several aspects of nursing beyond its financial stability and career opportunities, but it is difficult for a still young, jobless person like me to make such a strong commitment to something I'm not completely sure of. Plus, I'm also aware that the job market for nurses is terrible right now, and to my knowledge, I don't know if there are any indicators of the market bouncing back anytime soon. I want to make a smart decision. I recently discovered getting an LPN as an option. There is a relatively cheap LPN program in my area, which is Camden County College (I live in Camden County, so I am near Philadelphia and have those options available too). I see the LPN as a safer option, so I can make a cheaper time/money investment, be able to work sooner as a nurse, and if I really wanted to, could pursue my studies. However, for now, I would be very comfortable with a more modest lifestyle, I really just want enough to be able to support my dancing career for now. I know this sounds silly, but I'm also more attracted to the LPN if it means less work and job responsibilities (possibly less hours???). Is that true? I prefer a less strenuous job (not just physically but mentally) for the sole fact that dancing is very physical and draining, and I would prefer not to be drained out all the time. I know it sounds crazy because nursing can be a very tiring career, but I really don't know of many other options I have. Again, it's not that I don't want to be a nurse, it's just that my priority is dancing. I read that LPN nurses are getting phased out in hospitals, though. Which is ok with me because I am not specifically trying to work at a hospital. I heard that LTC facilities can be very rough, however. I'm open to work in other areas, a private medical office would be particularly nice. I'm somewhat scared, however, when I read how LPN nurses are getting phased out, and I wonder if getting the LPN is a good idea. Sometimes I wonder if nursing is perhaps not for me. I still have a year before I can apply to my LPN program. I was considering taking a few pre-reqs until then (starting this summer, which is why this post is urgent because summer registration ends in a couple days), while working somewhere. I figured perhaps it would be a good idea to take this year to also explore other options, perhaps I will find a less strenuous career that provides the living and stability I am looking for. 40k with benefits and I am happy :) Really, I am sorry this post was long and all over the place, but as a new grad I'm feeling a bit frustrated and scared at the same time. I would appreciate ANY advice. Whether I should go for the RN, for the LPN, or perhaps consider a different career altogether. Social work?! Counseling?! Non-profit?! Haha. I don't know Thank you so much for reading! I sincerely appreciate it.