EsseQuamVideri

1) The economy is not going to magically "turn around" and allow everyone to gracefully retire. In contrast, the nation's current cadre of retirement age nursing staff will eventually decide to live within their means, and then will retire. That doesn't mean a plethora of jobs will suddenly open up, this will likely occur between now and roughly, say, 2020. 2) As the state of our nation's health declines (due to poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking habits), the need for disease management will increase. Unfortunately, we wont see the effects of preventive care in this generation (as it relates to reducing the need for staffing demands). Expect a steadily increasing staffing demand for in-patient nursing in particular, as well as nurses taking on more advanced practice roles in every setting. 3) The baccalaureate prepared RN has become the standard in many regions, if you are a new ADN and are not employed... Likewise, some people out of school are not employable for other reasons. Further, many have not sought a way to distinguish themselves as new graduates other than with a sense of entitlement. 4) The experience paradox - Open positions require experience, new graduate job seekers dont have experience. It is like trying to obtain a credit card, that requires an acceptable credit score, but the only way to obtain a credit score is by having a credit card. Unfortunately academic programs are not preparing new graduates for this job climate. A major component of this is a lack of manipulative or skills testing and qualification to competently and independently incorporate bedside nursing responsibilities, as a minimum standard before graduation. Regardless of these challenges, healthcare, and in particular nursing, is where you want to be for the next 20 years or so. There is no recession proof job, although nearly any licensed RN can go out and get a job if they are willing to take what is offered, and work their way academically and professionally towards the job they wish to have. Yes, there is a "nursing shortage" as a simple equation of healthcare's needs/healthcare's providers, however the economy has limited ways to ameliorate these two variables.

Hi - I read through the forums often and really appreciate how supportive people are with detailed questions and answers, so I am going to give this a try. I am graduating with a BSN this year and am looking to move to San Antonio, TX for long term family purposes. I know nothing about what Texas Nursing is like other than from talking with recruiters, but I do know that is the place for my wife's family support network for raising children. Also people are very nice there, a lot better than where I am from. I am an experienced Paramedic, and want to move into an advanced practice role within the next few years while obtaining some good ICU Nursing experience. I am more than willing to work in the city or a rural setting if I can gain more autonomy. My goal is to work in an in-patient setting working in an as close to an intensivist role as possible. So here a couple questions, but I would much appreciate any input or insight: What is the ACNP scope of practice like compared to other states? how are they used in the hospitals? which hospital's do or dont use them? (San Antonio and/or outskirts, Texas state in general) What is the most common credential for Nurse Practitioners in the San Antonio hospital systems? How frequent do job opportunities arise, what is the supply and demand in that area for this sort of specialty? Is there a better credential that is more marketable to be a mid-level practitioner in a critical care setting? What is the expected salary of a Nurse Practitioner (ACNP or FNP working the in-patient setting) in San Antonio? Thank you very much, you are really helping me out in a big way and I will definitely pay it forward some day.