RN tried to talk me out of Nursing school...

[NYCHikerRN]

So I went to my GP's private clinic today to get blood work, a PPD round, and antibody titers done for nursing school which I'll be starting this coming Fall. Upon meeting with his nurse, I told her I needed all of this done for nursing school. She blankly stared at me for a good three seconds and then asked: "Why in the world are you going to nursing school?". I wasn't sure what she meant by that, so I asked her to clarify. She said "Well, you're a young guy with flawless English skills. What the heck are you getting yourself in to?" (This Nurse is a Russian immigrant, whose English skills are not perfect. I'm Russian too, but came here at a very young age unlike her. I guess a lot of Nurses in New York City are immigrants that lack great language skills so they choose nursing as a "last resort" profession apparently?). She went on to explain to me how nobody is hiring right now, and that hospitals are closing. She assumed I was going for an Associates degree, but the program I'm entering is for the BSN. I told her this, and then she questioned why I didn't go for PA or PT instead. I told her Nursing is what I truly wanted to do, and she smirked and said "Okay, you don't understand the situation yet. You'll see."

Not that I was discouraged by this, but I found it interesting how bitter some people can be against their own profession. Especially a nurse, who knows that there is a dire need for people to enter the profession, especially as many baby-boomer nurses are going to retire in the coming years.

Have you ever had people try to discourage you when you told them you were going into nursing? And do you regret not taking their advice?

I think I know what I'm getting myself into (hopefully), and I'm mentally prepared. I just hope that at some point in the future I won't end up hating my job like she does...

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

[h=1]Nostrovia to her![/h]

You are way too young to remember the original Twilight Zone series.

My favorite episode involved an older version of the main character trying to warn the present day ..young version of herself about the disasters that will occur.

Think hard and think long,,,why would someone feel the need to say this to you?

I personally, after 30 years ,will dissuade anyone about entering the nursing field.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

. . .there is a dire need for people to enter the profession.

You previously mentioned you're located in NYC. In case you haven't heard, NYC is one of the large metro areas that definitely has NO dire need for nurses at the present time. In fact, some graduates of local nursing programs have been unemployed since 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The class of 2012 is not faring much better unless they know someone on the inside who can pull some strings.

The local job market is extraordinarily tight due to several hospital closures combined with multiple nursing schools that pump masses of newly graduated nurses into the employment pipeline when the demand for them is way down. To be blunt, the local job market cannot absorb everyone who wants to work as a nurse right now.

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

This is one of the reasons why I keep my mouth shut in regards to nursing. Not always, but sometimes. I am aware that nurses are unhappy or hate their jobs. I'm also aware that nurses are happy and love their jobs. I don't claim to know it all. And yet, each time I open my mouth and say those 6 words, "I am going to nursing school". People FREAK out. I listen to what they have to say, but it doesn't mean I have to take it.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I think she was trying to do you a favor. I would strongly discourage anyone that has enough intelligence and competency to do anything else from going into nursing. The career has been going down the toilet for years. It is not something for people with better prospects IMO. I will not allow any of my kids to go into nursing (if they want me to pay for it that is). Medical school only, or preferably, something non-medical all together.

So while I do understand where she was coming from (except for the NCLEX part, that's nonsense. My cat could pass it in three attempts, lol) I do wish you the best of luck.

[caliotter3]

I certainly would have made a different career choice, and if asked, I will explain why to anyone who wants to know. You opened the door for her to voice her opinion based on her experience, and that is what she did.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

This is one of the reasons why I keep my mouth shut in regards to nursing. Not always but sometimes. I am aware that nurses are unhappy or hate their jobs. I'm also aware that nurses are happy and love their jobs. I don't claim to know it all. And yet, each time I open my mouth and say those 6 words, "I am going to nursing school". People FREAK out. I listen to what they have to say, but it doesn't mean I have to take it.[/quote']

I have several patients that tell me they are going to nursing school (and they always say it with some expectation that I'll be impressed by that, lol). I don't ever discourage them, I just say "good luck." AFAIK, none of my kids is interested in a medical career. If they or anyone I cared about were, I'd use my dying breath to discourage it. I suspect the OPs friend feels a kinship to him due to their shared backgrounds and it trying to help him avoid a mistake. It's not as though those of us that try to warn people about nursing are selfishly trying to keep all the great perks and pay to ourselves! :rotfl:

[netglow, ASN, RN]

OP, you are very lucky she cared enough to tell you.

Take heed, listen when a nurse tells you what's up about nursing - it's gonna sound totally bat**** crazy. This is why lots of us keep our mouths shut. Almost everyone would like to warn you out of it, but they just feel you will think they are totally nuts. You'll see as you continue on, lots of strange looks and awkward silence or, "Oh really? that's great. Nursing is a great profession" LOL... these comments are your tip-off.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I have been in nursing for almost a decade now. And I have to say "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Am very glad I did it as a second career. So rewarding and educational. But there have been a lot of tears too. Mean doctors, mean families/patients. But the very saddest is the mean nurses who bully their peers.

That said I am glad I did it. It has changed me, and my life for the better. And there are jobs out there, but you will have to seek them out and probably have to move to some God for saken place. I would do it again.

[yuzzamatuzz]

So I went to my GP's private clinic today to get blood work, a PPD round, and antibody titers done for nursing school which I'll be starting this coming Fall. Upon meeting with his nurse, I told her I needed all of this done for nursing school. She blankly stared at me for a good three seconds and then asked: "Why in the world are you going to nursing school?". I wasn't sure what she meant by that, so I asked her to clarify. She said "Well, you're a young guy with flawless English skills. What the heck are you getting yourself in to?" (This Nurse is a Russian immigrant, whose English skills are not perfect. I'm Russian too, but came here at a very young age unlike her. I guess a lot of Nurses in New York City are immigrants that lack great language skills so they choose nursing as a "last resort" profession apparently?). She went on to explain to me how nobody is hiring right now, and that hospitals are closing. She assumed I was going for an Associates degree, but the program I'm entering is for the BSN. I told her this, and then she questioned why I didn't go for PA or PT instead. I told her Nursing is what I truly wanted to do, and she smirked and said "Okay, you don't understand the situation yet. You'll see."

Not that I was discouraged by this, but I found it interesting how bitter some people can be against their own profession. Especially a nurse, who knows that there is a dire need for people to enter the profession, especially as many baby-boomer nurses are going to retire in the coming years.

Have you ever had people try to discourage you when you told them you were going into nursing? And do you regret not taking their advice?

I think I know what I'm getting myself into (hopefully), and I'm mentally prepared. I just hope that at some point in the future I won't end up hating my job like she does...

My initial thought was that she is not an RN, RNs rarely work in doctors offices. And I am quite surprised she admitted to telling you she failed the NCLEX 3 times too. My entire nursing class passed the NCLEX the first time. Chances are she didn't go to a good school. The NCLEX in 2011 had an 89% pass rate in 2011 for first time BSN takers. You can see for yourself:

https://www.ncsbn.org/Table_of_Pass_Rates_2011.pdf

I am a nurse in NYC. It is true that the job market here is not great. But isn't that true about any job in any city right now? You are going to need to work hard to get a job here but you can definitely do it without knowing someone. I am not from anywhere near NYC, never did clinicals here, never knew anyone here. But I wanted to work in NYC so I was aggressive applying to jobs after graduation and I landed an interview right away. I now work in pediatrics at a major NYC teaching hospital. My hospital does not shy away from new grad nurses, you just have to be aggressive to get the job. I think it would be silly to choose not to do nursing just because there is not an abundance of jobs for you to choose from.

It is totally not true that all nurses in NYC are foreign, don't speak good English, and do nursing as a last resort. That is a completely biased and incorrect statement that she made. Most of the nurses on my floor grew up in the America. A few lived in hispanic countries for their childhood. Everyone speaks perfect English. Some speak perfect Spanish as well, which is more of an asset than anything (I wish I could speak two languages!). Hospitals won't hire people who don't speak fluent English because they won't be able to communicate with patients.

Lastly, I think this nurse was very rude to tell you all this and then just tell you that you'll see what she means. Clearly she isn't happy with her job, that doesn't mean she has to ruin yours. Personally I love my job. There are days I hate it, but I would never give it up. I can't imagine being anything but a nurse. Please do not let this nurse scare you away from a wonderful profession.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

so i went to my gp private clinic today to get blood work, a ppd round, and antibody titers done for nursing school which i'll be starting this coming fall. upon meeting with his nurse, i told her i needed all of this done for nursing school. she blankly stared at me for a good three seconds and then asked: "why in the world are you going to nursing school?". i wasn't sure what she meant by that, so i asked her to clarify. she said "well, you're a young guy with flawless english skills. what the heck are you getting yourself in to?" (this nurse is a russian immigrant, whose english skills are not perfect. i'm russian too, but came here at a very young age unlike her. i guess a lot of nurses in new york city are immigrants that lack great language skills so they choose nursing as a "last resort" profession apparently?). she went on to explain to me how nobody is hiring right now, and that hospitals are closing. she assumed i was going for an associates degree, but the program i'm entering is for the bsn. i told her this, and then she questioned why i didn't go for pa or pt instead. i told her nursing is what i truly wanted to do, and she smirked and said "okay, you don't understand the situation yet. you'll see."

not that i was discouraged by this, but i found it interesting how bitter some people can be against their own profession. especially a nurse, who knows that there is a dire need for people to enter the profession, especially as many baby-boomer nurses are going to retire in the coming years.

have you ever had people try to discourage you when you told them you were going into nursing? and do you regret not taking their advice?

i think i know what i'm getting myself into (hopefully), and i'm mentally prepared. i just hope that at some point in the future i won't end up hating my job like she does...

i am going to say this with the best for you in my heart. there is no dire need for nurses right now hospitals are not hiring right now. hospitals are closing. maybe she was trying to help a younger generation and compatriot. as i ahve psotexd in other posts.....

sometimes it isn't negativity....it's reality. there is no nursing shortage. right now......there are multiple applicants for every position and many hospitals have hiring freezes. it is however, highly variant and a willingness to re-locate will help.

has the nursing shortage disappeared?

it's that time of year again. graduating nursing students are preparing to take the nclex and are looking for their first jobs. this year, many are finding those first jobs in short supply.

reports are rampant of new graduates being unable to find open positions in their specialty of choice, and even more shockingly, many are finding it tough to find any openings at all.

these new rns entered school with the promise that nursing is a recession-proof career. they were told the nursing shortage would guarantee them employment whenever and wherever they wanted.

so what happened? has the nursing shortage--that we've heard about incessantly for years--suddenly gone away?

the short term answer is clearly yes, although in the long term, unfortunately, the shortage will still be there. the recession has brought a temporary reprieve to the shortage. nurses who were close to retirement have seen their 401(k) portfolios plummet and their potential retirement income decline. they are postponing retirement a few more years until the economy--and their portfolios--pick up.

many nurses have seen their spouses and partners lose their jobs and have increased their hours to make ends meet for their families. some who left the profession to care for children or for other reasons have rejoined the workforce for similar reasons.

in addition, many hospitals are not hiring. the recession brought hiring freezes to healthcare facilities across the country, and many are still in effect. help wanted ads for healthcare professionals dropped by 18,400 listings in july, even as the overall economy saw a modest increase of 139,200 in online job listings.

for the rest of the article http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/co...sappeared.html

nurses are talking about: jobs for new grads

the big lie?losing our skills

the holy grail

take a job, any job

get out of the hospital

back to school?

give us a chance

without a doubt, the main source of frustration experienced by recently graduated and licensed but still unemployed nurses is what could be called "the big lie."in other words, the television commercials that encourage young people to become nurses -- and then abandon them for months (or years) without employment; and the educators who tell them that the associate's degree is perfectly adequate to guarantee employment, that they will have their pick of jobs when they graduate, and that there is plenty of time to get a bsn later on. who knows whether it is greed, ignorance, or wishful thinking that underlies the fairy tales told to nursing students about their future job prospects? whatever the motivation, the disillusionment of our new grads is palpable. the jobs they expected after all of their hard work just haven't materialized, and some grads are getting pretty desperate.

medscape: medscape access

for the rest of the article you need to register for medscape but it is free and is a great resource and source of information

be a nurse...if you can

not too long ago, the threat of a growing nursing shortage prompted thousands of prospective students to choose nursing as a career, and nursing schools rapidly filled to capacity. nursing was frequently referred to as a "recession-proof" career, and the outlook for finding a job after graduation was rosy.

experience and employment: the vicious cycle

now, the bloom, as they say, is off the rose. it seems that many of our new grads are stuck in that perennial dilemma: they can't get a job without experience, and they can't get experience without a job. this situation was not anticipated by thousands of nursing students who were told, often repeatedly, that a global nursing shortage practically guaranteed employment for them.

consider, for example, the situation faced by new graduates in california. a survey of hospitals by the california institute for nursing & health care found that as many as 40% of new graduates may not be able to find jobs in california hospitals, because only 65% of the state's potential employers were hiring new graduates and generally planned to hire fewer new graduates than in previous years. overwhelming numbers of new graduates submitted applications for the few available positions for new graduates. it wasn't that the hospitals weren't hiring at all, but that they wanted nurses with experience.

what happened to the jobs?

most experts blame the crumbling economy for ruining the job prospects of new graduate nurses around the country, but as usual these days, the truth is more complex.

uneven distribution. the demand for nurses was supposed to exceed the supply by the year 2010.the question of whether we truly have a nursing shortage right now is a fair one. the answer, it seems, is "it depends." apparently, it depends on where you live and where you are willing to work. neither the distribution or supply of nurses, or the demand, is uniform. some geographic (mostly rural) areas have a shortage of nurses, whereas some urban locations are witnessing an oversupply of nurses. new graduates seeking jobs in these regions will face a very competitive job market.

economic recession. the shrinking job pool is widely believed to be a consequence of the declining us economy. temporarily at least, economic pressures and job losses in all industries have induced thousands of experienced but aging nurses to forego retirement and even increase their working hours to support their families.

medscape: medscape access again requires registration but it is free no strings...

i am not stepping on your dreams. "praemonitus praemunitus" forwarned is forarmed. don't let this deter from your dreams for in knowledge there is power. start networking now. volunteer, work as a cna. be the best nurse you can be.

i wish you the best on your nursing journey.:loveya:

[grownuprosie]

I am a nursing student. (Just had my last day of my first year!) I think it is important to hear how current nurses feel about their jobs. Every student should know what the job outlook is for them. How hard they will have to work to get that first job that will probably be LTC nocs 75 miles from home. I dont like what i hear form people about how "nursing is recession proof" and how they make so much money. A reality check is in order. Do some research and really get to know your chosen profession. This board is a great place for that. If after that, you are still all in, thank the naysayers for their input and change the subject.

[NeoPediRN]

She's giving you honest advice. It's a terrible market right now and I know many nurses who got their licenses, job searched for 2 years and then went into another field because there just isn't any work. If I could do it all over again I would have gone right for the PA I think.