Sadly discouraged and just Starting.

nycNurse2b · Nov 30, 2011

I hate to be the Debbie Downer here, but the job market for new nurses is incredibly tight. And I honestly cannot imagine it getting better anytime soon. I'm nervous you will be in an extra precarious position in your job search as you will be up against new nurses who are younger and have BSNs.

I'm sorry. But it really sucks right now.

olivia28 · Dec 1, 2011

Debmom-

I disagree with the above poster. I know the job market sucks, but I do believe it is getting better. There is much that has to be worked out in healthcare, but the tide will change in 2-5 years as the older generation begins to retire. Age is nothing but a number in my opinion. I work with a young grandmother who became a nurse around the same age as you will complete your degree. Nursing is her calling and she dedicated her life to raising her children and went back to school. Yes, nowadays new grads need to find creative ways to get their first job, but it can be done. I have done it and many of my ADN classmated did it also, yes in the tri state area.

nycnurse2b, I feel sympathy for those who cannot find a position in this economy. All businesses are afected by the worldwide economy these days and it does not help that you have taken out loans and worked hard for what seems like nothing. It is hard to remain positive as the time goes by, but I encourage you to focus on the positive things in your life. It is taking some longer than others to land a position and it seems RIDICULOUS to have to wait so long for a breaktrhru. I wish you nothing but luck and prosperity in the future.

Olivia

karenschmidt · Dec 1, 2011

I would not do it ever again. It's long hrs with little thanks. a lot of horrible places to work since nurses give up, so you have less help and more work but not more pay. if you stay in it be specific...not a a general nurse. you will have to pay your dues, being low person on the job. if you can handle that good luck...I have been in it since the 80's and have never worked any where that there wasn't problems. your license can often be in jeopardy..eg handling an overload of pts. something happens and some one has to take the hit. I have some how gotten thru without ever having a mark against me. but a good friends lost her license. (a 90 plus year old on a vent and dying died. it was not her fault but the family could not let go of this dying person,the only thing she did not do right was call the state immediately and report that she was being put in the position of too many pts and not enough help. hospital did not back her up.) know your state laws...which have a lot of grey areas usually. eg. if you go into a facility and accept report and keys you are on board. now you see that the work load is humanly impossible. you refuse the shift...you can be brought up on abandonment changes. if do not accept the keys or report the charges MAY not stick. have tons of Liability Insurance of your own..DO NOT count on the facility's. remember schools are a business and want yours so they will sell you a bill of goods as will an employer. my director of nsg at college said this.. the nurses notes are for a law suit. so do them well and cover your butt. set limits for yourself and if what you are a asked to do feels real uncomfortable do something about it. that said , you will be black balled. nurses are not united therefore you will stand alone if you want to make changes to protect the industry. you will see horror stories inside the industry, especially privately owned nursing homes. Since the 8o's I have seen lots of new rules and a decline in care and caring...that said I love being a nurse I hate the lack of caring about the pt. and that paper work has become the thing to do.

if you continue and if you CAN get your lpn license 1/2 thru your rn program do it.

it helps prepare you for the rn boards and in most states if you fail your rn & you passed your lpn you can still work as a nurse not as a cna. if you are not in 2yr rn program think about doing that instead of an LPN program. not too much difference in time. having both licenses is handy depending on the job market where you are. you can use either or. (ck. the state law)

this course you are taking might put you in the job market but consider the price. ck out the # of nurses on disability or contracted HIV or Hep and why especially in your area. be careful, make educated decisions do your own homework.. never assume anyone has your back. ..good luck..

HIPAA · Dec 7, 2011

The market for nurses is incredibly tight nation wide, and especially so in the urban areas where pay is higher.

If you need to make a significant salary, you will probably be better off with an MBA or advanced education degree. If you have a strong desire to work in the healthcare field, you should consider becoming a PA.

Just my 2 cents.