Should I become a nurse?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

I realize how hard it is to find a stable, good paying job and know that when I become a nurse I will not have this issue.

There are numerous unemployed people across the U.S. with nursing degrees in their back pockets. Nursing is NOT recession-proof, so do not be fooled. It has definitely been affected by the sluggish economy.

A nursing license is not a guarantee of a stable, good-paying job. Just ask any unemployed nurse who would like to be working about his/her opinion on the matter.

netglow, ASN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

"i want to become a nurse because it pays well, not anymore has great benefits, not anymore and it is very secure. not anymore

LTV950rn · Feb 16, 2011

The first semester of classes I found kind of boring as well, since they are setting the foundation for other things you will be learning-it seems to be mostly nursing theory, etc. Once you get further, it gets more interesting. I really enjoyed pathophysiology and clinical experiences. As with the others, don't depend on nursing to be recession proof or an easy paycheck. If you really want to do it, go for it-for the right reasons. Some people are naive with the pay as well- I am a new grad RN, LPN for 5 years, and one of my LPN co-workers at my previous job was "shocked" that I wasn't going to be making $35/hour at my new job (seriously!!). Good luck to you!!!

G in Scrubs · Feb 16, 2011

Nursing isn't recession-proof anymore. Many of my new graduate friends have issues finding a job in CA. Nursing school is tough, but once you get thrown out there into real world nursing, the learning begins again. I think nursing is definitely challenging and you learn not only a lot of medical stuff, but a lot about your personality and how to deal with people. I feel that my job makes a lot compared to other jobs just salary speaking, but for the work you do, it's just enough to make up for it. I hope you find your path and that you will find your heart in it, because while one can do the job, they can be unhappy. I do feel though that nursing gives a good set of skills and there's different kinds of nursing to do. Perhaps if you're just starting nursing school, you can tough it out. If not...get out once you find out it's not what you want to do! Try getting a job as a CNA I suppose?

VegRN · Feb 16, 2011

Think twice before continuing nursing school. If you already don't like it, that is a red flag. On the other hand, it can be a vehicle to help you get you to where you want to be so think about what you want to get out of it.

I went into it for a lot of the same reasons that you did, good pay, benefit and a stable job. I grew up dirt poor and didn't want to be financially struggling like my parents did, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I became a nurse because it seemed flexible career wise . Nearly a decade into it, it is safe to say I almost resent my job and feel trapped by working only 3 days a week for nearly 100K a year, hard to leave that. I guess a lot of people would love to have my problems now so I can't complain that much. The thing is, it is stressful, nurses have all the responsibility and none of the authority and anytime something goes wrong, the nurse is the first to get blamed. I guess I just feel like it is such a disempowered profession and it eats away after awhile, you can try to be assertive but it gets tiring going against the grain so much. The good thing is that that you can always drop down to part time and work towards something you really want to do. That is my plan anyway.

Trinitas2010RN · Feb 16, 2011

I am currently in a nursing program, I just started on January 10th. I have never dreamed of being a nurse, and am still very unsure. I want to become a nurse because it pays well, has great benefits, and it is very secure. Now I know that noeone should go into a career for the money, but I believe that this is a large factor in most everyones mind. I am a good person and have a good heart. I have much compassion for people and I know that I will make just a fine and dandy nurse once im out of school. But, when im in class I often think, "Oh my gosh this is so much information & I have to work sooo hard for this, SOMETIMES I THINK, do I really want to put all this effort into something im not even sure I want to do? I ALOS THINK THAT LEARNING ABOUT NURSING IS NOT REALLY THAT INTERESTING. I am sort of a free spirited person but am a very professional person at the same time and truly appreciate proffessional jobs and workplaces. I have never foreseen myself working such a straight foward, serious job. I am 25 years old and have been working since I was 15. I realize how hard it is to find a stable, good paying job and know that when I become a nurse I will not have this issue. I have considered other fields in the medical world, but no other position pays as well and is as stable. Can anyone relate to how I am feeling? I am just not sure if I should become a nurse. Any advice would be much appreciated Thanks!

Well looking at the other post you have up I assuming your in the state of Indiana. Now I can't speak to what is happening in Indiana. But I can tell that the Northeast in general nursing jobs are for the most part non-existent for new grads. I've had my RN for a year and there are not job prospect as an RN for me. so I would really look into if you state really has jobs out there for you.

As for school all I can say is that in my experience it just keeps getting harder and you keep getting bombarded my more and more information on top of what you already learned so...get ready for major league overload at points. And let me be full and up front. I already had a bachelors degree before I went back to school for nursing. I actually finished with honors with my bachelors. But it was a completely different deal with nursing. While the early course weren't that bad. But I really struggled to pass the last two course. And I'm telling you I put forth full effort in all my courses (no messing around with me.) So I can say with all confidence if your not in it to win it. I don't think unless your a natural (which I have seen in my classes) at Nursing critical thinking, your going to have a fun time in your courses/clinicals. Granted I not trying to dissuade you...but please think about it really hard about what you want before you get too involved emotionally/financially/intellectually.

Good luck to you in any event.

2000LVN · Feb 16, 2011

:nurse:

this is the question i propose to you. nursing is very demanding physically and emotionally. i personally would not go into it as career and invest more than a year for education if you are not sure that is what you want to do. on the other hand if you are going for your lvn/lpn so you can be stable while you go to school for what you really want to do i have seen it done before. as long as you can do the job properly i think it is just fine. just keep in mind that you are entering a field that is heavily regulated by the state and federal agencies. you must be sure you can perform the requirements of any job you accept because in this field you can make a mistake that can affect you outside of your nursing career. goodluck:rolleyes:!!!

NewRNwillWk4training · Feb 16, 2011

I graduated last June with high honors, BSN, and I am still looking for a job, even a job as an aide. If you aren't sure, then now is not the time to pursue it.