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Discussion

Taking a year off?

Anyone planning on doing this? Well, maybe not a full year but at least some time before working? Whether economy-imposed or by personal choice. I know people do this frequently after college but nursing seems to have this built in expectation that you will go straight to work after graduation. I graduate in December but may not go to work until summer. Or maybe not until summer is over. Who knows. I'm just tired. :zzzzz I took 10 years off between LPN and BSN and it all came back quickly. I'm thinking a year off after BSN won't cause me to forget it all, right??

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In the current climate - at least in these parts (Northern Cali) - that's a risky choice. The colleges are spitting out new grads at a pace that far exceeds the demands of the marketplace (especially for the desirable jobs). Taking time off puts you just a bit behind your peers. Personally, I'm planning to start working the day after I graduate if I can possible manage it.

I would apply and see what you get offered before deciding to take a year off. I graduated in May 2008 and have applied to over 50 new grad programs and haven't gotten a single offer. I got a year off without asking for it, now it is getting less and less hopeful that I will find something.

Yeah, DO NOT do this. You will be at the absolute bottom of the barrel for hiring when you come back. Pretty much anywhere would rather have a brand-new new graduate than someone who's been out of school for six months or a year.

  • Author

Part of the reason I asked is because my husband is Navy and we may have to move to the PA/NJ area. I've heard really bad things about the nursing market there. So I was thinking if the economy is going to force the issue maybe I should make it my decision rather than getting my hopes up and then not getting a job. Do you guys think things will get better when/if the economy starts to come back up or are we heading into a nursing glut in general?

  • Experts

I think eventually the market will be okay but for now, I wouldn't chance not at least trying to find a job. Since you are a military spouse, I would also look into nursing jobs at the base hospital where you would have spousal preference. The VA is another option.

  • Author

Spousal preference? I had no idea there was such a thing!

my dad is a disable vet from vietnam. the VA, yeah they have spousal preference and dependent preference too.

Do you guys think things will get better when/if the economy starts to come back up or are we heading into a nursing glut in general?

In my opinion the answer is "yes" and "yes."

Surely a better economy will create more nursing jobs but the whole "shortage" thing has been so overplayed that the glut that we're starting to see was inevitable. With new programs popping up all the time and most/all programs being impacted, it's a virtual certainty in my mind that we're going to overshoot and find supply far exceeding demand.

In my former career - engineering - we heard for years about unfilled jobs and the unmet need for engineers. At the same time, people were steadily being laid off and replaced by foreign engineers who met some specialized skill requirement - which sometimes was as simple as being fluent in THEIR native language. It's similar to the issue that new grads are facing now... "experienced only need apply"

  • Author
In my opinion the answer is "yes" and "yes."

Surely a better economy will create more nursing jobs but the whole "shortage" thing has been so overplayed that the glut that we're starting to see was inevitable. With new programs popping up all the time and most/all programs being impacted, it's a virtual certainty in my mind that we're going to overshoot and find supply far exceeding demand.

In my former career - engineering - we heard for years about unfilled jobs and the unmet need for engineers. At the same time, people were steadily being laid off and replaced by foreign engineers who met some specialized skill requirement - which sometimes was as simple as being fluent in THEIR native language. It's similar to the issue that new grads are facing now... "experienced only need apply"

If that's the case then they need to go ahead and make entry level a BSN and stop using the shortage as an excuse. :banghead:

  • Experts
So I was thinking if the economy is going to force the issue maybe I should make it my decision rather than getting my hopes up and then not getting a job. Do you guys think things will get better when/if the economy starts to come back up or are we heading into a nursing glut in general?

If you were a new-new grad I'd urge you to definitely find work of some sort but since you've worked as a nurse for years you are probably in a better spot if you want to take some time off. So if you are honest and don't feel like working now I don't think it would be the kiss of death but that said I wouldn't not look for work just to avoid getting your hopes dashed in a bad economy. There are still nursing jobs for experienced nurses like yourself especially if you aren't too picky about where you work. Good luck!

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