think I would make a great nurse but scared about a few things

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Specializes in Obstetrics, Women's Health.

Okay, so I'll try to keep this short. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Sociology (I wanted to be a counselor) but I didn't really like where I felt like my life opportunities were heading... so I dropped the idea of pursuing a higher degree. Then, I found myself in academic limbo. I really REALLY want to help young women and women so I decided that nursing would give me the opportunity to do that, as well as help people in many various other ways too.

Right now, I'm taking a few nursing pre-req classes and plan to apply to two different RN programs in my state next February. But! I'm scared of a couple of things.

1. A lot of people on the forum talk about how there are no jobs for new nurses out there. I don't really want to pay all this money for school and then be unemployed. How bad is it out there?

2. I work a night job right now as a Youth Care Worker at a residential mental health center and I have to say I really, really hate nights!! Do all nurses have to work nights? I could do it during school, but I really don't know about for a much more extended period of time.

Now, I really believe I would make a good nurse. A great one, even, but those two things scare me have to death and keep me up all day!

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I graduated about 3 years ago and had no trouble finding a job right after graduation. In fact, a lot of my classmates were already hired by the time they graduated. I had several different opportunities and chose one that fit best with my life and what I wanted to do.

I started out working nights, but my supervisors knew I wanted to go to day shift. I kept my eye out for job postings in my hospital that had day shift available, and I actually transferred to day shift after working ~4 months on night shift. Several nurses that were hired after me at this particular location (that were new grads also) didn't have to work night shift at all.

I haven't read posts about how there are no jobs for new nurses, and I see ads in the newspaper frequently for nurses in all sorts of fields. Considering the nursing shortage that the entire world has, I wouldn't be too concerned about being employed.

Good luck to you, and welcome to nursing if you decide to continue pursuing this profession! :clown:

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Specializes in LTC.

1. I'm in MN and it took me 6 months to find a job. The job market really depends on where you live. I can't say a lot about the job markets other than MN. In MN there are jobs, but they can take awhile to find and they probably won't be your dream job.

2. I've been seeing new grads hired to evening and day shifts. I don't know how often this happens. Normally day shift is a coveted and fought over position.

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Specializes in Obstetrics, Women's Health.

Thanks for the responses. I think I would enjoy nursing, I really do. I hope I can feel good soon... :/

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

i am a new grad, passed the nclex, etc.

i had a job offer prior to gradation, and my a average and hard work really helped to make this happen.

as a new grad nurse, i take what i get. you cannot be picky as a new graduate, you are the newbie, and you must earn your spot. i actually like night shifts, i do not have a preference, but many nurses do.

working nights in a hospital is par for the course, you have to accept that.

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Specializes in Critical Care-Neuro/Trauma ICU.

I just graduated in May and I started applying for nursing jobs in March prior to graduation. I had a job lined up before I even passed NCLEX. I was actually hired for a day shift position but requested to switch to nights (I'm a night owl :p). My nurse manager actually just hired 3 new grads for day shift so it's not impossible. HOWEVER, most facilities do prefer to start new grads on nights and it's really for your own benefit. You can always switch to days when you feel comfortable if you can't start out on days immediately. If you want to be a nurse do it! All of the other details will fall into place!

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

I took a job on day shift as a new grad because of the shift differentials all the experienced nurses fought for night shifts. I did train on nights because, frankly, its easier. Less family in your face while you fumble through learning the basics of functioning on your own. I was also hired five months before I even graduated to start work as soon as I had license in hand but it was before the economy went down the tube.

You don't have to necessarily work in a hospital when you graduate. You may luck out and be able to get an office job or some other 8 hour day shift but you'll be missing out on the variety and the training a hospital gives you.

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I graduated in 6/09. I had a job lined up before graduation. It took many of my classmates months to find a job. Some could only secure part-time work. A few still do not have jobs and have decided to fill the gap by going back to school for a higher degree, either BSN or MSN.

In the hospital, 1/2 the staff nurses work days; the other 1/2 works nights, or around about. The shift differential for nights is so high where I work, that it's hard to get a night shift position and there is a waiting list to get one of those coveted night spots. I don't think I'd survive nights, so I'm more than happy to make the lower day shift pay.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

I work nights and I'm a new graduate. It's fine with me, because of all the shift differentials. If you want to be a nurse, go for it. Don't let your dreams disappear just because the economy is bad. Go for it!

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I graduated about 3 years ago and had no trouble finding a job right after graduation. In fact, a lot of my classmates were already hired by the time they graduated. I had several different opportunities and chose one that fit best with my life and what I wanted to do.

I started out working nights, but my supervisors knew I wanted to go to day shift. I kept my eye out for job postings in my hospital that had day shift available, and I actually transferred to day shift after working ~4 months on night shift. Several nurses that were hired after me at this particular location (that were new grads also) didn't have to work night shift at all.

I haven't read posts about how there are no jobs for new nurses, and I see ads in the newspaper frequently for nurses in all sorts of fields. Considering the nursing shortage that the entire world has, I wouldn't be too concerned about being employed.

Good luck to you, and welcome to nursing if you decide to continue pursuing this profession! :clown:

Well trust me there are 100 and one nurses who are desperate for any job.

Most nurses starts on nights,and it is a wise thing to do in nursing.Everyone has to start "low",start at the bottom, and then build their way up,sorta like a baptism by fire.

I dont know what to tell you OP,if you love nursing go for it if you dont love it then do yourself a favor and save yourself from all this frustration of not being able to land a job.

I could sweet talk you for almost all night,but that would be way to far from the truth.

It is hard to get a nursing job now,period.

Nursing is a hard and stressful job.You barely feel appreciated by families.Your bosses only care about surveys,documentation.There are good days sometimes as well but those are far and between...

Ps.And this comes from a new nurse who couldnt find a job for many months ,was eaten by more experienced workers,and who works her butt off for an experience sake(doing my time in) and feel arleady burn out,unappreciated and tired about nursing politics.

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First of all, welcome to allnurses! :D

I will be honest with you. I graduated with a BSN in May 2009 and I have still not been able to find a job. I have only had one interview. I could go on for a very long time about how sad I feel about this, but I'll spare you. I am sure it depends on where you live to some extent; admittedly, my area is quite saturated with new grads. However, judging by all the posts I have read here, it does seem to be a widespread problem. All we can do is hope that things will be better by the time you graduate.

Good luck in school, and I hope you have a wonderful career ahead of you. Despite my problems, I can say that I truly love nursing and the last thing I want to do is give up on it, although it looks like I may be forced to eventually.

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