What is the point of becoming a nurse?!

[newRN121]

I am starting to see from threads and other sites that cities are being flooded with new grads and their are barely any jobs in the market. What is the point of going through nursing school and spending all that money to graduate and not get a job. I live in Houston, TX and every place I call says that they are only hiring nurses with experience.

[ClaudiaTNT]

"There" are sufficient jobs for competent nurses in various fields. There are no guarantees in any career. Seems that aside from real passion your concern is merely a check, might I suggest a less competitive field such as public safety, or even joining the military where there is a guaranteed job.

[OnwardEver]

Thank you for your advice but i still dont see how that solves the problem of over saturation of nurses in the nursing feild

Igunbor, you started out asking why become a nurse if you won't find a job once you graduate and then you shifted to "the problem of oversaturation of nurses in the nursing field" when you received a response that stated it depends on where you are looking. I think it's clear that there are areas of saturation, especially in cities that have several nursing programs and one or a few smaller hospitals that can't possibly hire all the students that choose to stay where they graduate due to economics or other factors.

The suggestion seems to be that if you're willing to travel elsewhere where there is a pocket of jobs and need for RNs you may be able to secure a position. Often, once you get your experience, you can come back and go for a position that requires it. Not all places have a glut of nursing programs and realize that once nurses that have been working for 30+ years retire and the baby boomer generation itself retires, needs will increase due in part to the vacancies left by retired nurses and the increase in the demand for skilled nursing care due to an increase in the population requiring care.

So the problem is much more than "oversaturation". The projections for shortage and needs in nursing involve changes in populations and are different depending on where you go. In a more competitive market you must set yourself apart and network. In the end, though, if nursing is what you want to do then don't you owe it to yourself to pursue it and fight for the job you want rather than sit around trying to find reasons NOT to? If it's really what you want...

[Susie2310]

Wow so some nursing students are willing to become a nurse knowing that their is no jobs out their that is crazy that motivates me so much i just hope that i can make it

As far as I know, this problem is not unique to nursing, as other people have mentioned. And it doesn't mean there is no hope. I understand from reading here that often the people who managed to get jobs after graduation had already worked as CNA's or PCT's and their work ethics were known to the facility that hired them. So getting your foot in the door that way is one option to consider. Also, economic cycles change, and one day the current jobs situation will change for new grads too, as people have said. New grads are still finding jobs, but many are having to go the extra mile, i.e. relocate or start in LTC. I believe the situation is hard, but not hopeless. As other people have said, there are no guarantees of jobs no matter what profession you go in to. The physical care of patients is at least one job that cannot be outsourced. I think keeping a positive attitude is very important.

[SweetPEI]

Hmm... I wonder if this message is being pondered upon...

[Amber628]

I think alot of people have hit the nail on the head, currently as a nursing student i hear ALOT of my peers saying they wont work here or there. As a new nurse TAKE WHAT YOU CAN being picky, isnt going to land you a job. It is much easier to get a job when you already have one!

Best of luck jobhunting !

[PNicholas]

You can always consider new grad programs that a lot of hospitals have. Most want you to have 6 months or less experience. Might not be your "dream" job but it is a great way to start your nursing career.

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

I think if your asking that question then your going into the wrong feild

[EmilysMama]

I know as a beginning nursing student, that the motivation for me to even got to school is just to LEARN. The medicine and science of how the human body works is fascinating. Being able to be a part of that and understand why is part of the thrill. I have a daughter at home that is a special case as well.. she is 95% the reason why I am doing this. So I am willing wait out the influx of nurses if need be, or even re locate. My intention is to be able to help her first, earn a little extra money in a job that I have ALWAYS wanted to do second. Oddly enough my job before this was as a truck driver, there are always jobs driving as long as you have a CDL!

[raianne]

They're/their/there

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

I do not believe for one minute that an RN or LPN Grad cannot find a job....wherever you live....you have to start networking at every clinical, meet people, ask for guidance in finding your way to a good gig....I live in Denver and it seems as if there are nursing schools on every block, hence one would think it nearly impossible to land a job here....well it isn't true....you have to get a job by working it, by making finding a job your full-time job....I was hired before I even tested for my license, and the only reason I was is because I out worked, and out hustled my competition....and most importantly you have to have a good attitude, nothing good comes from wanting or wishing....you gotta start doing.....

[Boxer Mama]

I guess this is where you decide if you really want to be a nurse. I have been wanting to go back for my RN for many years and finally started working on classes a year ago. This is not an easy path to take, but this is something I have wanted for a long time. It also comes down to who you know. Go out and network, volunteer in a hospital and let people get to know you. Do really well in your clinicals and make connections there. I could go on and on about "what's the point," but that is for you to decide on your own. If there is not a true passion and drive behind wanting to be a nurse and doing just about anything to get there, then there really is no point.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

They're/their/there

*** Ha! 20 out of 20 and I still mess it up when writing. I never mistake "their & they're" with "there". However I missuse "their" & "they're" now and then.