What is it really like? (job market, fulfillment, family time)

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I'm considering switching my major into nursing. I have already gotten into a great program and everything, but I'm still undecided. I have a few questions.. I heard that there really isn't a nursing shortage just a lack of experienced nurses. Is this true, what is your take on this? Also, I hear many nurses complaining about their jobs. Some say that they hate the career they chose, my mother being one of them. She doesn't exactly have my back on this whole nursing idea. So do many nurses hate their careers? I know I shouldn't rely on the internet, but I see so many nurses complaining about their jobs and most of the nurses I know just seem miserable. My last question is how much family time do you have? Nurses typically work 12 hour shifts. My mom was able to raise me fine on her own, but I am an only child and I would like to have more than one someday. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There is not a shortage of inexperienced new grads in much of the country. There is also a second issue of facilities posting but electing to not fill open positions and preferring to work short staffed or pay overtime.

Fulfillment is relative. Not all jobs are full time. Some work 8's some work 12's. some work days, evenings, nights or rotating shifts.

You'll likely read the most difficult tales in this forum when otherwise happy nurses come to vent about problems and difficulties to an anonymous collection of colleagues who likely understand.

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Thanks for your response! So would you recommend that someone should go into nursing then? I'm mainly concerned about family time for my children.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's a personal decision.

I love being a nurse. I love the interaction. The constant education, change and innovation.

But be aware that new grads that do find a job are usually low man on the totem poll so they get evenings, overnights, weekends & holiday shifts while more senior nurses get the more coveted weekday days. But that's not much different from any other industry that has 24/7 hours.

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I agree with JustBeachy - it's got to be a personal decision.

I think the negatives about nursing are articulated more commonly than the positives. The negatives often are the first things that come to mind. There are positives, but sometimes it's hard to remind ourselves to see the positives. I hated being a floor nurse (loved some of the patients but hated having 6 patients all night every night). I love my current job (I work in the OR).

Job market - depends on what part of the country you live in. Often it helps to work part time in an organization during nursing school as many places want to hire from within.

Fulfillment - also depends on where you live/who you work for. My current employer is way better to RNs than my previous employers. It can also depend on coworkers on a given unit...

Family time - nursing is pretty flexible. Most jobs have per diem/as needed staff, part time (12-32 hours a week generally) and full time (36-40 hours a week) options. That said, one shift a week on nights would be a pain in my book and I wouldn't do it - trying to sleep before and after work? Not cool.

By the way - it is also easier to vent to other nurses, especially those familiar with your specialty, than to talk to family members about the pitfalls of work. It's why a lot of us complain online about work... Not that families don't listen, but they can't fully or truly understand something they don't have experience with.

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I can relate. I've decided to go nursing for the very reasons you questioned. By the time you're done with your program our country will need nurses and that'll only grow. As for family and wanting kiddos in the future, I'm right there with you! Nursing was alluring because if you want to work 3 12's you can or if you can only work weekends at can be done too.

You could also get an advanced degree pre-kids and that opens up doors too. Really though it comes down to you and who you are.

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