What's the Job Market Going To Be Like In Two Years

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2009

Everything I'm hearing says that this is one field that is recession proof. There's always talk of scary freezes etc, and it goes up and down. They can never replace nursing. With all the aging baby boomers....the need for health care has never been greater. Hospitals aren't the only place to work either! It's a hands on care that nothing can replace--go for it!

AriesPanda · Mar 6, 2009

HI! My family and I are in the same boat - we are making a lot of sacrifices for my education. Every forecast I have read for nursing is positive. I watch the job listings at all the local hospitals and they are constantly hiring. I feel confident positions will be plentiful in two years. I have three years until I am finished, and feel fairly good.

In Pennsylvania we have it good because of the hospitals and the abundant number of colleges - they all have nurses in their health centers, and most pay as well as the hospitals!

Hope that helps!

HappyMeNow · Mar 6, 2009

One of the negative feedback I've heard elsewhere is that even though the hospitals may list their open positions on their websites it doesn't mean that it's actively looking to fill it. I was told that the position will remain open on their websites even if they no longer have the funds to fill it.

suni, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

Healthcare is not recession proof, we have seen cutbacks and hiring freezes. Positions are posted but are not being hired for, all departments including nursing are being told to come up with a way to cut back hours and positions. I believe I would always have a job in nursing and now I am not so sure, for those of us 45 and over the job market will be tough, I hope that experiences really do count when looking for employement but I am afraid we will be in the same boat as GN's.

Additionally many of us have been carrying the health insurance due to our spouses losing their jobs, now cut back to part time and the expense of health insurance on a part time check we may have to choose between carrying it and paying bills.

Do not think you are immune because you are in health care, less insuracne and Medicare reimbursement, higher unemployement, loss of jobs, shorter LOS all impact us.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

You need to start advocate to our local representatives to help out.

K98 · Mar 9, 2009

I agree that health care is not "recession proof", nothing is. The economic events occurring now are unprecedented, our local representatives can do nothing for us. We are sailing into uncharted financial waters, and DC is spending as fast as they can. Spending money that we don't have. Now that the economy is *****, our friends at government house want to "fix" health care.

We are not really feeling the effects of the recession/depression in western Pennsylvania yet. Today's paper had lots of RN listings for the West Penn Allegheny Health System (http://www.wpahs.org). Both RNs and GNs can still easily find work in Pittsburgh if they want to do bedside nursing. I believe there will always be a demand for that. Based on the postings in this forum, I'd have to say that a GN has much better prospects here in the western part of the state. For now.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 10, 2009

I expect this current economic slump to be improved by 2011 with less new grad positions in hospitals due to increasing expanded outpatient services so seeking that first position will require more work.