Why is nursing so popular right now?

Sensoria17 · Jan 1, 2008

Well, for me it is simply the money. After getting a BS in sociology, I really couldn't get a job paying more than $15/hr. I could make more if I went for my Master's but that is another 2-3 years. Just by getting an LVN license I'd be making almost double what I would working as a social worker.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 1, 2008

Like everything in the USA I think media plays a huge part in the awareness of a possible shortage. As for the school problems I think very simply they need to pay instructors more because that to me is the biggest factor in the shortage of program spots available. Just my two cents of course. :)

AprilRNhere · Jan 1, 2008

I think it's the overall job shortage. It costs much more to raise a family..and there seem to be few good paying jobs out there. So..a job that many wouldn't have considered...is ok now.

Also...I think (not all) but many natural caregivers have been stay at home moms. Now....the economy isn't easy to stay home anymore...so they've done what they know...they care for people---more nurses.

scallywags · Jan 1, 2008

Nursing to me has always been a in demand career, so why are people impacting schools and scrambling to be nurses right now? What are your thoughts on this and if you could solve the impactment of schools around the U.S. what would you do?

From what I understand from talking with others, part of the problem is the lack of instructors and funding for nursing schools. Schools are not able to turn out nurses to fill the demand because they do not have instructors willing to leave the hospitals for a lower pay. Additionally, In CA there is a limit on the amount of students that can graduate from a nursing program each graduation period. In order to work around that, schools need to have a day and evening program. Some are now starting to offer that, but the resources are limited.

I think a lot of private schools are popping up now to meet some of those demands on the LVN and LVN-RN levels, at a high cost.

How could we change that? I think that the government has to allocate more money towards education. I have been out of high school for 18 years now (gasp) and I remember friends who I met in college many years ago having much of the same concerns about getting into nursing programs as many of us have had to face in the recent years.

rph3664 · Jan 1, 2008

I believe that it is because people can get a well-paying job that is secure, without having to get a 4-year (or longer) degree. It's also appealing to many women because they can work part-time, or evenings and weekends, while raising their children.

It's also very popular for people who are switching careers, or people in JTPA, for the above reasons.

JTPA is a Federally funded program for displaced workers, which will pay for vocational training. I have known lots of people who used it and were very grateful.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 1, 2008

Nursing seems popular because of the flexible hours and the availability to make extra money at a moment's notice. Just yesterday, before I went to a party, one of the agencies I work for called and offered an assignment to administer vaccines for Saturday. I can make $300 that day, which can pay two bills. It is true that we are exposed to many things such as abusive patients, families and managers, but, if we really need the money, we usually will deal with it for at least a day or two, or to meet a goal such as paying a nagging bill, college tuition, a vacation, or whatever. I don't know of many other professions where you can basically sign up for an agency informally and get work the same or next day.

The shortage (while horribly unfair to patient care and our well being) allows us to sample different places with minimal commitment in most cases. When applying for jobs, most facilities know that nurses job hop, and they are usually desperate for a warm body, so, we may take it for a moment to view the land, or we may make a home there.

People see nurses always speaking about the money made doing certain things and it probably attracts those wishing to have those same opportunities. I have had a few friends say to me that they wish to grab a gig and make a few hundred dollars and try to hop on the same bandwagon.

I do believe that instructors should be given more financial incentives to remain in their positions. This may open doors by increasing seats in the nursing programs. But the issue I have is that now that the trend is to encourage nurses to enter on the BSN level, it will not improve the nursing shortage, because the bottom line is that the shortage is at the BEDSIDE. Most of those nurses will do the bedside to pay their dues, but most move on to other things (mainly because of the horrible conditions and bullying we are exposed to). Believe me, I think that there is a need for nurses in every walk; case managers, informatics, research, teaching and all of that. But, the patient that is sick is concerned about who is caring for them at that time; for the average person, the dynamics going on behind the scenes that nurses are taking part in to impact their care is not important to them. Basically, it looks like they are turning out nurses to fill these gaps for a few years at best, but it may be harder to replace them if there are not enough seats available for candidates that can make a difference.