Will it ever get better out there?

elkpark · Dec 20, 2013

The short answer is that no one knows. We'll all just have to wait and see what happens with the economy.

It's worth noting that the "new grads need not apply" trend was starting before the economy tanked. A lot of hospitals feel that they have had too many bad experiences with new grads (please note I'm not saying that they're right to feel that way, just noting that they do), because a) they feel that new grads are coming out of school not prepared for entry into real-life practice, which means the hospitals have to spend a lot of time and $$$ teaching news grads stuff that they (the hospitals) think they should have learned in nursing school and b) there is a lot more job-hopping by new grads than there used to be. Since that phenomenon is not a function of the poor economy, I don't think we can assume that it will automatically go away when the economy improves. I don't think that is really going to change until there is a true nursing shortage again, and hospitals/facilities don't reallly have a choice.

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2013

Given the changes in healthcare that are happening, which nobody seems to be able to agree on in terms of affecting healthcare careers, I don't see it improving by then. It is going to take a LONG time to hammer out the problems and economics of the healthcare crisis in America. Most seem in consensus though that there will be fewer roles for generic nurses and more roles for advanced practice nurses and for unlicensed personnel.

friendlyjane · Dec 20, 2013

Thanks y'all. I know no one can see the future, I guess I am just scared that I will not be able to get a job after so much hard work. I am not totally naive to the role of the bedside nurse. I was an LVN for 1 1/2 years at a hospital right out of high school. I then became a mother and a stay at home mom. That was 15 years ago. I know things have changed so much but I know what type of work I am getting into.

It would be a nightmare if I find myself in that situation of not working as an RN. I was thinking of getting a part time CNA job at a hospital to get my foot in the door. Do you think that would help my odds? I would work my tale off as a CNA.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

What about your LVN license? Get it reinstated if you let it lapse. you could do a LPN/RN/BSN bridge program online.

The job market I think will slowly improve but we won't see a real change until around 2020....give or take. I feel the economy needs to improve so that people who really don't like nursing will be able to get sustainable work outside of nursing. That is what has happened in the past. However I think the days of old are gone for good.

RunBabyRN · Dec 20, 2013

Just from what I've seen here in the forums, the whole "CNA for the foot in the door" gets mixed results. It couldn't hurt, but it's certainly not a guarantee. I'm graduating in May, and I have a good lead on a position at the hospital where I'm doing clinicals, because I spoke with the nurse manager on the unit where I've been working, who is transferring to the unit where I want to work later this month. She's seen how I work and spoken with nurses that I've worked with, so she's interested in me. It's all about networking and showing what you can bring to the table. Otherwise you're just another resume on a computer screen with no recent experience trying to find a way to stand out.

The future is uncertain, at best. How long ago was it that there was a teacher shortage? Then all of these new grad teachers couldn't find jobs, there were (and continue to be) massive lay-offs, etc. Yes, kids will always need to be educated just as people will always get sick, but there are no guarantees. So don't count on the market getting better. I hear all kinds of things about the market, how nurses who couldn't afford to retire when the market tanked now need to because their bodies can no longer handle the rigors of nursing, how people are holding onto jobs for dear life, and everything in between. So who knows.

Follow your heart, wherever it guides you, and put your heart into your schooling. It'll show if you really have it. Is nursing a passion, or is there something else that you love doing?

hope3456, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

Given the changes in healthcare that are happening which nobody seems to be able to agree on in terms of affecting healthcare careers, I don't see it improving by then. It is going to take a LONG time to hammer out the problems and economics of the healthcare crisis in America. Most seem in consensus though that there will be fewer roles for generic nurses and more roles for advanced practice nurses and for unlicensed personnel.[/quote']
I have read this too. The job market for nurses also is very dependent on location. A lot of new nurses are having to relocate or commute long distances.

friendlyjane · Dec 20, 2013

I have read this too. The job market for nurses also is very dependent on location. A lot of new nurses are having to relocate or commute long distances.

Yes. My sister is a nurse at a rural hospital about an hour from where i live. I really would not want to but if I was desperate I would ask for her to help me get a job. I hate even writing that out. Does that seem wrong? Seems like I would be putting her in a tough spot. I think if I still did not have a job 6 months after graduation she probably would volunteer to help me.

Lots of planning about things that might not even happen. I will just take things as they come. Thanks for all the responses.

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2013

Wow, that sounds so far away. Will the job market improve for RN's by that time? I really can't rely on government projection, I just don't trust them. What do y'all see for the future for us aspiring RN's when it comes to jobs?

You distrust "the government" but seek out the counsel of a bunch of random yahoos on the internet? Okay....

Look at the history of the demand for nursing graduates going back 20 or 30 years. Whatever trends you see in that time are probably going to continue.

friendlyjane · Dec 21, 2013

You distrust "the government" but seek out the counsel of a bunch of random yahoos on the internet? Okay....
Look at the history of the demand for nursing graduates going back 20 or 30 years. Whatever trends you see in that time are probably going to continue.

Lol. I guess that sounds strange if you put it that way, but I am smart enough to wade through the responses and take what I need from them.

The government just over complicates things and I really don't trust their motives in anything. This site, I really don't know anyone's motives so I will give them the benefit of the dought.

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Dec 22, 2013

Lol. I guess that sounds strange if you put it that way, but I am smart enough to wade through the responses and take what I need from them.
The government just over complicates things and I really don't trust their motives in anything. This site, I really don't know anyone's motives so I will give them the benefit of the dought.

All right, but the reliable information you are going to get from anyone posting here on job numbers probably was sourced from "the gubmint." Not to mention the distressing fact that a healthy junk of your wages as a caregiver come from evil "government programs."

If you truly don't trust "their motives in anything" then you should definitely not, not, not become a nurse. You have to take a "government" test just to be licensed to become one after all.

friendlyjane · Dec 23, 2013

All right, but the reliable information you are going to get from anyone posting here on job numbers probably was sourced from "the gubmint." Not to mention the distressing fact that a healthy junk of your wages as a caregiver come from evil "government programs."
If you truly don't trust "their motives in anything" then you should definitely not, not, not become a nurse. You have to take a "government" test just to be licensed to become one after all.

I really don't know why this is becoming about government. I just asked a question and mentioned the government once about how their info just does not jive with the real world in nursing and jobs. Why are you being so up tight? If I just HAD to get away from government I would have to move to Antarctica. Government is everywhere and is involved in almost everything. Just because I used the word " anything" in my post when I should have used the words "many things" or "some things" does not mean I really want my post to go on some weird tangent about government. Ok, so I used one word wrong. I love allnurses and was thinking about this subject and wanted other nurses opinions. I wrote it quickly in between my two year old being sneaky and trying to open his Christmas presents, getting my daughter to clean her room, and trying to get my teenager off the computer. In a five minute time of quiet I wrote a real quick post, and because it seems not up to par with your standards you just had to dis it. I don't take things personally, and could care less that you find my post bad or whatever you think of it, but you made your point that you think I had a ridiculous post. If you want to add in more info about the question that I asked, go right ahead. Clarify what you see going on in your area. I would just love that. If not please stop going on and on about stupid government.