With jobs in such short supply should I still get my RN?

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Specializes in Emeregancy/EMT.

After 3 years as a combat medic in the Army my dream was to become an RN and eventually a certified nurse midwife. I am a single mother of 2 little girls and I go to Lorain County Community College in Elyria,OH. My Mom is a RN and tells me that I should do something else because there aren't enough nursing jobs these days. I looked up stuff on the job shortage and I heard that the job shortage is because of the recession and after the recession is over the nursing shortage will be back in full swing we just have to wait it out. So I guess my question is to the people who know Is "Is it still worth it to become an RN?" I love health care and nursing and it is my dream but realistically I have 2 kids I will have to get an education and get a job doing something that with support us. So from a completely practical standpoint should I still do this?

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Only you can answer that question. I don't mean to sound harsh, but there are no guarantees in life. No matter what you do career wise, there will always be a bit of uncertainty, especially in these times. Whenever I see these types of threads along with ones saying don't go into nursing, my question is, can you name a career right now that you will BE GUARANTEED a job as a new grad as soon as you have your degree/license in hand?

Which field right now that the recession has had 0 effect on? And one that you would be interested in, qualified for and good at? I dunno, all this talk of no jobs does not phase me because no one is having a grand ol time in the job search department no matter their career choice. As far as I'm concerned, these decisions really come down to where your heart lies and how hard you are willing to get to where you want to get to.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I agree with mangopeach. Although the job market looks grim for nurses right now, I'm still going for my BSN in nursing. Job market is rough with all careers. There is no job that is recession proof.

With that said, try to ignore those threads telling pre-nursing students not to go into nursing. I've always wanted to be in the medical field, and I'm going to accomplish that goal. If you desire to be a midwife one day, then follow that dream. If not, the "what if" thoughts will pop up quite a bit in your life.

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My 18 year old sister in law can't even get a job at McDonalds right now. My friends husband with his BA in accounting and 4 years experience can't even get a bookkeeper job right now. My friend who is a finishing carpenter can't get a job right now. I havent been able to use my phlebotomy cert or my LNA. See the trend...All we can do is keep applying and keep hoping...and wait it out.

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

Ditto.

All the recession did to nursing was make the jobs very competitive. Before plenty of C student nurses ( not that this is bad) were still guaranteed jobs. In other fields that was a no go. Now all that has happened is that hospitals can be much more picky with you they hire. I live in the NY metro area and believe me jobs for new grads are hard to get(especially since one hospitals in the city closed and left 500 nurses with exp. jobless). However, I am still planning on entering an ABSN program in Fall 2011. I plan in becoming an NNP/PNP one day and a lack of employment will not stop me. I plan on being on the top of the pack and I will get a job. I have faith.

If you want to be a nurse..do it.

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I had those same thoughts as well before I decided to finish off my pre-reqs for nursing. I say who knows whats going to happen with the economy. I also hear that rural areas need nurses, but that not many nurses have a desire to work in a rural area. A job is better than no job. I say go for a BSN then your job prospects will be better. The job market is tough for ALL fields not just nursing. Of course its still worth it to become an RN. You have to ignore the nay sayers. Good luck.

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I think you have to decide if its really your dream. I was also a medic in the military for 3 years (been a long time since then though). I always wanted to be a nurse. I have a full time job that pays decent and I plan to keep it while going to school. This is going to be really hard and I have two kids to add to that. But I have to support myself and if I get out and can't find a job I won't be stressing about it. Right now I'm looking at it as a dream and not as a way to make a living. That's me though. I know eventually it will pay off but I'm not depending on having a job after I graduate. If you think you can't risk it then maybe look into doing something else. Unfortunately, like everyone else has mentioned there are no guaranteed careers right now.

I'm not in the program yet (spring 2011, fingers crossed) but it would be really nice if the job market turns around by the time I graduate in 2013.

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Go for it! There is a huge number of RNs (such as myself) just on the edge of retirement. By the time you have completed your program I suspect there will be plenty of jobs.

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Specializes in Emeregancy/EMT.

thank you I love simple answers.

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