Would you encourage someone who was considering nursing school?

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  1. Would you encourage someone who was considering nursing school?

    • 1683
      Very encouraging
    • 932
      Moderately encouraging
    • 672
      Neutral
    • 575
      Moderately discouraging
    • 621
      Very discouraging

4,483 members have participated

How encouraging would you be toward someone who was considering going to nursing school?

  • Very encouraging - many jobs will open/re-open as the economy improves and there could be a large group of nurses who could retire in a short time.
  • Moderately encouraging - there will always be a need for nurses as our population ages and chronic illnesses demand attention.
  • Slightly encouraging - it's as good a career field as any and better than many other choices.
  • Neutral - heathcare can work out well for some, but it's not the guarantee it once was of being able to find a good job.
  • Slightly discouraging - there might be jobs, but nurses will be working longer hours at more stressful jobs, and the pay probably won't be worth it.
  • Moderately discouraging - for all the expense and effort it takes to become a nurse, you could go into some other field and end up with far better results.
  • Very discouraging - I would tell them going to nursing school is a big mistake and try to talk them out of it.

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Moderately discourage. Keeps the unmotivated, dispassionate, lazy types out. JMO.

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Specializes in ER, PED'S, NICU, CLINICAL M., ONCO..

I would encourage someone in my place, because it's difficult to find a job, and it's difficult to keep a job in many areas except nursing.

One is not paid as would be in a private comp. doing some other task, but one always will have a job. (Not to mention how many satisfactions on human level one is expected to face being a nurse).

Even though, I would probably do not do the same under a better context.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I'm afraid my answer is never in a million years would I encourage someone to go into Nursing. In todays health care market- doing more with less is the mantra. In most markets that means Less nurses, less NAs, less equipment, less orientation....... This is a very dangerous time to be entering the nursing market. I would take a good, well rounded BS prereq. class schedule and hold off on anything that is Nursing specific until after the great "Health Care Debate" is a little closer to being settled. Hospitals may end up further ahead- and have a bit more money to throw our way. Don't take my word for it- look up the job postings in any of the biggest 3 hospitals in your area- I'd be willing to bet the positions for FT, benifits included positions are few and far between. Day shift positions are non-existant, and there is no pension or 401k match(or at least very little matching). If my grandchildren wanted to follow in my footsteps, I would call the school counselor and have thier head examined.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I stated 'moderately discourage' b/c at this point, not many hospitals are hiring RN grads and it seems there are fewer jobs out there than there was even a couple years ago. I predict there being a 'glut' for the next couple years of new RN's. I think nsg school is alot to go thru to then not be able to get stable employment.

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vashteei agree w/u on the bordem part. i can't stand being bored at any job, i need to be on my feet working.

to answer the poll questions i would say moderately discouraging & slightly discouraging - for all the expense and effort it takes to become a nurse, you could go into some other field and end up with far better results. i like that you put in the "better results" part because that is so general & could mean so many things. better pay/better working conditions/better feeling about yourself (like if someone went into nursing not knowing that it was going to be "like this" (fill in the blank w/ like this) that they would think being at xxx job (non-nursing job) would be better because it's what they enjoy. i'm torn between the moderate&slight. i would be the 1st person in my entire family to get a bachelors degree. i would be the 2nd person in entire family to become a nurse. my niece & 2 little cousins are going to nursing school - but only for the pay. my aunt said, "well she'll be earning alot of $$$, i know some nurses who earn $50/hour in wisconsin." it's like yea that's great, but will she like what she does. i told my exboyfriend once, "i'm not in it for the profit," this was when he was pushing me to go to graduate school, annoying!

i believe that anyone who is going to go to college should do research in their intended major regarding the curriculum, job outlook, salary, expectations (on the job & in school), job role, responsibilities, etc. so basically they should know what it takes to become a nurse, businessman/woman, educator, accountant, teacher, artist, personal trainer, etc. the list goes on.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I would only encourage someone to attend nursing school to become a potential RN only if they are doing it for the right reasons; money not being one of them. We want nurses who will become the best patient advocate possible.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I would be very encouraging unless the person was a dope, lol.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

It depends on the person.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Parish Nurse, Hospice.

I have to say that I agree for the most part with Suanna. I don't thnik that this is a good time for RN's.Some staff members that I have worked with in the pat few years are in for money- you can tell when they don't offer to help others, don't help patients to the bathroom and always call the NA to do bedpan duty. I have 2 relatives that are going to Nsg school, the one is 19 and he has told me that he is not going to be a nurse like me. I don't know what exactly that means- I have worked as a med surg nurse in a hospital for the past 32 years. I try to keep my mouth shut. I do hope that we have nurses to relpace the baby boomers like me that are getting tired and won't work forever. My friends that RN's often comment that they worry about what can of care we will get when we are elderly.

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I am just starting my prereq's this fall, and in making my decision I talked to several friends I have that are nurses as well as my mom (who has been a PACU nurse and is now case management). With the exception of my mom, everyone was wildly encouraging about nursing themselves (they all love their jobs) and about me becoming a nurse (all thinking I'd make a great nurse). My mom is supportive and encouraging, but not necessarily enthusiastic, but it comes from the fact that she has not loved being a nurse in a long time. She actually retires soon. It has been interesting to see the mixed reactions, but I've told everyone...'I'm just getting started, we'll see how it goes!'

I'm coming from 8 years of teaching public school, and my teaching license will not run out in the time I'm pursuing this...I timed it that way on purpose, but right now I feel like it is the right direction for me to be headed!

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Definitely! I would encourage anyone who wanted to undertake nursing....there are lots of opportunities ..a variety of nursing positions/specialties..the chance to travel around the globe..the satisfaction of making a difference in another persons' life...its an amazing job..there are bad days...but thats just a normal part of life...i find that the bad days are when i learn a lot more..!!

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I would be truthful with them about nursing school... it is tough and many waste a lot of money and never make it through. Nurse Educators tend to think it is their job to eat their young rather than train them to be good nurses.

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