Concerned About My Nursing Future

Hey everybody,
I am a pre-nursing student and I was talking to one of my fellow pre-nursing students on allnurses today and we are both concerned about what the future maybe like for new grads. We, or at least I won't start NS until Fall 2011 (Yay!!!!) but are wondering what to do. I didn't think to much about it before, but I am now seeing this in the newspapers and more than one or two and it's scary.
I have learned, from reading many of your amazingly inforamative threads and posts, that most new grad have problems finding jobs because they lack experience and it costs a lot of money to train them.
How can we get experience if hardly anyone will hire us unless you have experince. (1 year expereince at that)
What are some suggestions you all have to "get some kind of experience" under our belts. Could we count previous and current CNA work or Nurse Intern/Extern work in a hospital as experience.
As I was telling my friend, I still want to be a nurse, I am just hoping that the future is better for new grads.
For all the current new grads having a hard time, hang in there guys the storm will hopefully be over soon.

I am even willing, presuming I get through nursing school and become a licensed RN, to work a regular job and do volunteer nursing work just to get experience, is that at all possible?

Thanks in advance guy!!!!!!

-PatMac
Wow! Lots of questions! Will try to answer one. If it takes 4 yrs to get a BSN things will be better by then. We boomers will be exiting to retirement when our bodies finally fail. You will probably be taking care of some of us. This downturn in the economy won't last forever although it does seem to be lasting longer than others.It is my opinion that hiring is at a stand still because of the uncertainty in the way the government is working. Without knowing the impending tax structures, business's are hesitant to make a move. Projections in the new health care law remain uncertain. Congress is making radical decisions into territory uncharted. The unknown of "unintended consequences" have the suit and tie group shaking in their shoes.

I agree with the previous post. I think that things will bounce back for nurses by the time you graduate.

There will be jobs. Even people who have been in the field for a long time will need to be flexible, but it is a needed service. I think right now with the poor job market more nurses are holding onto their jobs instead of going into part time or per diem work, so the market is tighter. A lot of hospitals have hiring freezes or are cutting back on their hires, but that can't go on forever. My floor did that, and now they have to hire a traveler to keep our staffing at a safe level. I think health care reform will ultimately help the industry, because more insured people = more patients. At the same time there is going to have to be major cost control, which will cause some growing pains for hospitals. I think one difference in the future is that with all of the emphasis on cost control hospitals will have sicker patients, as more healthy people see shorter stays, and more patients are moved out of ICUs faster. We are already seeing that where I work. That isn't entirely a bad thing, but it will require flexibility on everyone's part. The job market is tough for everyone right now. I still think nursing is a great field and opportunity, though.

I am also a pre-nursing student have had these questions on my mind as well. I am volunteering right now and the supervisor of my unit has told me that it really is "who you know" at this point because employers can be much more selective now. Best advice is to get an externship once in nursing school or work as an aide at the hospital you would like to work in because that is your chance to do some networking.I am interested in hearing what others predict for the future, especially with the new legislation.

I am a senior in NS right now. I'm also older than most students. I got a job at the hospital as a tech so I am learning a lot and I have my foot in the door. It might benefit you if you get your CNA and at least get some start applying to hospitals to get your foot in. I also agree that a lot can change in 2-3 years. There are also a lot of non-traditional nursing jobs out there. I read a few years ago that a degree in nursing opens doors for more jobs than most other degrees these days. I know nurses in research, sales, working for insurance companies, etc. The one constant in nursing is that you can go anywhere in the US and use your degree. That's not true for engineering, marketing, etc. I think a lot will change in health care in the next 2-4 years and jobs won't be so scarce. meredith

Because of the new health care legislation.......uncertainty. Never been done before, no precedence. It's anybodies guess.

Well Thanks so much for the advise guys. Hopefully, on July 17th I will be a CNA. (Yay!!!!!!!!!!!) Also I plan on attending an ADN program first, but things should stil straighten out in three years or at least I hope. Keep the advice coming.

Quote from KeeperMomI am a senior in NS right now. I'm also older than most students. I got a job at the hospital as a tech so I am learning a lot and I have my foot in the door. It might benefit you if you get your CNA and at least get some start applying to hospitals to get your foot in. I also agree that a lot can change in 2-3 years. There are also a lot of non-traditional nursing jobs out there. I read a few years ago that a degree in nursing opens doors for more jobs than most other degrees these days. I know nurses in research, sales, working for insurance companies, etc. The one constant in nursing is that you can go anywhere in the US and use your degree. That's not true for engineering, marketing, etc. I think a lot will change in health care in the next 2-4 years and jobs won't be so scarce. meredith

Go for your BSN, many big city hospital don't hire ASNs, this makes you more marketable. If you don't start until 2011 by the time you finish the recession should be over and depending on what happens with health care reform there could be more jobs or less not sure. Either way sometimes you have to start in doctor's office or be willing to go to places that have more of a demand for nurses, be flexible.

I agree that it helps to know the right people... that can be accomplished through working as a CNA or tech while in school in the type of setting you'd like to work in as an RN. By the time you graduate, they will already know and trust you and be more likely to hire you for any opening they might have. Also, use your resources throughout school. Clinical instructors often work part/full time in addition to teaching, and may be able to help with letting you know about openings and putting in a good word for you/being a reference.It may not be as easy as people might have imagined when they heard all the hoopla about a nursing shortage and decided to go to school, but it's definitely not impossible to find a job, and one you love. If you believe you are meant to be a nurse, don't give up on it!

Only recently, have I ever had the advantage of knowing someone. I got a job in LTC as a RN mostly because of my experience, and the fact that the DON and I worked together in a hospital back in the 80's. She knew what I had experienced.

Thanks guys. I made the personal decision to get my A.D.N firstthen - hope to get into a RN to MSN program that awards a BSN along the way. I want to be a nurse asap that's just how bad I want it. I want to go ahead and learn what I need to know and worry about the extra genereal ed and advanced science/nursing courses later when I get some experience. I also want to be able to support myself when I return to get my MSN not just starting out and having to get a year of experience and more to save up for school. Thanks for your comments again keep them coming.