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A lot of hospitals need nurses.... But due to the economy a lot of hospitals put caps on how many nurses they could have (so basically hospitals have a limited budget that they can have to pay their nurses). A lot of hospitals are cutting corners and getting rid of nurses aids and putting more responsibility on other healthcare workers to pick up the slack like PT and OTs. Pharmacy is a good field but that job market is becoming saturated as well and I heard that they extended their program to 7 years (might as well become a doctor).
Look into a career field where you will get a license. I believe that a license will provide more of a stability than a bachelors degree. I read an article where they stated that careers that are here to stay are law enforcement, school teachers, nurses and doctors. But really due to the economy a lot of career paths seem unstable.
I am a Respiratory Therapist. Granted it isn't as option filled as nursing but I don't think it is as stressful and does have some options-- hospital, home health, long term ventilator facility, sleep lab tech, pulmonary function and rehab...I actually have an office job now doing oxygen testing remotely over the phone. I love it!!!
My pay has always been good for the amt of work I have to actually perform. I also have a bachelor's degree and worked as a Software Tester full time while going to school. I took a bit of a pay cut but I am much more fulfilled and enjoy helping people--especially my elderly clients!
A lot of hospitals need nurses.... But due to the economy a lot of hospitals put caps on how many nurses they could have (so basically hospitals have a limited budget that they can have to pay their nurses). A lot of hospitals are cutting corners and getting rid of nurses aids and putting more responsibility on other healthcare workers to pick up the slack like PT and OTs. Pharmacy is a good field but that job market is becoming saturated as well and I heard that they extended their program to 7 years (might as well become a doctor).
Look into a career field where you will get a license. I believe that a license will provide more of a stability than a bachelors degree. I read an article where they stated that careers that are here to stay are law enforcement, school teachers, nurses and doctors. But really due to the economy a lot of career paths seem unstable.
To become a nurse, you have to get a degree, at least an AAS. You get the license by passing the NCLEX exam.
Nursing jobs are tight right now, for the first time in my 40 year nursing career. Part of the reason is the recession. Supposedly this is a male-oriented recession, so as men lose their jobs, their spouses are keeping theirs, and not taking time off to raise families, etc. This should resolve as the recession eases, and the OP will have to be in school for at least two years anyway.
Do you think this tightness in the nursing field is a result of our nation having an increasing number of nurses or of hospitals trying to cut down on their labor costs?
I have wondered about the outlook for jobs in the health care field. Health care does not exist in a vacuum. If Americans are unemployed and don't have health insurance or inadequate health insurance, doesn't it make sense that they would have less money to spend on health care and that thus fewer health care workers would be needed? It seems like there must be a decrease in the demand for any discretionary health care consumption.
I think the main reason nursing jobs are tight is what I said in the post you quoted: the recession. I've read a number of articles stating that this is a "male" recession, ie, more men than women are getting laid off. The recession seems to be worst in areas that employ a lot of men: construction and all its related areas such as electricians, plumbers, painters and the like; IT which has been outsourced into oblivion, and so on. So the nurses who are the spouses of these people hang on to their jobs when they might otherwise take some time off to raise their families, retire early and such. People losing health insurance isn't helping, either. There are not a lot of new jobs being created at the moment.
I think the main reason nursing jobs are tight is what I said in the post you quoted: the recession. I've read a number of articles stating that this is a "male" recession, ie, more men than women are getting laid off. The recession seems to be worst in areas that employ a lot of men: construction and all its related areas such as electricians, plumbers, painters and the like; IT which has been outsourced into oblivion, and so on. So the nurses who are the spouses of these people hang on to their jobs when they might otherwise take some time off to raise their families, retire early and such. People losing health insurance isn't helping, either. There are not a lot of new jobs being created at the moment.
Good post; I do believe that EVENTUALLY many of these young nursing graduates will find work, if for no other reason than simple demographics: our nation is getting older, and will require more care , as a general statement. They might have to wait a little, though because many older nurses are holding onto their jobs for the paycheck AND the corresponding health insurance benefits, for themselves and their families.
I have to admit, as I walk through the large teaching hospital where I work, that I don't see a large number of VERY young nurses; some, to be sure, but not overwhelming..
Good post; I do believe that EVENTUALLY many of these young nursing graduates will find work, if for no other reason than simple demographics: our nation is getting older, and will require more care , as a general statement. They might have to wait a little, though because many older nurses are holding onto their jobs for the paycheck AND the corresponding health insurance benefits, for themselves and their families.
I have to admit, as I walk through the large teaching hospital where I work, that I don't see a large number of VERY young nurses; some, to be sure, but not overwhelming..
My friend's daughter, new grad, found a job after about 9 months of looking. She did work at a nursing home until she found a hospital job, and it wasn't in the area she wanted (peds), but it's a start.
Health Information Management or Technology!!!!!! Google it if you do not believe! Alise - have you considered polysomnography (sleep tech)??? Another high demand job, perfect for RRTs!
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