Juniper Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 This was a career field I was interested in a few years ago and had done all my pre-reqs for. It may be a doable thing for me to return to, but I somewhat remember hearing something about the future of nursing in America not being as profitable field in the future. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 W/aging boomers, it's only going to go up in demand, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 And a very flexible field. Peds, hospice, management, teaching. A good nurse is a very valued commodity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 The demand is there for nurses but from what I've seen the rate of salary growth has slowed down. Hospitals are cutting nurse's pay in subtle ways-for example I am at work right now. In the past we were paid holiday pay (time and a half) from 7am 12/31 through 7am 1/2. (So all of 12/31 and 1/1) Now holiday pay doesn't kick in until 3 pm 12/31 and ends 11 pm on 1/1. Sounds like a little thing, but it makes a difference. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 But it is a very good career for a homeschooling mom-flexible hours and adequate pay. Enough to keep us in curricula. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that: "Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of technological advancements; an increased emphasis on preventative care; and the large, aging baby-boomer population who will demand more healthcare services as they live longer and more active lives." I have heard that Nurse Practitioners with advanced degrees are going to be particularly in demand because fewer and fewer MD's are going into primary care. Obamacare is going to increase the demand because more people will have insurance coverage. DH's cousin was interested in becoming a pediatrician but decided to become a NP instead because the education and training was way shorter but the pay was not that much less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'm a nurse and I think the demand is only going to go up. The hospital I work at right now is at capacity and has opened the overflow unit. We are literally begging staff to work overtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 The U.S. Department of Labor indicates that the demand for registered nurses will grow 26% by 2020, much faster than the national average. That's over 700,000 new jobs. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great online resource. I do recommend that you go for an RN as opposed to an LPN - there are many more career doors open that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'm an RN, BSN and It is nearly impossible for me to find work here in CA. There is not a shortage of nurses. There is a shortage of hospitals willing to pay nurses and keep staffing levels safe. I've noticed here in So. Cal I see a huge number of overseas nurses hired over local nurses. I can only assume it's because the hospitals can pay less. I would like to get back to the bedside, but to be honest I don't know if I want that kind of overwhelming stress anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicMom Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 It depends on where you are. Most of the hospitals in my area are short staffed and always hiring. Two are offering 10-15,000 dollar signon bonuses for certain specialties. All are offering student loan paybacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniper Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share Posted January 1, 2013 I love the replies and on the ground responses you can get her at the Hive! Thank you all so much and keep them coming!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 RNs are always in demand. The pay is excellent, the hours are flexible, and your options are pretty wide open. The only problem I've seen is practices/clinics not wanting to spend money on an RN and instead hiring a whole bunch of med techs, and then expecting the RN to supervise them. Most people don't go into nursing to do hours of paperwork, so be sure to shop around when you're looking for employment. The more education and the more specialized your training, the better your prospects....and the less likely that a tech or an LPN will be able to do your job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 My best friend from Jr High and High school is a nursing manager at the medical center. It has allowed her to raise her son, and save for a nice retirement, but I get the idea it is very high stress. Let me know if you want her contact info to ask any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 but I get the idea it is very high stress. This is really up to the individual. Other people think it makes the shift go very fast, and without boredom. There is also a strong buddies-in-the-trenches-together feeling unless you work with a nasty person. Even a nasty person throws the rest of you together, because most nurses are great people trying to get a job done, and know that a nasty in the midst just slows you down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 My boss's wife is an RN at a major city hospital. The hospital has seriously cut staffing levels. They have done many things over the years that has made the job harder and harder. I understand this is a common trend with many hospitals. I have a neighbor who had a difficult time securing a job as an RN when she first moved her 5 years ago. She's an RN, but also some kind of instructor. She's now part time with a local medical practice and part time teaching at a local university. The newspaper had an article last year about the trend in hiring nurses from foreign countries. I think there will always be jobs for RNs, but I think employers are making the job more difficult and more stressful. I think a lot of nurses are feeling stressed because there are demands they feel are compromising patient care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 My area is saturated and its difficult to find nursing jobs here, esp since there are three local programs (AARN, BSN, LVN) graduating nurses every semester. In addition, at least one of the three local hospitals is no longer hiring new grads and is hiring only BSNs from now on. However, I think there is more demand in other parts of the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 The San Francisco Bay Area has a nurse surplus and a lot of new grads are having a really hard time finding jobs, but I think areas like mine are pretty few and far between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 I'm a nurse. Jobs are still in demand in the city I work in even though it has a BSN and an ADN program. Other areas are saturated though. I would say it is a tough job, demanding and hard work, but like another poster said there is great camaraderie, the shift goes by quickly, you're rarely bored, and it pays fairly well. Still I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone. You have to be fairly high energy, very willing to study a lot during school, handle stress well, and be willing to clean up a variety of body fluids. It is physically very hard work (inpatient hospital). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reya Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Extremely high. Can have a much better ROI than a medical degree if you choose the right specialty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 If I was considering becoming a nurse, I would consider becoming a midlevel provider like a Physician's Assistant or Nurse Practitioner. Not a ton more schooling now that more and more new RNs are BSNs with a 4 year degree and quite a bit more pay and more options for specialities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 They will always be needed, but in areas near me and by friends (I have many RN friends and I used to work in medicine), the market is oversaturated and turnover is high. It's not a great market for job hunting even with a RN in many places. But that may change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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