Three Ways New Nurses Can Beat the Recession
The web is teeming with dire reports of mass layoffs and rocketing unemployment rates. Although nursing may not have been hit as hard as other professions, it's still scary to contemplate the recession-pocked job market that awaits after graduation from nursing school. "I worry I won't be able to find a job," one LPN confesses. "I quit my nursing job to go back to school and become an RN, and now that things are so bad with the economy, I'm wondering if I made the right choice."
A BSN nursing student found out that he passed his final exams with flying colors...on the same day that he was laid off from his job in a critical care unit. "I'm glad I took the chance to pursue higher education, because I definitely have more options now," he says. "But it's a rough time for health care workers in my state."
Are you having similar concerns? For a new nurse, there are three important things to keep in mind when job hunting.
1. Don't take statistics personally.
Hearing about the October mass layoffs at Cook County Health and Hospitals System in the Chicago area may throw you into a tizzy: seven hundred vacancies were eliminated and nearly 350 people were laid off. More job losses are expected in the following year. Does all this mean you might as well write off your dreams of a nursing career?
Before you panic, remember that the USA is a huge country. The economic climate varies across states and regions. Mass layoffs may make national headlines, but they do not necessarily affect the nursing job outlook in your specific area. It's a good idea to stay current with employment rates, job outlooks and economic predictions, but focus on the situation in your hometown to avoid needless concern. [Find Nursing Schools in Your State]
2. Think long-term.
Do your research on which nursing careers are unaffected by the problems facing nursing as a whole. Here's a hint: advanced practice nurses are not having any trouble finding jobs, nor will they. Why? Take the example of a nurse anesthetist. One of the most highly respected of all nursing positions, these advanced practice nurses are known to command six figure salaries. You'd think hospitals would be cutting these jobs first, right? Here's a hint: anesthetists do a similar job to anesthesiologists...who make even more money. Who do you think the hospitals are going to hire and retain?
Other advanced practice specialties include nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. If you feel intimidated by the idea of pursuing such lofty career goals when you're at the bottom of the career ladder, just remember that they all started in the same place as you. It might make more financial sense to invest in your education for a few more years if it will give you a permanent edge in the job market.
3. Nurse outside the box.
Maybe you didn't get your dream job right away. The hours and pay are not what you hoped for, and the chances for promotion are slim. Instead of throwing in the towel, consider yourself lucky to have a job. Some jobs are a better fit than others, but if you're serious about your nursing career, you'll stick with it for the long haul. It's easier to look for your dream job while you're already employed...and you're learning valuable on-the-job skills in the meantime. You'll have a wider range of options later in your career.
Also, be flexible. If you're offered a position that you've never considered--or that you didn't even know existed--jump at the chance to break new ground. You could take a position as a traveling nurse or work in a growing field, such as home health care or health informatics. Be open to unusual possibilities.
In addition to these three strategies, one of the best things you can do as a new nurse is keep in touch with your instructors, peers and mentors. You never know when an opportunity might arise. And remember: recessions don't last forever, but health care always needs nurses.
If you've been putting your nursing education on hold because of financial concerns, now is the time to send in your application to the nursing school of your choice. With billions of dollars slated for federal programs, you can afford your next nursing degree--whether it's a through an online LPN to RN program, RN to BSN completion program, an MSN, or a PhD in Nursing. And when you graduate, you'll enjoy the edge that an advanced degree gives you when it comes to opening up additional opportunities for your nursing practice.
The online nursing schools we feature have expert financial aid advisers available to help you find funds you qualify for, so be sure to explore accredited online nursing programs and request additional information directly from any of our featured schools. The information is free, but the benefits to your career are priceless!
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Thank for the Post ! So Many student worried about job. In this field, After completed course they get job or not? This type of information really helpful to them for motivation.
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