Discuss "Nursing...."

I do believe Nursing is essentially recession proof - I'm always amazed when I meet Nurses (RN) who say they can't find any work? I see this alot with traveler's especially. But I still encourage people to go into nursing.

Still nursing isn't for everyone! If you go into it just for the money you're not going to be happy. Even those few nurses who make 6 figures will tell you that the money is rarely worth the blood, sweat and tears that go into the job. You have to love what you do. My dad used to say this quote;(I'm not sure who said it originally) "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life!"

I've been a nurse for about 10 years. Prior to that even with a BA degree in English and business I was in and out of mostly low to mid level jobs. Since I became I nurse the only time I haven't worked is when I didn't want to. Even after going through addiction treatment and being "Labeled" as an Impaired nurse for a time I still had no trouble getting work. The trick is for nurses to be really flexible about what they do. It doesn't work if you stay too specialized. I've done Med/Surg, L&D, Psych, and now I work with developmentaly disabled adults.

My current job pays well, I'm my own boss, I have my own office and work in conjuction with an MD who is kind and respectful and trusts my judgement. it's basically 7a-3p (Occasional midnight phones calls,) One weekend on-call every 8 weeks and very family friendly. I got this one by answering a newpaper add that said "Nurses? TIRED OR WORKING OVERTIME AND WEEKENDS"

My patients - we actually call them consumers - are mostly high functioning and happy and so am I.

So yes I do believe nursing is recession proof.

Hppy

Let me fist say, I am glad people are interested in nursing. However, I am not overly joyed when some enter our profession just to have a job.

It will take more to stay in.. This is not to say after they become nurses they will not be the best there is. It not to say some already in it is for the right reasons.

I just don't want our profession to become only a means to an end.

In this forum, and in others, all I read is how people can't get work in nursing these days. I work as a contractor for the military at a military hospital, so I'm not out in the job market like I was when I traveled.

But what I'm hearing is that the jobs exist. The nursing shortage is still there; hospitals simply aren't filling their vacant positions.