Was it hard to enter your profession?

Nursing is a competitive profession, even with the continued need for more in our communities.

you will likely find 2 obstacles when seeking our a degree and a job:

1. Nursing schools are competitive! Good grades, community involvement, and positive recommendations are all essential. Schools are only accepting a certain number of students each year for their program. All others who are not chosen are placed on a waiting list.

You very well might have a spot in the future, but unfortunately, the list is quite a long one. Most people cannot wait around and often seek out other schools or professions. It’s always smart to apply to as many schools as possible to avoid this common problem.

there are other schools that offer immediate admission and do not have a waiting list. They are not big and well known universities, but they are accredited and can provide the education required to obtain a valid nursing degree.

I went this route, as I was unable to risk waiting. I was skeptical and heard many negative things about these “underdog” schools, but I went ahead and did it knowing that it would be my only option.

i will tell you, it doesn’t matter what school you attend, you will only get back what you whole heartedly put into it. I had great professors and a passion to learn. No cutting corners. I came out with a degree, obtained my license, and accepted a job in a highly competitive nurse residency program. I feel confident in my education and my clinical experiences. I was quick to adapt to being on the floor and see the value of the experiences I went through.

So if you don’t get in to the big university you dreamed of...... don’t stop there. If nursing is your passion, then there are other options that will 100% get you where you want to be. It’s up to YOU. The school just gives you the tools to do it.

2. The second problem would be after graduation upon obtaining your license and your first job.

The practice now is that new graduate nurses must go through a residency program to work in a hospital. The residency serves to give new nurses a chance to transition into a professional nurse and gain the experience needed to provide care. They are essential.

However, with nurses graduating from many many schools; they are also all applying to these same jobs. Another competitive and quite frustrating process. Once again, grades, experiences, and community involvement are essential keys to standing out above the rest. There are hundreds of new nurse who are applying to the same program you will be, but with only 30-60 spots to fill. There are many programs but it is still difficult and can take some time before you land a job.

the hospital I was accepted into only had a 6% ...yes, SIX.... acceptance rate into their program. There were 500 hundred other applicants besides myself. It was a shot in the dark, but I got it thanks to all the hard work I put into my nursing program. They didn’t care what school I attended....it simply didn’t matter. I had to show them in an interview that I was much more than what was on a piece of paper.

there are many many other positions that new grads can get into that are outside the hospital. Home health is a big one and always in need.

i do not present these issues as obstacles, but only to provide you some insight of what would be ahead. There are no obstacles if you are doing what you feel you are meant to do and you are giving it your all. The employers will see this. Passion is the key, not the school. If you want it you will find a way!!

I wish you all the best!