The RN jobs outlook for 2014 looks dismal, especially for new graduates confronting hospital job postings which state “no new grads.” We can blame the baby boomers for the fact that as many as 43% of new grads will not hold a job in 2014 within the profession they went to school for.
Since the recession, baby boomers have stuck to their nursing jobs. And there is no indication that they will finally let go and start retiring in 2014. While this is certainly bad news for RN grads, the oversupply of RNs could ultimately change the face of nursing for the better, and we’ll be able to thank the baby boomers for that too.
For the first time in the history of nursing, the BSN degree is becoming the new entry-level requirement for hospital RN jobs. In my opinion, this is exciting news for a profession that has been divided and harmed financially thanks to the low barriers to entry. Considering this is an era where physical therapy is moving toward the doctoral degree as the entry level for that profession, a BSN requirement is hardly overreaching for the healthcare provider who arguably has the most impact on the consumer. Not to mention physical therapists with PhDs earn $100,000.00 plus!
When the baby boomers, who represent 40% of RNs, do eventually decide to retire some of the smartest women of their generation will be gone – women who in 2014 would be choosing to be physicians, scientists or working at Google instead of becoming RNs.
I know and respect many ADN nurses, but it’s time for the nursing profession to stand up for itself and for the consumer. We should set high education standards now to start attracting the best and brightest women (and men) to be ready when the demand for RNs is high again. Soon the baby boomers will retire and need someone to take care of them. Then we’ll be looking for self-motivated, decision-makers capable of making life or death decisions in the middle of the night when no doctor or administrator is around – someone who can think, reason and react. Don’t you want them to be smart, educated and well paid? I know I do.
I’m Just Sayin’
P.S. Comment and share your opinion on the outlook for nursing jobs in 2014.
