The year 2021 impacted the lives of every person in the world. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had long-lasting impacts and will continue to affect individuals for years to come. The pandemic could not have been survived without the knowledge, compassion, and service of medical staff, especially that of nurses. Due to the recent events of our world, however, there is an unfortunate nursing shortage in 2021. Because of this nursing shortage, there will be vast employment opportunities for nursing students.
The nursing shortage makes way for a vast array of employment opportunities for current nursing students. Most nursing students find themselves thrust into action as soon as they pass the employee background check. It’s a situation with several pros and cons.
Advantages to immediate employment for nursing students include the potential for direct experience in several areas of interest. Often, nursing students are assigned work where they are needed, rather than where they want to be. However, with the nursing shortage, there is demand almost everywhere. Because of this, nursing students will be able to gain experience in their areas of interest.
In previous years, nurses have had to accept jobs in units wherever they needed work. For example, a nurse who had their primary interest in pediatrics may have had to settle for work in a nursing home simply because this is the only place they could find a job. In 2021, the nursing shortage opens opportunities for employment in all specialties. Nurses may not have to wait until they have a few years of experience in a field they do not enjoy in order to move to a position they want.
Additionally, immediate employment for nurses implies that financial needs will be met. Most of today’s nursing students will graduate with debt for their schooling. When employment begins directly after schooling, nurses can start paying back their debt and start their nursing careers with a solid financial foothold. A regular paycheck starting shortly after graduation will also reduce financial stress. Immediate employment also allows for earlier retirement and more opportunities to save money for future expenses. Overall, gaining great experience right away and gaining financial independence are significant benefits to immediate employment opportunities for nursing students.
While the advantages to immediate employment are substantial, there are some hazards to note as the nursing shortage continues. Nurses are typically dealt with difficult situations in the workplace. Unfortunately, the risk of burnout for today’s nurses continues to be an ongoing threat. With recent graduate nursing students, they may be eager to hit the ground running and jump into the workforce. However, the risk comes when new nurses take on too much and cannot have a healthy work-life balance. New nurses need time to develop their boundaries and set personal limits to avoid burnout. Hiring right out of school makes it difficult for nursing students to have the time to create these for themselves. Another disadvantage to immediate employment includes a lack of experience for these nurses before starting their new job. Previously, nurses who had difficulty finding jobs would spend time volunteering to gain valuable experience before a paid position. By being offered jobs directly out of schooling, nurses lack practical experience going into their first official role in the nursing environment.
For today’s workers, it’s evident there will be an abundance of jobs available due to the 2021 shortage of nurses. There are advantages and disadvantages to immediate employment for nursing students, including positive experience and the risk of burnout. Upcoming nurses will need to make confident and positive decisions when choosing their work in today’s world.
