For those facing unemployment or just want a career change, it’s a great time to consider nursing.

For any industry, surviving the recession, layoffs, a changing job market and the technology revolution is tough. Many who thought they were set for life are now starting over. And for those who have been out of college for a while, or never went in the first place, stepping onto a college campus can be a terrifying experience.

Before signing up for classes, check out the local educational options, such as public or private two or four-year colleges, and ask whether you need an advanced degree or certificate to achieve your goals.

Before settling on a career path, those in-the-know recommend looking at a field, like health care, that is in high demand now and will be in the future. The Department of Labor’s web site offers a short and long-term look at national employment trends. The ideal situation is to select a field that’s growing and is in need of people to fill empty slots for some time to come,  says Kimberly Porter, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Arkansas For Nursing president.

Melissa Jackson, the enrollment coordinator at Baptist Health Schools of Little Rock (BHSLR), says the there has been an increase in the number of students who are signing up. The college offers seven health care programs, which is a big draw for new students, many of whom are nontraditional. 

“Our fall enrollment has increased by 14% since last fall. This increase is mostly in the school of nursing, particularly in Registered Nursing. We are receiving an increase in applications this year also. We continue to encourage those interested in pursuing a career in the medical field to check us out and apply early,” Jackson says.

Dr. Sue McLarry, chair of the college of nursing at Arkansas State says they are also seeing an increase in the number of students. At the main campus in Jonesboro, she sees more traditional students, but says there has been an influx of nontraditional students at the school’s satellite campuses. 

Teresa Phillips, nurse recruiter at SPARKS Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, says she’s seeing more second-career nurses. In her area, people who suddenly find themselves in the unemployment line are making the most of their unfortunate situation through continued education.

For many, it’s a chance “to do a job they always wanted to do,” she says. “A lot of our recent applicants have said that they are changing careers or have lost jobs due to the economy. They see healthcare as a more stable source of employment. My advice to those who are thinking about making a change or may be fresh out of high school and thinking about entering the healthcare field is to talk to people who are already working as nurses, laboratory technicians, therapists, etc. Schedule an appointment to talk with admissions representatives to find out more about the school you are interested in and what it takes to be a qualified applicant,” Jackson says.

Different degrees
Not all of the programs at BHSLR require a four-year college degree. 

“Our programs vary in length. There are one-year certificates and two-year associate degrees,” Jackson says.

For those who are LPNs or paramedics, BHSLR will be offering an online degree this January.

One problem, Jackson says, is that there is a shortage of nursing instructors. Although BHSLR is set, other institutions aren’t doing so well. Many institutions are encouraging experienced nurses to move to the front of the class. 

Teaching hospitals and colleges are also experiencing a nurse educator shortage as more students sign up for classes in response to the nursing shortage reported by Arkansas’s medical community.

Working as a nurse instructor at one of Arkansas’s teaching hospitals or colleges is a rewarding way to pass along experience and knowledge. And as more students enroll in nursing programs, the need for more instructors grows. Both Baptist Health and UALR are on the lookout for qualified nurse educators.

“It’s a great option for those looking for a change of pace,” says Porter.

Before you get started
For high school students or those who aren’t sure about a career in nursing, Jackson recommends attending one of their Career Nights or Spotlights.

“We have on-campus events for prospective students to see the campus and talk with our faculty about the different programs of study we offer,” Jackson says.

Also, for those on the fence about nursing, Jackson recommends shadowing a nurse.

“It will give you an idea of what nursing is all about,” she says.

UAMS offers an externship program. The eight-week summer program is specifically designed for students who have completed a foundation course, one clinical rotation and plan to work at UAMS after graduation.

Each student accepted into the program is required to work the same schedule as their assigned preceptor, or mentor. 

This means they will be expected to work 12-hour day or night shifts, with weekend schedules, and students are required to attend bi-weekly two-hour seminars.

This program isn’t for the weak or faint-hearted.

“These are my shining stars,” says UAMS nurse recruiter Susan Erickson. “It is a serious, no-nonsense program, and student nurses are expected to work hard.”

This program is also a benefit a student’s future employer. The student is already familiar with the work environment – the demands, staff, various hospital departments and more. 

In other words, it’s the kind of firsthand knowledge a student can’t learn by reading a book.

With second-career students there are a different set of concerns, including worries about meeting classroom or technological demands, and they often need night or weekend class times and online options.

Often, returning students are hesitant and don’t feel very confident, but despite their inexperience most professionals agree these students often prove themselves when it comes to academics.

Because of the real-world experience, Jackson says, “they often prove to be the best students.”

“Don’t discount your dreams,” Jackson says. “Nursing offers a stable, great-paying job. At the end of the day, you feel like you’ve done something that counted.”

New nurses at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff now have one more challenge to meet before working the floors on their own. JRMC recently opened the Nursing Education Transitional Unit , better known as the NET-U. 

Patients in this four-bed unit are cared for by new nurses as well as trained RN preceptors who monitor and assist the new hires. 

Their goal is to make sure new employees are properly trained, not only in nursing skills but in JRMC’s specific policies and procedures. As a result, nurses will feel more confident when they begin their individual assignments, and patient care and satisfaction will also increase.

The hospital has also launched a support group for new nursing graduates, to provide a venue for open discussion about the questions and concerns that arise during the first year of a nursing career.

Both of these new programs are extremely beneficial to nurses who have been out of the work force for a number of years and are returning to JRMC.

The bottom line
At some point when a nontraditional student is looking at college options, the question of cost is bound to rear its ugly head.

While most people are aware of financial aid, whether state aid, loans or scholarships available to high school students, many nontraditional students lack an awareness of the financial aid that’s available to them.

There are several options for the nontraditional student, and anyone who is considering a training or degree program should talk with a professional about financial aid.

Also, ask about financial aid that is specific to your circumstances. For instance, there are programs designed specifically for high school graduates, parents, mothers, members of the military and more.

Besides programs such as Arkansas Career Pathways and student loans, many employers offer to foot the bill for part, or all, of college classes their employees successfully complete.

Each year, the White River Health System Foundation awards scholarships to LPNs studying to become RNs. 

The goal of these scholarships is to relieve some of the financial burden of students seeking career advancement and encourage education among men and women who devote their careers to saving lives and improving the lives of others through nursing.

“It’s a great way for LPNs to advance their careers,” says Batesville’s White River Medical Center’s, Nurse Director and Magnet Coordinator Michelle Bishop, RN, MSN.

In central Arkansas, the UAMS College of Nursing is leading an innovative effort to raise the number of college-educated geriatrics nurses in Arkansas nursing homes thanks to $250,000 awarded by the national Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future (PIN) program to a collaboration led by the Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF).

The bulk of the funds will go to the UAMS College of Nursing. 

“Nursing homes in Arkansas already are in great need of nurses with baccalaureate degrees and geriatrics expertise. Without significant effort, we risk neglecting a generation of seniors who will need those specially trained nurses,” said UAMS’ Claudia Beverly, Ph.D., R.N., who will oversee the project. 

“That’s why I am so excited about this grant. We have an opportunity to really strengthen the quality of care and quality of life in nursing homes through a better prepared geriatrics nurse work force.”