Nursing: A Recession Proof Job Market

This is article that appears in CNNmoney.com. http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/25/news/economy/nurse/index.htm?section=money_latest.

The article discusses how professionals in other fields are considering a career in nursing because of the demand for nurses and recession. A career in nursing because of the multiple entry levels to practice is considered a quick fix. A year or two of additional education, pass the NCLEX, and you are a nurse.  You can make $45,000-100,000 a year or more.

I must admit, I am not one of those folks who wanted to be a nurse since I was 3 years old. When I graduated from high school I planned to study pre-law. My paternal grandmother who had worked in a hospital for decades, said "there are too many lawyers already, be a nurse." I was 17 years old. I did what my grandmother told me. Thank God, for grandmothers. I was a 17 y/o single mother and my grandmother saw nursing as a good fit for me.

I think everyone should consider a career where you have financial stability. I encourage everyone to consider a career in nursing or healthcare as a licensed healthcare professional. (No I am not trying to drum up additional business). 

However student nurses and nurses regardless of their background, education, and career path prior to nursing must be socialized into the practice of professional nursing. I don't think this occurs for the most part. 

In my opinion, we are not being socialized into the professional practice of nursing. If more nurses were familiar with the legal, self, and professional components of nursing regulation as delineated in Nursing's Social Policy Statement, had an awareness of the ANA Code of Ethics, National, Specialty, and State Scopes and Standards of Practice, and actually read the State Nurse Practice Act and Board of Nursing regulations, I might have to find a new position! 

Do you think nurses are being socialized into the professional practice of nursing? Were you? Do you see nursing as a recession proof job market?