I think I just might stay in school for the rest of my life....

[Snickerdoodle]

Really? I thought nursing was one of the easiest jobs to get into provided you have the necessary education to qualify for a position. I even thought about going into it once myself until I learned about the waiting lists.

It was...until about 5 years ago. Problem is, people are still thinking that it's easy to get a nursing job. Just google "new grad RN jobs" and you'll find threads of angry, disappointed new grads who can't find a job, even any job. Unfortunately I know a lot of jobless new grad RNs. The OP has some CNA experience, which will help, but I've heard of folks with such experience who are still facing challenges getting hired. The thing is, this economy has more of the older RNs back in the workforce, who normally would retire by now. And a few years back, hospitals were hiring new grads left and right and even putting them in charge positions because of the severe shortage. Now they've realized that new grads simply can't fill charge positions and are extremely cautious about new grads. One of the major healthcare provider systems in my area has explicitly forbidden any new grads from applying to open positions--and that provider is our largest teaching hospital. So yes, there is still a shortage, but employers have different mindsets now. However, those older RNs will have to retire eventually, whether they want to or not, so in a few years, the story will change. At least that's what I'm hoping, because I'm pre-nursing! banghead