[brian]

At nursing schools from New Jersey to California, a surge of applicants who could ease the nation’s worsening shortage of nurses are being turned away because many schools can’t find enough qualified professors.

That shortfall is driven by health-care jobs that offer better pay and by fewer nurses pursuing the Ph D required for full-time, tenured teaching positions. And, just as with the nurse work force, the faculty is graying. A wave of retirements is expected in about a decade when more care will be needed for aging baby boomers.

“I’m in dire straits in terms of faculty right now,” said Julie Bliss, chairwoman of the Department of Nursing at William Paterson University in Wayne...

Full Story: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-8-2004_pg6_16

[traumaRUs]

When I get my MSN (June 2005) I would like to teach clinicals. You are so right about the nursing shortage. A month ago my neighbor comes over, knocks on the door and asks if I have my masters yet? It turns out her sister is the dean of the college of nursing at the local university and she asked if my neighbor knows any nurses - talk about looking for applicants!!!

[hopeful student]

The shortage of Nursing teachers for the local institutues in my area are worsening. I recently applied to a community college and was rejected eventhough I had completed all prereq's with a total of 3.2 GPA. After my application was declined I have transfered to a local university where the Nursing board only accepts 30 people. I will be applying to the university's program in two months but the chances of me being accepted are very slim. Right now I have been on a waiting list for three months just to take one prereq class that is required before acceptance into the program. It has been a very frustrating process and I dont know what else to do. Im studying my tail off so I can boost my GPA to at least a 3.6 but what if Im rejected again? Do I still proceed onward for a third attempt eventhough I am 24 right now? I wish there was some way local hospitals could raise money or fund local nursing institutions but I guess that is a dream as well....

[traumaRUs]

A huge issue is the pay. I have 12 years of nursing experience, certified in my specialty and am pursuing an MSN. However, the pay for clinical instructors is less than I currently make!!! That is pathetic. Especially when they actually want PhD's to teach nursing. At 46, I can't take a pay cut.

[hopeful student]

First of all I think it is wonderful that you are pursuing a higher education! Ive talked to several people who have attained a bachelor degree and then grew so accustomed with their everyday life that bettering themselves academically became a far fetched dream. I hope that I have your endurance to continue forward with my education. As of now a BSN would be great As far as the pay cut goes, I dont blame the Nurses for not wanting to teach. Very few this day and age can take such a painful cut in pay. It's just sad to be involved in such a confusing experience. After my application was declined, the Engineering Dept. called and asked if I had thought about switching majors and honestly I was a little offended. I know that out of the other 700 people that didnt get accepted many changed career paths. Sad but true. This will just continue to add to the expected shortage of nurses. I turned on the television just the other day and the same school that turned down 700 people recently made a commercial on why you should study nursing at their school and then proceeded to interview other nurses about the advantages of being a nurse. Needless to say, I turned the television off.

[meesa214]

My school just had a mini crisis trying to find 1 more clinical teacher for my class. They finally hired someone THE DAY BEFORE clinicals started.

In our orientation, our teacher (an NP, 35 years experience as RN, etc etc.) told us that within 2years, we will be making more as hospital RNs than she does as a teacher.

It's sad.

[Sadie04]

Hopeful student, I'm sorry to hear you didn't get in this time, but please keep trying! I started my BSN program at 24 and finished in 2 1/2 years by taking classes in the summer and during semester breaks. We need good nurses out there!

[hopeful student]

Thank you Sadie for the encouragement. You did make me feel better . The only thing I can do now is leave my future up to God and pray for my dream to be fullfilled as becoming a nurse. Gosh, I almost want to get my PhD so I can help other students through this difficult process. Who knows what the future holds. I do have an interview with a fabulous hospital in my area to sign on as a volunteer on the med surg floor. Im hoping to learn a great deal while working on this floor despite my duty.
I am thankful to have found this website so I can glean a broader understanding and outlook to the advantages and disadvantages involved in a medically related enviorment. Thank you for your feedback and encouragement, it gives me the endurance to push onward as a hopeful student. Have a safe and relaxing long weekend.

[bobbiesal]

There may be a faculty shortage, but as a master's prepared nurse, who actually WANTS to get her PhD, I find more barriers than assistance.

For instance, at the University of Michigan Medical Center, they have a GREAT tuition reimbursement program, but clearly state PhD credits are not included for reimbusement.

When I applied for a CNS job at an academic institution where I worked for 9 years as a staff nurse, I was turned down because the DON was afraid I might "get my PhD & leave." Never mind I'd be working for them 4-5 years during that time, plus teaching their students!

I also am concerned that academia absolutely refuses to compete at all with salaries...why on earth would I or anyone else take a $10,000/year pay cut? The very least that could be done is to match current salaries...

I am becoming more discouraged daily about the profession I absolutely love! I see examples of nursing attacking nursing at every single level - I had honestly thought that would diminish at least a little by the time I reached the master's degree level...

I started out with an associate degree in nursing, and quite honestly, I'm wondering why in the world I struggled working full time, supporting a family as the primary breadwinner, taking on a part time job as well, and working my butt off for 6 years gaining higher degrees, just to learn that nurses STILL refuse to support eachother...? Perhaps I'd have been happier remaining a staff nurse working straight nights. At least it would have saved me the disillusionment. Now, even if I wanted to work as a staff nurse, I'm constantly turned down because I'm 'overqualified.'

Nursing shortage? Faculty shortage? Then why are the people who enjoy the work, who WANT to do the work, who LOVE nursing, being turned away???

[traumaRUs]

Hopeful student - keep plugging away. You are nursing's future.

bobbiesal - I hear what you are saying! It is very frustrating.