An Over-population of nurses?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello, does any one think that there is any chance that since students are being pushed towards nursing, because they rae told what a great profession it is, what great benefits you have, and that there is an extreme shortage, that we may possibly become over populated. I hope not, but am concerned because at my school alone it seems everyone, especially females, are turning to nursing because they are basically being told, that I fear that by time I graduate I may have a hard time finding a job? what do you all think??:p :D

Kona - I sent you a PM with a question for you.

Thanks

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

ROXANNE excellent post. I too think there is a "plot" of sorts, to bring in international nurses at a cheaper rate by hospitals. And it's happening right under many of our noses. It's really scary.

I think the market could change but not becuase allot of ppl want to be nurses. I started school 10 years ago and back then 800 out of 1300 students entering were working on the prereques for nursing . When I went back 2 years ago it was the same thing. If you ask most of those in prereqs why they are going into nursing you'll see why most dont make it all the way. you hear stuff like "becuase nurses make big $$ and the work is easy" or " I want to save the world" or "well I really want to go into (insert silly dream here) and I think nursing would help me get there".

I have a hard time being nice to ppl that say they want to be a nurse but really have no idea about the profession. I know I know I was there once too but they are ao silly.

anyway I think the real threat to nursing employability is all the losening of BoN's rules. It hasent happend here yet but every year there is some dumb ass trying to get a rule allowing hospitals to pull people off the street give them a short training and then slap an RN badge on them. This past year the guy doing it wasent even involved in health care he was just some rich man with lotsa stock in healthcare companies. Its scary but we all have to keep an eye out and keep it from happening.

My approach on the subject, as a pre clinical student.... go into nursing because you enjoy nursing and try to avoid all other reasoning along the lines of an over population. If you enjoy your chosen profession, you will not need to worry.

Specializes in oncology.

WOW. there have been a lot of very diverse replies to my question. Well, thank you to everyone and this has definetly gave me some things to think about!

Debi (student deb)-

I sent you a pm reply to the questions.

:cool:

~kona

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

ROXANNE excellent post. I too think there is a "plot" of sorts, to bring in international nurses at a cheaper rate by hospitals. And it's happening right under many of our noses. It's really scary.

We got several Filopino nurses just starting. They are going to ease our dependency on high priced agency nurses. But you got me curious. I wonder how I can discretely ask them if their rate of pay. I think they are getting new grad pay, which is what they are, new grads.

We have a traveler from Austrailia who told the story of her agency and how they signed a contract for $20.00 an hour, which was way below the rate for experienced nurses in Sacramento which was where her assignment was. It was a very long contract. She was thinking that in Austrailian terms she was getting a good deal, but didn't know the rates for nurses at that hospital and in the area in general was so much higher.

So I'm sure you're right.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I don't like abuse or people being used, and I feel that is a great possiblity with the import of international nurses by our hospitals. It's a situation that bears watching and I won't put it past them ....

There have been numerous stories in the news about foreign nurses and how they have been taken advantage of. And its not just a recent thing. At a hospital i worked at in LA during the late 80s, there was a Danish nurse there, and she was being paid less, and being given all kinds of s***t. But they were dangling the promise of a green card over her head, plus if she quit at that time she'd lose her visa.

There is all kinds of stuff going on. A lot of nurses are so happy to be here and hope to stay, that they willingly sign on to these long contracts and then they are at the mercy of the hospital. If they quit, then back they go. Plus, in some cases, they may even owe the agency money if they don't stick it out.

You really have to wonder about this. Hospitals are spending $10,000 a head to recruit nurses from India. Wouldn't that money be better spent on retaining their staff, and improving working conditions so they wouldn't have a staffing problem in the first place? There are enough American nurses to fill every position. The question is--do hospitals want American nurses?

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

I don't like abuse or people being used, and I feel that is a great possiblity with the import of international nurses by our hospitals. It's a situation that bears watching and I won't put it past them ....

Shew ! What if "they" had it planned ALL ALONG ? As in for many, many years already? Make it harder and harder for us... more for less, more with less, just to really get us up in arms and ready to quit...

and all the time moving ever so quietly toward their secret goal... get rid of us (who are arrogant, demanding, and have the unabashed audacity to ask to be respected!) while having their plan in place to slip in the foreign workers just as quick as we move out ... they might already have them on waiting lists by the thousands ! :eek: And pay them just one third of what they were paying us ! Well,.... maybe half... well,.. maybe not !

Remains to be seen.

Thanx, Deb ! Now I get to dwell on THIS lovely little thought awhile...

:( ;)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

sorry jnette---it's been on my mind a LONG time---

at least since my first year in nursing. And it is worrisome, indeed. I am surprised more don't see this for what it is and raise some flags and get upset.

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

There is a shortage of nurses who desire to do patient care because, largely, the way we are treated and not respected as well as nursing's push to shove everyone into degree status..Many of those people wish to work in management or ancillary positions not connected with direct patient care. That is too bad, because direct patient care is where the most "nursing" is needed.....How ironic that in the old days I was happy to hear that people intended to go into nursing. Now a days when someone tells me that, I have to fight the urge to tell them not to...

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