This Economy Is Affecting Nurses

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 27, 2009

I have heard that some of the hospitals in my area (Northern Virginia) are no longer hiring LPNs, and are hiring RNs only. And more often I've seen posts from new grads on this site saying that they cannot get a job ... however, sometimes it seems that the more tenacious applicants who call often or drop by in person end up with something, even if it isn't their "dream job."

Sorry you had such a hard time with the NCLEX. I'm probably rehashing the past, but did you take an NCLEX prep course? And are you able to take the NCLEX-RN again? If your area isn't hiring LPNs, it might be something to consider.

piratemum · Mar 27, 2009

This Economy Is Affecting Nurses

Hi there. I am considering nursing school & am working on the pre-reqs and entrance tests at this time. Since I will be paying for schooling from my family's budget, I am very concerned about finding work upon graduation.

So, I called the local hospitals and have been watching job postings for RN graduates. Its skinny here in the state of Maine. When I talked to nurse recruiters [i called 5], they are telling me that hospitals that used to start recruiting as early as February, haven't starting calling yet. Last year's graduating class [2008] all found work but it wasn't their favorite assignment or first hospital of choice. Some had to piece 2 part time jobs together.

They anticipate this issue resolving over the next 2 years. What is happening is the State owes the local hospitals millions in reimbursements. They still NEED nurses but cannot afford to hire them.

I also checked rates of pay and have already job shadowed at my hospital of choice. I fell in love with the people - so I am praying a job in there for me when I'm ready

JoycMarr · Mar 27, 2009

Was this hospital not hiring LPNs, or not hiring nurses at all? It's not uncommon for hospitals to replace LPN positions with RN as they open up, etc. Many hospitals are trying to go toward this trend.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2009

I graduated in 2004 with an ADN. Five years later I am down a grand and counting. During the intervening years I made my plan B to get more education just in case I never passed that test. Became a Certified Health Education Specialist with a Masters in Health. Still, that NCLEX was a thorn in my side. So much so that I had identification issues (another forum). So I decide to become some kind of nurse and take the NCLEX-PN and passed with flying colors--85 questions and the computer shut off. And get this, I thought I failed it! So I pay for the quick results (NC res) and got the great news. I am just as excited as if I passed the RN. WhooHoo! So with my partially type A personality I decide to get a part time job since the hubby is deploying (still another forum). Imagine my shock when I call HR at the county hospital and they tell me they are at 100% for nurses and will not be hiring LPNs at this time! What the H is going on? When I graduated nursing school they were banging down my doors to hire me and my classmates. We have always been able to obtain a job. What is going on? Has anyone else (newly licensed PN and RN) experienced something like this? At first I thought it was just for PN due to being a 'new licensee' with no experience. Not so in my area. We are suffering many budgetary cuts statewise also. Two weeks ago I couldn't pay a nurse to send me a resume. This week I interviewed four nurses for 2 positions I have open. Unreal. Two of them told me directly they had been laid off due to economy issues by their organizations and neither one worked at the hospital. The third was school nurse who was in a district that downsized and they were the first to go. The fourth was re-careering in education due to 25% increase in patient workload and no new hires to compensate. I would love to know what is happening in any other areas in order to have data for my needs assessment.

I'm sorry, I can't understand if you're an RN who took the LPN test, or if you're a manager trying to hire nurses. The way you worded this post is very confusing.

keigei · Mar 27, 2009

I am so sorry for being confusing. I am an ADN graduate which equals RN when you pass the NCLEX. I took the PN after not passing the RN test four times. I am a Community Health Executive Director and Certified Health Education Specialist and I work for a large health services company. In my division I have two job openings for RNs. I recently interviewed four out of work RNs for the two positions I have open. I hope this is clear.

amjowens · Mar 27, 2009

It all depends on what part of the country (or even what part of a particular state) you live as to whether nurses are affected by the economy. It's interesting to see the number of people wanting to go into nursing because they think health care is recession-proof. The media feeds this idea. The only shortage seems to be the number of hospital opening for clinical students and the number of instructors and preceptors. Those positions require experience, as do most of the jobs that are posted for nurses. New grads are having a VERY tough time finding jobs in my area. NO different from any other profession at the moment.

I'm a new grad LPN, and got a job an hour from where I live. I only work part-time, as I go to school full-time in a regular ADN program (first semester). The people I graduated with from the LPN who have jobs are the ones who worked as aides where they work, and I'm talking about nursing homes. One student who worked years as a tech in a hospital ended up getting a LPN job there, but the hospital is otherwise not hiring LPNs. Hospitals pretty much don't have LPNs here.

If I were you, I'd study full-time for your NCLEX-RN, and get a job maybe part-time in a nursing home if any are hiring in your area (even these are competitive in my area).

Plucker · Mar 27, 2009

Well, I recently got "displaced" with my hospital RN position. Our unit and sister unit have had a less than desirable census and are now merging. Based off seniority (not experience) I along with several day and night shift RN's as well as all our LPNs are without a place on the new unit. They say there are enough jobs in the system to absorb us,but it is up to us to apply and interview for the positions. And get this...I've always worked days and now I'll have to go to nights because there are no day shift positions available. So in 2 weeks I will be off the schedule and we just were informed of the changes this week.

So that's how I've been effected by the recent economy.